Agenda

In accordance with Rule No. 3.3.3 the following question has been submitted to the Council from Councillor Johno Lee:

Potential Impact of Boundary Changes on Health, Wellbeing, and Leisure Services in Nottinghamshire

“As Nottinghamshire considers transitioning to a unitary authority, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of boundary changes on essential services, particularly those under your portfolio of Health, Wellbeing, and Leisure. Given your extensive involvement in community health initiatives, including your role as Chair of the Friends of Newark Cemetery and your advocacy for improved healthcare access, your insights on this matter are invaluable.

Nottingham City Council has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. In November 2023, the Council issued a Section 114 notice due to a £23 million overspend for the 2023-24 financial year, primarily attributed to rising social care costs, increased homelessness, and inflationary pressures. The collapse of Robin Hood Energy in 2020 further exacerbated the Council’s financial position, resulting in a loss of £38 million.

In contrast, Nottinghamshire County Council has demonstrated prudent financial management. The 2024/25 budget reflects an increase in overall spending of over £47 million, with more than £160 million invested in capital projects across the county. However, the Council is projected to spend an additional £31 million on adult social care, highlighting the existing pressures on essential services.

Given your commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and ensuring residents have access to affordable, nutritious food, as evidenced by your participation in initiatives like the Crop Drop scheme and cookery classes for young people, there is a valid concern that any division of the current County Council area could lead to reduced funding for Nottinghamshire’s unitary authority. This reduction could, in turn, impair the delivery of health, wellbeing, and leisure services, with detrimental effects on our residents.

In light of these potential risks, do you agree that maintaining the integrity of the Nottinghamshire County Council area during the transition to a unitary authority is essential to safeguard the funding and effectiveness of our health, wellbeing, and leisure services?”

In accordance with the Rule No. 3.4.3, the following motions are to be considered

Motion One – Mandating Swift Bricks in New Developments

Motion Two – Protecting Areas of Significance for Nature

To consider resolving that, under section 100A (4) of the Local Government

Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items

of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.