Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies.

The minutes of the meeting were confirmed and signed.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

Councillor D Bagshaw declared a non-registrable, pecuniary interest in item 4.  Minute number 83 refers.

To provide an overview of the government’s requirement for plans for local government reorganisation to be developed in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; to outline the work undertaken to respond to the requirements; and to note the content and intention to submit an interim plan for the area of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, in line with government requirements.

Members considered a report which provided an overview of the government’s requirement for plans for local government reorganisation to be developed in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The report outlined the work undertaken to respond to the requirements and noted the content and intention to submit an interim plan for the area of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, in line with government requirements.

The original recommendation was as follows:

1.       That Council notes the content and intention to submit the interim plan for local government reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to government by 21 March 2025.

2.       That Council consider the statement of risks and concerns set out in appendix 4 and agree to endorse or amend this to accompany the submission of the interim plan on behalf of Broxtowe.

3.       Provide delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer to set aside an earmarked reserve of £150,000 or more from an anticipated General Fund underspend in 2024/25 for the purposes of funding the cost of Local Government Reorganisation in the event of central government capacity funding being delayed and/or not sufficient. 

Councillor M Radulovic MBE stated an intention to move a number of amendments throughout the meeting and it was agreed that each would be debated in turn. The following motion was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE an seconded by Councillor G Marshall.

“This Council notes the content and the intention to submit the interim plan for local government reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire by 21 March 2025.”

On being put to the meeting, the motion was carried.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor G Marshall.

“This Council cannot support a merger with a new Council which encompasses the current City Council boundary which is in a dire financial position and disadvantages Broxtowe residents and ignores their concerns and wishes, making it impossible to have the frank and open discussions essential to forming a successful long-term plan based on service delivery.”

Members debated the amendment and stated a reluctance to forward any proposals which involved a merger with Nottingham City Council, which it was stated had been subject to poor performance and mismanagement. Local Government Reform was not in the government’s manifesto prior to the general election and it was stated that the City Council wished to reduce its debts by using this Council’s assets. At this point in the debate Councillor D K Watts presented a petition on behalf of several hundred residents who had expressed their opposition to proposed plans for local government reorganisation.

It was stated that this Council should be an equitable partner in any discussions and it was essential that this Council was viewed equally.

Furthermore, Broxtowe was a distinct community which should remain as such, this was evidenced by a survey which had been undertaken which suggested that residents had strongly expressed that they wished to remain associated with this Authority. Residents and Members were proud of this Council and wished to remain part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

The Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Councillor fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, then, subject to certain exceptions, they cease to be a Member of the authority, unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend before the six months expires. Councillor S A Bagshaw is currently unable to attend Council meetings and in the circumstances, it is put before Members to consider a dispensation under Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the period of six months from 19 March 2025 before which forfeiture applies.

Council is asked to CONSIDER a dispensation for Councillor S A Bagshaw for a period of six months from the date of this meeting and RESOLVE accordingly.

The Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Councillor fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, then, subject to certain exceptions, they cease to be a Member of the authority, unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend before the six months expires. Councillor S A Bagshaw is currently unable to attend Council meetings and in the circumstances, it is put before Members to consider a dispensation under Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the period of six months from 6 March 2024 before which forfeiture applies.

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor P J Bales and seconded by at least four other councillors. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED that a dispensation be granted for Councillor S A Bagshaw for a period of six months from the date of this meeting.

(Having declared a non-registrable, pecuniary interest, Councillor D Bagshaw left the meeting for the duration of the item and did not vote thereon.)

(Councillors S J Carr and D K Watts left the meeting prior to debating or voting thereon.)