The Forum held an online meeting on 27 August to consider the consultation from the nine councils in Nottinghamshire on local government reorganisation.
It was noted that the formal consultation only considered two options – both of which would see Broxtowe merge with the City Council and either Gedling or Rushcliffe.
It was noted that the City Council had acted upon the Government relaxation of its own criteria to consider options that would redraw boundaries. Residents in the City area are also being consulted on an option that would see parts of Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe brought within expanded city boundaries.
It was noted that the report prepared for the nine councils by an independent consultant – PwC – showed that the spend per person within the City was some ÂŁ270 per year higher than in Broxtowe. (the Broxtowe figure combining the spend of the Borough and County councils).
It was noted that the PwC savings over five years from either of the two options would amount to about ÂŁ21 per person per year.
It was noted that the PwC figures showed the annual saving of either of the two options would amount to about 1.5% of the total spend across Nottinghamshire.
It was noted that the City had declared itself effectively bankrupt, was now under scrutiny of three government appointed commissioners and was hoping to be on a sustainable financial footing by 2028.
It was noted that the City had much larger wards meaning more electors per councillor than in Broxtowe. If this was equalised then the City would be expected to have roughly three times the councillors of Broxtowe.
The discussion focused on strong views from members that they did not wish to be part of the City and that they could see no benefit to people in Bramcote from such a merger.
People felt the consultation was not valid as it did not give Broxtowe a genuine choice.
- Alternatives that were suggested included:
- Make the County unitary and keep the City unitary.
- Create unitary Notts North and Notts South and keep the City as it is.
- Create two unitaries comprising the Greater Nottingham Conurbation (Ashfield, Gedling, Rushcliffe, City, Broxtowe) and the County of Nottingham (Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood)
- Cancel the reorganisation and retain the present structures
A motion to retain the present structures was supported unanimously.
The meeting closed at 21:35
Paul Nathanail
Chair
Bramcote Neighbourhood Forum
Bramcote Neighbourhood Forum 