Residents should massive council

MICHAEL PAYNE CALLS NOTTINGHAM 'THRIVING' - AND WARNS OF COUNTY COUNCIL DEBT

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

RESIDENTS should back a “thriving” Nottingham city says Gedling Labour MP Michael Payne ahead of the county's nine councils consulting on a massive shakeup of local government.

At Gedling Borough Council's full council meeting last week, Mr Payne, who is also a borough councillor, spoke up for the city against the county council.

He said: “Those people who are making a petty argument... that is Nottingham city do nothing for the people in Gedling [are wrong].

“Many of the people who live in Gedling work in the city, go to the theatres in the city, rely on City Hospital and QMC, get on the bus into the city, drive into the city to go on the trains that pass through the borough and the city.”

He said he would continue making the argument that a “thriving” Nottingham City is in Gedling’s best interest.

He “accepts” Gedling residents’ “anxiety” over merging with the city because of its gross debt figure of £907.7 million which includes its investment into the tram network.

“What should also create significant anxiety for the people who live in our borough is that there's Nottinghamshire County Council that sits on [over £400 million] worth of debt.” he continued, also citing “inadequate” special educational needs and disabilities services.

On Monday, Nottinghamshire councils started public consultations on the looming rejig of local government.

In December the Labour Government announced plans to reorganise areas with two-tier councils including Nottinghamshire with responsibilities split between county and district councils.

The English Devolution White Paper wants existing council boundaries redrawn to create new, larger, single-tier, unitary authorities by 2027/28.