Issue - meetings

The chairman had agreed to accept a late report on the recent announcement by Leicestershire County Council (LCC) regarding its decision to develop proposals for unitary government in Leicestershire and an East Midlands strategic alliance. The Leader reported that he had publicly responded to the announcement and that whilst he agreed that an alliance across the East Midlands was needed, he did not consider a unitary county was the right option for Hinckley & Bosworth. He also felt that LCC’s timetable was too tight and excluded districts from engagement. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         District councils should be at the heart of any plans, not a casualty of reorganisation

·         The need for the Borough Council to undertake its own consultation, particularly on the suggestion of a town council for Hinckley. Should an informal consultation show that residents were in favour of a town council, a full governance review would be instigated

·         The need for the government to tackle the lack of funding for social care to prevent similar situations to that of Northamptonshire County Council

·         The possibility of addressing the social care issue regionally

·         The need for districts to take action and make their views known at this point and going forward

·         Concern from parish councils that more duties would be imposed on them and they would have to increase their precepts

·         The motion to Council on 7 August and intention to take a further report to Council in October

·         The importance of sending out clear messages in the consultation, particularly as LCC may be consulting at the same time, with conflicting messages.

It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The motion to Council be noted;

(ii)           Subject to the motion to Council being supported, a further report be taken to Council in October;

(iii)          The issues be explored;

(iv)         Consultation on a town council for Hinckley be undertaken with the commitment to hold a governance review in the event of a positive response.