Motion 1
To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Lachlan Morrison and seconded by Councillor Paul Roberts, as follows:-
“Ashfield District Council resolves to:
· Oppose the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish Ashfield District Council in order to replace it with a single unitary council for Nottinghamshire.
· Condemn the Conservative Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council for failing to consult the residents and businesses of Ashfield and Nottinghamshire on their views about the future shape of local government in our area. This shows contempt for the residents and businesses we serve.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to re-engage with leaders of all councils and opposition groups in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, working constructively, transparently and in a manner of mutual respect - so that we can work collectively on the issues facing the residents and businesses we serve.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to spend her time strongly lobbying the Conservative Government for sustainable and fair funding for Ashfield and Nottinghamshire rather than wasting time on attempting to unilaterally redraw the boundaries of local government in Nottinghamshire.
· Agree to write to the Secretary of State for Local Government stating our opposition to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish all districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire and replace them with a single unitary council and to highlight the complete lack of any credible business case for such a move.”
Motion 2
To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Jason Zadrozny and seconded by Councillor Rachel Madden, as follows:-
“This Council notes the decision of Nottinghamshire County Council to work on a business case to create a Unitary Authority based in West Bridgford. This Council further notes that Nottinghamshire County Council have already committed £370,000 on a business case to scrap local Borough and District Councils. This could exceed £1,000,000 when Council Officer’s time is taken into consideration.
This Council further notes that any decision on future governance in our county affects Ashfield District Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council.
This Council is disappointed that the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has failed to genuinely consult the stake-holder residents and businesses of the Ashfield District on their views about the future shape of local government in our area and refuses to even discuss the idea of a public referendum on the issue.
Further to this, the Leader of Nottingham City Council has gone on record stating: “We will only look to expand the city’s borders if the county council goes ahead with its proposals.” This would have a significant effect on Hucknall as part of the conurbation.
This Council believes that the biggest decision made about the future of Local Government in our County since 1974 should be made by the people – not politicians. This Council should formally look at the costings for a referendum in the Ashfield District on Thursday, May 2nd 2019 and bring a future report to Cabinet to consider options.
This Council agrees to write to the Rt Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government formally stating the Council’s formal opposition to Nottinghamshire County Council’s plan to abolish all districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire and replace them with a single unitary council.”
Minutes:
The Council received a notice of motion moved by Councillor Cheryl Butler and seconded by Councillor Keir Morrison as follows:-
“Ashfield District Council resolves to:
· Oppose the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish Ashfield District Council in order to replace it with a single unitary council for Nottinghamshire.
· Condemn the Conservative Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council for failing to consult the residents and businesses of Ashfield and Nottinghamshire on their views about the future shape of local government in our area. This shows contempt for the residents and businesses we serve.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to re-engage with leaders of all councils and opposition groups in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, working constructively, transparently and in a manner of mutual respect - so that we can work collectively on the issues facing the residents and businesses we serve.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to spend her time strongly lobbying the Conservative Government for sustainable and fair funding for Ashfield and Nottinghamshire rather than wasting time on attempting to unilaterally redraw the boundaries of local government in Nottinghamshire.
· Agree to write to the Secretary of State for Local Government stating our opposition to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish all districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire and replace them with a single unitary council and to highlight the complete lack of any credible business case for such a move.”
Councillor Jason Zadrozny moved an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Cathy Mason, in the following terms:-
“Ashfield District Council resolves to:
· Oppose the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish Ashfield District Council in order to replace it with single tier councils for Nottinghamshire.
· Express strong disapproval of the Conservative Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council for failing to genuinely consult the stakeholders, residents and businesses of Ashfield and Nottinghamshire on their views about the future shape of local government in our area. This shows contempt for the residents and businesses we serve.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to re-engage with leaders of all councils and opposition groups in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, working constructively, transparently and in a manner of mutual respect - so that we can work collectively on the issues facing the residents and businesses we serve.
· Agree that this Council believes that one of the biggest decisions made about the future of Local Government in our County since 1974 should be made by the residents – not politicians. To this end, this Council will set up a cross party group to determine the best form of public consultation to be taken, and bring a future report to council to discuss.
· Call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to join Ashfield and other local authorities and national organisations such as the LGA, District Councils Network and the County Councils Network in strongly lobbying the Government for sustainable and fair funding for Ashfield and Nottinghamshire rather than wasting time on attempting to unilaterally redraw the boundaries of local government in Nottinghamshire.
· Agree to write to the Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government formally stating this Council’s opposition to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish all districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire and replace them with single tier councils and to highlight the complete lack of any credible business case for such a move.”
Having considered the suggested amendment, Councillors Cheryl Butler and Keir Morrison, as the mover and seconder of the motion, duly agreed to the change of wording.
Having been fully considered, the substantive motion was then put to the vote and it was
RESOLVED
that Ashfield District Council agrees to:
a) oppose the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish Ashfield District Council in order to replace it with single tier councils for Nottinghamshire;
b) express strong disapproval of the Conservative Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council for failing to genuinely consult the stakeholders, residents and businesses of Ashfield and Nottinghamshire on their views about the future shape of local government in our area showing contempt for the residents and businesses we serve;
c) call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to re-engage with leaders of all councils and opposition groups in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, working constructively, transparently and in a manner of mutual respect - so that we can work collectively on the issues facing the residents and businesses we serve;
d) agree that this Council believes that one of the biggest decisions made about the future of Local Government in our County since 1974 should be made by the residents, not politicians and to this end, this Council will set up a cross party group to determine the best form of public consultation to be taken and bring a future report to Council to discuss;
e) call on the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to join Ashfield and other local authorities and national organisations such as the LGA, District Councils Network and the County Councils Network in strongly lobbying the Government for sustainable and fair funding for Ashfield and Nottinghamshire rather than wasting time on attempting to unilaterally redraw the boundaries of local government in Nottinghamshire;
f) agree to write to the Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government formally stating this Council’s opposition to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to abolish all districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire and replace them with single tier councils and to highlight the complete lack of any credible business case for such a move.