By Kit Sandeman, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to create a ‘strategic alliance’ for the East Midlands have been confirmed by Nottinghamshire County Council.
Leaders of the Nottinghamshire County Council held talks with counterparts in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire with the aim of creating a new authority which they hope could rival the West Midlands and Manchester.
The county leaders say they have ‘agreed to explore a Strategic Alliance that would create a unified voice for the region’.
In a joint statement the leaders of the four county councils said: “We believe we can achieve much more if we work together, particularly in the areas of connectivity, trade, investment and growth.
“A recent East Midlands Councils report showed that people in our area get the lowest government spending on economic development and transport in the country.
“Rail expenditure is in the region at just £91 per person compared to £746 per person in London and this will remain the case unless we join forces and make our voice heard.
“We want to work together to grow our economy so that we build on our strengths and tackle our challenges.
“We would work with our LEPs and Chambers and would be complementary to the Midlands Engine.
“The next stage in the plans will be to have further detailed talks to see how we can take the Strategic Alliance forward with a view to eventually being able to draw down powers and funding from Government.”
The leaders say the Strategic Alliance, which would include the four counties along with the cities of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, the Local Enterprise Partnerships and Chambers of Commerce, would focus on transport, infrastructure, jobs and strategic planning.
However ongoing talks between Derby and Nottingham city councils aim to create a ‘metro strategy’ which would incorporate areas between the two cities currently controlled by the counties.
And opposition parties have strongly criticised plans by the Conservative-led Nottinghamshire County Council.
The leader of the Labour group at Nottinghamshire County Council, Alan Rhodes, has attacked the county’s plans.
Councillor Rhodes, who represents the Worksop ward, called the plans ‘simply ridiculous’.
He said: “Labour is completely opposed to the creation of a so called ‘super council’ between the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
“Geographically, the area is far too big and the idea of such remote governance would not only destroy the identity of our Nottinghamshire towns and villages but would also mean the end of local decision making.
“It came a little bit out of the blue, we were only made aware of it in the media so it is a surprise.
“It doesn’t appear to me to be the best way of launching something like this; there’s a lot to discuss with districts and parishes and the residents of the county but there has been nothing to say what is actually being discussed.
“It’s been a bit shambolic to say the least.”
Councillor Rhodes indicated he will be ‘seeking answers’ from the leader of the council, councillor Kay Cutts, at the next meeting of the council later this month.
Jason Zadrozny leads the Ashfield Independents and is the councillor for the Ashfields ward as well as being the newly-appointed leader of Ashfield District Council.
He said: “It has always been my view decisions should be made as close to the people they affect as possible, so democratically it’s the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen.
“Although it’s devolution from national government it’s an evolution up to these combined authorities.
“The council agenda is that it will save money, but that’s twaddle – it’s back of a fag packet economics.
“Even if it does cost slightly more I think access to your local councillor and knowing that person is a price worth paying.”
Stephen Garner is the leader of the Ashfield Independent Forum which has four seats on the council and is in coalition with the Conservatives.
He said he will be talking to Kay Cutts about the issue next week, but that he is sceptical about devolution.
Councillor Gardner, who represents the Mansfield South ward, said he is in favour of unitary authorities.
He said: “I don’t think it will happen- they are always on about devolution this and that but none of them have ever got off the ground.
“I want unitary authority in Nottinghamshire but not this super four counties global thing they’re talking about.
“I think they should get rid of the districts and have two unitary authorities for north and south Nottinghamshire.
“When it comes to devolution I think we want Labour on board and everyone on board, you don’t want to have factions.
“You have got to do things with a bit of consensus.
“With all the other devolution things, a lot of them haven’t taken off; in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, it’s been a talking shop for years and nothing has really happened.”
