Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence had been received.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any items on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time. 

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Councillor B Lewis declared a personal interest.  The nature of the interest was that he was Leader of Derbyshire County Council.

Motion proposed by Councillor N Barker

“Council notes and supports the decision of all councils in Derbyshire to participate in the Vision Derbyshire initiative.

Council supports the principle in Vision Derbyshire that a two-tier system of local government, with councils working closely together, is preferred structural solution for delivering on the proposed White Paper’s agenda of reducing regional inequalities.

Council notes the decision of Derbyshire County Council at its meeting on 16^th September 2020 to write to the Secretary of State to submit a proposal for a single tier of local government for the county and to mandate its officers to prepare a case in support of a single unitary authority.

Council believes that the creation of a unitary authority is not in the interests of N E Derbyshire residents and opposes the creation of a unitary authority.  Council mandates officers within the council to prepare a case for the retention of NEDDC as part of a two-tier structure of local government.

Council also notes that the Leader of this Council, in his role as a Cabinet Member at Derbyshire County Council, supported the proposal to create a unitary authority in Derbyshire.

Council resolves to exercise it power pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 5.1 (c) (iv) to remove from office the current Leader of the Council and to proceed to elect a new Leader, who will safeguard the future of NEDDC, for the remaining term of this council in accordance with paragraph 5.1(a).”

In presenting the Motion Councillor N Barker stated that the Motion was about the conflict of interest of those who held positions of leadership at different local authorities and also to put on record the Council’s support for the two-tier system.  Councillor N Baker explained that at a County Council meeting on 16 September 2020 county officers had been mandated to prepare an alternative route for devolution in the form of developing a case for a single unitary model of local government.  He questioned where the priorities of the Leader would lie when any strategic decisions had to be made on the future of local government in Derbyshire.  He believed that the two roles the Leader of the Council currently held (Leader of a District Council and Member of the County Council Cabinet) were incompatible, could create a conflict of interest and therefore untenable. 

Councillor J Barry seconded the Motion and stated that this Motion was put forward out of concern for the Council and its staff.  The roles of the Leader were conflicted and the Council needed a leader who was committed to preserving the Council in its entirety, committed to its staff and would not make any job cuts.

Councillor J Funnell stated that a single unitary council for Derbyshire would mean the loss of involvement and control of local issues by local residents, which was not right.  He asked the Leader of the Council to withdraw his support at county level for any single tier proposal.

Councillor J Kenyon expressed the view  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/55/20-21