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. This is what has happened in other parts of the country – a new unitary structure.
We simply have to get a better deal for our tax payers and those who rely on public services. We need to 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. A single unitary council in my view is the best option – it would save significant sums of public money, as well as simplify and improve services. But it would also work closely with town and parish councils, the most local form of community representation, which I hope we can strengthen, empower and re-invigorate.
It’s also important that the East Midlands collectively is not overshadowed by the West Midlands when it comes to receiving funding from Government. At the moment, the East Midlands is simply losing out. I’m talking to other councils about how we can work together in a Strategic Alliance to maximise our collective clout. This is vital for Leicestershire’s economy – building the right skills, creating quality jobs and building the roads, infrastructure and housing required.
Person:Nick Rushton, Leader, Leicestershire County Council
Council leader Nick Rushton answers your top 10 questions
What does this mean for you and your council tax?
Most people would be financially better off.
Council tax bills would be reduced in line with the lowest. That could mean a reduction of £30-35 per year for a band D property.
Delivering services would become simpler. I know of no good reason, for example, why taxpayers are funding seven different waste collection services across Leicestershire when a single service and a single set of managers is all that is required.
The consequences of doing nothing are just too great. There would be more cuts, continued confusion and missed opportunities to save money.
What does this mean for my business?
I agree with the Government’s aim to cut red tape for businesses.
At the moment, if you’re starting out or running a business, there’s no doubt you’re in contact with several councils.
One council would be much simpler to do business with. This would minimise the intrusion into your day-to-day running, but maximise value for you, your business, and the Leicestershire economy.
Is it just about saving £30 million a year?
The financial outlook for local government is bleak. Leicestershire is the worst off because it’s the lowest funded county in terms of funding from Government, which is why we’ve been running our campaign for fair funding for Leicestershire.
The county council has saved £178m since 2010 and we can’t go on just cutting further. This proposal would save at least £30m per year from fewer senior managers, councillors, headquarters and county-wide services. There is no good argument for having eight lots of everything because there are eight councils.
It’s important to remember the difference in current budgets. The county council has a budget of £350 million per year, and the district councils have a collective revenue budget of £75m per year.
But it’s not just about saving money – it’s about making a real difference to people’s lives and building stronger links with communities. There would be local decision-making and close links to parish and town councils.
It would be simpler for the public and partners – just one council runs all services and is clearly accountable for them.
By working together, with our partners across the East Midlands, public and private sectors, Leicestershire would have a stronger voice with the Government, partners and investors.
What are the plans for the East Midlands region?
I’m in talks with other East Midlands council leaders about forming a strategic alliance. Simplifying how local government works can only help in strengthening the case for investment in Leicestershire.
This is about how we make full use of powers over planning, transport and investment - so that our region isn’t overshadowed by the West Midlands. This is vital for Leicestershire’s economy – building the right skills and creating quality jobs.
If we look to the West Midlands they’re pressing on with investment in digital innovation, roads, transport and housing. We must not waste this opportunity to ensure that Leicestershire and the East Midlands can claim its share of growth and opportunity.
As leaders, we need to get our act together and these discussions have sharpened the focus on local government structures and how complex and unwieldy they currently are.
Has your fair funding campaign failed?
No - our fair funding campaign is bearing fruit- we secured a funding review on the back of it- but the Government’s plan to invest £20bn in the NHS is a game changer.
We are realistic and now know that to achieve a better deal for Leicestershire and make local government funding fairer across the board would require the Government to take from the richer councils to give to the poorer councils. This is a difficult ask at a time of reducing budgets and rising demand for services.
We will push on with our campaign and aim to get a better deal but now that the Government has announced its plan to invest billions in the NHS - there simply isn’t enough money to go round the public sector, meaning local government is likely to miss out, again.
And remember that Leicestershire is at the bottom of the pile anyway. It’s also vital to recognise that many of our services, such as caring for vulnerable children and older people, are led by surges in demand beyond our control.
What would a 21st Century council look like?
Rather than being based on a 19th century model – we have an opportunity to reflect modern ways of living.
Most people want to interact with public services 24/7 in their own home. A new council would benefit from modern, digital tools and innovation to make that happen.
I know that more than a million people go online to do business with the county council each year. But they’re often frustrated by the difference between county and district services. There has to be a better way.
How will a unitary council work with parish and town councils?
We have an opportunity to redefine the relationship between communities and local government. Our parish and town councillors would play a vital role.
In Leicestershire, most of the major towns don’t have a council, places like Coalville, Hinckley, Loughborough and Market Harborough. They can be set up and I hope there is civic pride to do so.
For some services, being run at a local level with communities makes sense. It can reduce costs and improve quality. But the current split between county and district councils makes it complicated and costly.
I want parish and town councils to be involved in shaping these proposals, so our local communities can thrive into the future.
How can we learn from experience of unitary councils elsewhere?
I’ve looked closely at the experiences of places like Wiltshire, Durham and Cornwall which went unitary ten years ago. They saved far more than they first thought.
And there are many examples of strong communities getting involved and running things for themselves.
Does this affect Leicester City or Rutland?
No. The unitary proposals are for Leicestershire County Council and the seven districts.
What happens next?
The County Council will now draw up initial proposals over the summer - and we’ll talk to residents, MPs, district councils, parish and town councils, the voluntary sector and businesses to get their early thoughts this autumn.
A full public consultation on more detailed proposals is planned for 2018/19.
New council for Leicestershire - keep me updated