We are backing plans to replace Rushcliffe and Nottinghamshire Councils with a single council to provide better services for our residents.
Over recent weeks all of the larger councils in Nottinghamshire have written to the Government seeking permission to put forward changes to the way that they are structured.
Under the proposals Parish Councils would continue to exist with an enhanced role providing local services and a single council above known as a unitary authority providing county wide services.
Residents in Nottingham City already have a single unitary council and whilst these proposals could take a few years to come about we view them as an opportunity to simplify and improve services and accountability.
Across the country where unitary councils have been established they have sought to work with local councils to devolve services to the community.
In Tollerton, the Parish Council provides services to look after grass verges, flower beds and trees. Local devolution of the budget and services for highway verge maintenance – a county council service – and street weeding – a borough council service – would allow our residents to benefit from a joined up approach and single schedule of maintenance.
In Tollerton we used a Community Right to protect “Asset of Community Value” so that our residents could buy and save their local pub.
This important community right has its limitations and we were fortunate to work with a willing seller who wanted to see the community succeed.
Not all communities have the same experience and these rights could be strenghtened through the forthcoming Devolution White Paper to help communities and local councils protect the facilities and services that are most important to them.
You can read our comments on the proposals here