Super-council must deliver benefits to residents says Newark MP Robert Jenrick

Plans for a re-organisation of councils in Nottinghamshire must deliver benefits to residents, according to Newark’s MP, Mr Robert Jenrick.

Nottinghamshire County Council has asked for views on the creation of a super-council in the county.

It would see all seven borough and district councils abolished along with the county council and replaced with one or two super-councils.

County council leader Mrs Kay Cutts says it would remove duplication and could save around £20m to £30m a year. But critics say it would erode local decision making.

Almost 1,600 people had their say in a recent consultation.

Mr Jenrick (pictured) said: “Unitarisation would undoubtedly provide back office savings that could be ploughed into the front line services that residents rely upon.

“I am fortunate to represent a part of Nottinghamshire served by two excellent local authorities, Newark and Sherwood, and Rushcliffe, so those proposing a new council would need to demonstrate it would deliver considerable benefits to my constituents if we were to lose these well managed district councils.

“At this stage, I await the outcome of the study commissioned by the county council before making a final judgement, I am most attracted to the idea of two unitary authorities, with one encompassing the eastern and southern parts of the county that are predominantly rural and market town in character. I suspect that could command popular support.

“There is no prospect of the government agreeing to open the question of redrawing the boundaries of the city and so I would advise against wasting time on this side issue.”

Mr Mark Spencer, the Sherwood MP, said: “I recognise the benefits that would come from a single-tier authority. In my immediate area I have got four chief executives, four finance departments, and so on. It makes sense to cut through that bureaucracy and spend the savings on public services. However, this must be a democratic process.

“I want councils to work together and agree the best way forward – such a thing shouldn’t be forced upon them by the Government.”

Mr Ken Clarke, Rushcliffe MP, said:“I am inclined to be against the idea but am waiting to see if the eventual business plan has any good arguments.

“I think my constituents identify much more closely with Rushcliffe Borough Council than with the county council and I think local democracy is valuable.”