If you can't find something, enter keywords in the search facility to find articles.
November 2018
A statement was issued in November 2018 by Leicestershire's District and Borough Councils :
"The conclusion of the MPs, supported by the Secretary of State, that no such change is necessary and work towards it should cease immediately reinforces what the districts have previously stated, that local authority structural reform will only happen if all parties are working together and in agreement.
"We understand and respect their concerns and therefore the district councils will not be pursuing any proposals for structural change."
August 2018
Mike Hall, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough believes the proposals by Leicestershire County Council, to scrap all District and Borough councils and replace them with a unitary body, are ill conceived and not right for the residents of Hinckley and Bosworth. Leicestershire's councils have a number of reservations as to the model proposed by the County Council and have agreed to work together to review the current model of local government.
In June County Council Leader Nick Rushton said he wanted to start a conversation about creating a unitary authority to replace the county council and the seven district councils. Initial proposals will now be drawn up over the summer and early thoughts sought from residents, district councils, businesses, MPs, universities and other people this autumn. A full public consultation on more detailed proposals is planned for early next year.
The news 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.
"It’s important that the East Midlands is not overshadowed by the West Midlands. We are simply losing out,” Mr Rushton said. “I believe the time has come to consider having a modern, progressive council for Leicestershire, to replace the county council and the seven district councils. It’s important we consider sensible options to get a better deal for our tax payers and those who rely on public services. For now, we must accept that the two-tier local government system is broken. It’s bureaucratic, old fashioned, confusing, inefficient and takes money away from front-line services. One, 21st century council would reduce duplication of services, save at least £30m each year and improve services. Working with parishes and creating town councils in places like Loughborough and Coalville would also enable us to build stronger links with communities - giving residents a greater say in local services. Other unitary councils are already experiencing these benefits."
"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.”
He added that whilst he has his own preference of a single council with direct links to local communities through towns and parishes, there may be other options to consider. "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."
District and Borough councils to work together
On July 26 The District and Borough Council Leaders of Leicestershire announced that they have agreed to work together to review the current model of local government for Leicestershire. In a statement they said that they wished to adopt a collaborative approach to examine what may be the best way of delivering local services for residents in the County, and in the wider context of the East Midlands region.
"This new collaborative approach will examine what is both cost effective in how services may be delivered and how best to retain their link with local residents. Such models may mean stronger District Councils working within a combined authority or having multiple unitary authorities or whether the current structure is still the best way of delivering local services.
We have a number of reservations as to the model proposed by the County Council not least the rushed timetable and it being too remote for local residents. However, we recognise that it may be premature to rule it out at this early stage.
Accordingly the Council Leaders have pledged to work together to find the right solution for the residents of Leicestershire and look forward to engaging with our elected partners, stakeholders and residents to deliver the best in local government for Leicestershire and the East Midlands region." They called for the County Council and others to join them in this approach, as they believe that collectively they have the expertise to determine the best solution for Leicestershire's residents.
Proposals 'ill conceived'
Speaking as Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Councillor Mike Hall said “I believe the proposals by Leicestershire County Council, to scrap all District and Borough councils and replace them with a unitary body, are ill conceived and not right for the residents of Hinckley and Bosworth. The East Midlands could benefit from reorganisation and a strong regional voice, but I believe strong Borough Councils should be at the heart of any re-organisation not a casualty of it. With other Leaders across Leicestershire and the East Midlands we want a proper debate and evaluation of all options. In my opinion that should include evaluating a London Style Model, with an East Midlands Authority and perhaps fewer District and Borough Councils.”
Cllr Hall added that he hoped the county council will take note of this commitment to collaborative work, in the best interests of residents.
How does this affect Parish Councils?
Council finances are like a conjuror's balloon. When you squeeze one part the balloon either bursts or the air moves to another part that stretches to accommodate it. The financial pressures on local authorities have resulted in spending and service cuts year on year and the costs of some services being pushed elsewhere. For example, Groby parishioners pay more to the Parish Council to prop up the grass cutting levels that used to be part of their County Council bills. And they also pay £24 a year if they need to have their green waste collected by the Borough Council. If they want to borrow a book from the library they have to rely on unpaid staff to look after them and to contribute to the running costs by supporting fund raising initiatives. In order to help keep the library open Groby residents gave £16,500 from their Council Tax to the volunteer Trustees. This has been wisely spent on providing accessible toilet facilities and alterations to form a cafe which it is hoped will be the main source of income for the future.
A unitary authority may reduce overall expenditure but is unlikely to result in a halt to the devolution of services and costs to Parish level, though this is something that Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, commented on in his speech to the National Association of Local Councils annual conference in 2017.
“I know that not enough cash from the principal support grant is finding its way down to your level, “ he told delegates. “And that’s just not right.” He went on to say that Principal authorities should be devolving responsibilities to local councils not so that they can save a few pounds and get important work done on the cheap, but because they are best placed to deliver more tailored services.
“They certainly shouldn’t be using parish precepts as a means of avoiding their own cap on council tax increases. Doing more with less is one thing. Doing something for nothing is quite another.” He said the government has previously issued guidance to billing authorities on this, making clear that they should work with parish and town councils to pass down appropriate levels of funding.
“So let me promise you all today that I’ll be exploring ways in which I can strengthen the requirement for principal authorities to pass a share of local council tax support to their towns and parishes. But from my conversations with you, it’s clear that too many top-tier councils aren’t following that guidance closely enough. It’s the least you deserve.” He added that now is the time for the little guys to think big, to innovate and to show ambition.
Freelance journalist Neil Merrick, writing on www.localgov.co.uk, said Mountsorrel Council will this year raise more than £540,000 from residents following the transfer of services from Leicestershire County Council and from Charnwood Borough Council. He noted that not only is Mountsorrel running a community centre and a youth cafe but is also taking responsibility for the library threatened with closure. The librarian’s salary will be paid by the Parish Council. “We didn’t want to rely on volunteers,” says parish chair Steve Haywood.
During the past five years, Mountsorrel has taken nearly £320,000 from reserves to avoid increasing council tax, leaving it with just £48,000. Merrick wondered whether in the long term Mountsorrel and other parishes that rely on volunteer councillors have the capacity to run services associated with larger councils. 'We are the lowest of the low,' says Heywood. 'We are the third tier of local government and don’t get paid.'
Mountsorrel residents in a Band D property have seen their contribution to the Parish Council rise by £123 to £199 this year as the council starts to rebuild its reserves. This rise was accompanied, Merrick says, by a 5.99% council tax increase levied by Leicestershire and 3.6% from Charnwood.
If there's a parish which hopes to benefit financially from any agreement reached on unitary authority status, and hopes that Sajid Javid promises about funding trickle down are delivered, it must surely be Mountsorrell.