Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Davis, Hinman, Kane, Renshaw, Stevenson and Turner.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

Councillor Ritchie Portfolio Holder for Devolution introduced the item and expressed thanks to all officers who had been involved in developing the Case for Change but also their continued participation in the workstreams for planning and implementation. 

Council considered a report of the Leader and joint presentation by the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and S151 Officer and the Interim Director, Planning, Devolution & Corporate Policy. 

Members were reminded of the MHCLG criteria for evaluating the proposals as follows:

·       Establishing a single tier of local government and the right size council of circa 500,000 population.

·       Efficiency, capacity and ability to withstand shocks.

·       High quality and sustainable public services.

·       Working together and meeting local needs.

·       Supporting devolution arrangements.

·       Stronger community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment.

The Case for Change at Appendix A to the report included the unitary council options and how these had been assessed against the Government’s criteria.  The Case for Change had been developed in partnership with all eight district and borough council’s and Derby City Council.  It made the case for two unitary councils based on a North/South geography which was underpinned by robust evidence based options appraisal and thorough financial analysis.

The northern and southern unitary model was organised on sensible geographies that enabled housing markets to address local needs and place, and community-based solutions for critical issues such as homelessness, social care and education.  Functional economic geographics were reflected to drive inclusive economic growth with huge opportunities around tourism, minerals and extraction, railways, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and clean energy.  Engagement during the proposal development had highlighted real opportunities to build deeper connections with local businesses and support their ambitions for growth on a regional, national and international stage.

Four options had been identified to shape the two new councils in accordance with Government criteria.

The options were:

Option A

Unitary Council 1 – to include Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire:

Population: 584,000

Area (sq.km): 2,103

Council tax base: 194,804

Unitary Council 2 – to include Derby City, South Derbyshire and Erewash:

Population: 494,000

Area (sq.km): 526

Council tax base: 147,434

Option B

Unitary Council 1 – High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Bolsover:

Population: 456,000

Area (sq.km): 1,838

Council tax base: 152,247

Unitary Council 2 – South Derbyshire, Erewash, Amber Valley and Derby City:

Population: 622,000

Area (sq.km): 791

Council tax base: 189,991

Option A1

Unitary Council 1 – to include High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Chesterfield and part of Amber Valley (parishes identified in the report):

Population: 567,000

Area (sq.km): 2,068

Council  Tax Base: 187,572

Unitary Council 2 – to include Derby City, Erewash, South Derbyshire and part of Amber Valley (parishes identified in the report):

Population: 511,000

Area (sq.km): 560

Council tax base: 154,666

Option B1

Unitary Council 1 – to include High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Chesterfield and part of Amber Valley (parishes detailed in the report):

Population: 539,000

Area (sq.km): 2,012

Council tax base: 180,133

Unitary Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL45-25/26

The Chair closed the meeting and thanked all for their attendance.