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Rushcliffe announces update on preferred option for local councils shake-up

By Latifa Yedroudj, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

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Rushcliffe Borough Council is ready to formally outline its view on a major shake-up of Nottinghamshire councils.

Cllr Neil Clarke (Con), leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, presented an update on the changes – known as Local Government Reorganisation  – and the authority’s preferred options.

The full authority will meet for the extraordinary Full Council meeting on March 20 to discuss a report on the plans, with papers being published on Wednesday, March 12.

The report will outline the council’s preferred option, along with other potential options for reorganisation.

These have been developed following talks with the leaders of all Nottinghamshire local authorities.

There are three core options councillors will discuss at their Full Council meetings.

The first option is a new ‘unitary authority’ combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.

The second option is a new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.

The third option is for Nottingham city to remain a unitary authority, with a new single unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.

It is anticipated that Rushcliffe Borough Council will formally propose the first option, where the city will remain on existing boundaries and the remainder of the county comprise of two unitaries.

This would mean no part of Rushcliffe Borough would be part of a council covering the city.

Its second preferred option is to join Nottinghamshire County along with all the other districts and boroughs – while Nottingham City remains on its own.

Cllr Neil Clarke said in a statement on Rushcliffe Borough Council’s website: “My first priority is the residents of the Borough and the high quality of services they enjoy in the Borough and the County, while keeping Council Tax low.

“We do not want to see any reduction in services or any potential large increase in Council Tax.

“The County-only option would be our 2nd preference, however, the other alternative proposals, in their current form, are not acceptable to this Conservative-led Council.

“Rushcliffe Borough Council will fight to protect vital services for all its residents.

“Many adjoining areas face significant financial cutbacks and any attempt to join Rushcliffe with such Councils would lead to potential closure of services such as libraries, leisure centres and other community and amenity facilities.

“I emphasise our priority will always be the residents of the Borough of Rushcliffe and by endorsing the first preference of a ‘County 2 unitary’ model, will ensure our stable financial management remains fit for sustainable excellent services for our residents in the future, with high quality services remaining at the top of our agenda.”

The authority met in a full council meeting on Thursday, March 6 to discuss approving their budget proposals for the 2025 to 2026 financial year.

Presenting an update on the local government changes, Cllr Clarke said: “The Local Government Reorganisation discussion continues.

“The leaders have met several times and press releases have been issued, and you will recall there is an Extraordinary Council meeting scheduled for March 20, where there will be more detail put onto the proposals that we’ll be taking forward.

“The work will continue over the summer period.

“What we’re proposing on March 20 is only an interim list of proposals, they’re not an actual plan as such.

“The main submission won’t be until the end of November. A lot of work will carry on from the summer until November.”

Under the changes proposed by the Government, all nine existing local authorities in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be abolished to create new unitary councils with a higher population of residents.

The councils will hold Full Council meetings between 17 and 20 March to discuss their preferred options.

They will submit this to the Government on 21 March.

The government has given all councils a deadline of 28 November to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.