County votes for improved two-tier working

10:06, 22 Jan 2007

The County Council has decided to set aside its plans for a unitary council for Nottinghamshire in favour of a firm commitment to improving two-tier working from each of the county's seven district councils.

At the council meeting on Thursday, January 18, all members of the Council had their chance to have a say on the proposals arising out of the Government White Paper: Strong and Prosperous Communities, published in the autumn.

The White Paper set ambitious targets for local government in England; that it should:

• give local communities a stronger say in deciding on local services
• get better at leading and shaping the places it represents
• strengthen the role and importance of local councillors
• make savings to ensure services are value for money.

"The County Council is firmly committed to this agenda," says Council Leader, Coun David Kirkham.

"The question before us in the last few weeks has been: 'How can we make the best progress in Nottinghamshire?'

"Although it has been contentious, it has been right for us to explore all possible options.

"My personal preference has always been to work within the current two-tier system to achieve change, and that's the option we have chosen today. We know this will be hard work for all of us involved in local government.

"We took the opportunity to take a close look at the business case for a unitary Nottinghamshire council, providing all services across the county.

"As members have seen, in many ways the case is a good one - there are some real opportunities to give power back to local communities, reshape services to be more customer focused and make big savings by reducing duplication in staffing and systems.

"But councillors recognise that there has been no widespread support for a unitary Nottinghamshire, particularly among the partner organisations we need to work with. They are worried about the risk of disruption caused by structural change.

"We need now to make sure Nottinghamshire people can benefit from the same improvements and savings as we work to improve the current system.

"Over recent weeks we have listened carefully to the things district council colleagues have been saying to us about how we might work together to tackle the Government's ambitious agenda.

"There is a useful statement of principles 'on the table'. What we need now is to roll up our sleeves and turn those principles into actions.

"The debate over the White Paper and its possible consequences in Nottinghamshire has been a lively one.

"But partnership working between different agencies has continued all the while, and I'm convinced that politicians and officers across all local councils share common goals.

"What we now need to do is harness their energy and commitment of everyone involved towards a single outcome - improving local government and public services for the people of Nottinghamshire."

Background information
Read the County Council's response to the Government's White Paper, which was discussed at the full Council meeting on January 18.

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