Council leaders clash over East Mids strategic alliance plans
A plan to create a new East Midlands combined authority are “unlikely to happen”, according the leader one Leicestershire borough council.
The dismissal, by the leader of Charnwood Borough Council, councillor Jonathan Morgan, follows an announcement by the leader of Leicestershire County Council, councillor Nick Rushton who said: “The time has come to explore having a new council for Leicestershire.”
The call follows discussions with the council leaders in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire about how they could join up as part of a strategic alliance, to counterbalance the growing power and influence of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Rushton said: “It’s important that the East Midlands is not overshadowed by the West Midlands. We are simply losing out.
Councillor Jonathan Morgan
“I’ve been talking to other councils about how we make full use of powers over planning, transport and investment to maximise our collective clout. This is vital for Leicestershire’s economy – building the right skills, creating quality jobs and housing.
“As leaders, we need to get our act together and these discussions have sharpened the focus on local government structures and how complex they currently are.
“We’ve written to the new Secretary of State asking to meet and talk to him about our East Midlands plans.”
A unitary structure would reduce costs and improve services, and proposals should be developed says the council leader. It’s estimated running one council would save £30m a year ongoing by having fewer chief officers, senior staff, councillors and offices. The money would be reinvested in services, says Rushton.
However, councillor Morgan said: “To be very clear, this proposal is unlikely to happen – it would require an Act of Parliament, and the Government has publicly said that it won’t give parliamentary time for proposals, without substantive support from local MPs, district and county councils, and the public.
“There may be a strong case for reviewing the local government structure in the county, but any proposals need to have the backing of all those involved, following proper debate.
“Over the coming months, other, better supported options, are likely to come forward and provide the same levels of savings, but with better local representation.”
