Issue - meetings

Please note that the Motions on Notice will be published in a Supplementary Papers Pack to this agenda.

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the Motions on Notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

The Chairman confirmed that there were three Motions on Notice submitted for consideration at this Council meeting. However, Members were informed that prior to the meeting, the first Motion had been withdrawn and would not be debated.

As detailed in Minute No 75/24 – Declarations of Interest, Councillor R. Lambert left the Council Chamber prior to the consideration of this Motion on Notice.

English Devolution White Paper

The following Motion on Notice was submitted by Councillor D. Nicholl for Council’s consideration:

“Given the recent English Devolution White Paper:

Bromsgrove District Council calls on officers to prepare a business case for the cabinet on the merits of a North Worcestershire unitary authority versus that of a Worcestershire wide unitary authority or any other model to set out the best way forward to represent the residents of Bromsgrove and the villages.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor D. Nicholl and seconded by Councillor S. Evans.

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Nicholl referred to the recent White Paper that had been released regarding the Government’s devolution proposals. In doing so, it was outlined that the Government proposed to make Leaders at local level more accountable and for power to return to those who had ‘more skin in the game.’ It was noted that each decision on how power would be devolved would be made on a case-by-case basis. It was suggested that the decision to devolve power must have an outcome that was best for the residents of Bromsgrove, and it was important that all potential structures be explored. A North Worcestershire unitary authority might not be the best model to deliver services to the residents. Although there had been communications released regarding a Worcestershire County wide unitary authority, this had not been debated or voted on and therefore it was not known if this was the most suitable structure for the future. Councillor Nicholl expressed the view that it was vital that this Motion be passed in order to start the process and provide urgent answers to central Government.

Following the proposal of the Motion, an amendment was proposed by Councillor P. McDonald and seconded by Councillor H. Rone-Clarke. The amendment was as follows:

“Given the recent English Devolution White Paper:

Bromsgrove District Council call on Officers to prepare a business case, for discussion at a future extraordinary meeting of the Council, on the merits of a North Worcestershire unitary authority versus that of a Worcestershire wide unitary authority or any other model to set out the best way forward to represent the residents of Bromsgrove and the villages.”

In proposing the amendment to the substantive Motion, Councillor McDonald explained that devolution would be a good outcome for residents, as it would empower local communities and target their needs and aspirations. However, it was right to wait until further information had been provided by the Government before making any decisions. This way all the facts would be available, and an informed decision could be made.

Councillor Rone-Clarke, in seconding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87