Agenda and minutes

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary, other registerable and non-registerable interests in relation to any Agenda item. See Notes below.

No declarations were received.

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The Council is invited to note and comment on the options presented in the Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Council is also to note the criteria and process established by Government and that the Secretary of State will be the end decision maker. The Council is invited to record its support for one or none of the options presented in order to inform the decision to be taken by Cabinet on 24th November 2025.

The Council discussed the Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Report at its extraordinary meeting on 19th November 2025. 

Before the debate began, the Council were advised verbally by Councillor B S Chapman that St Neots Town Council (SNTC) would be supporting Option C. 

Members heard from the Executive Leader, Councillor S J Conboy, that it was important to make an evidence-based decision based upon facts rather than political concerns and that only one Option should be submitted to the Government. She also reminded members that this was an opportunity to vote tactically as only submitted options could be considered by the Secretary of State and this was an opportunity to allow the fullest submission of options for consideration. 

Councillor S Bywater addressed the Council and gave thanks to officers for their hard work and dedication to the papers especially when there is uncertainty over how their own futures will be affected by the decision. He continued that it was important that the debate and decision made was made delivered the best outcome for both Huntingdonshire residents, and the residents of the County as a whole. Councillor Bywater expressed his belief that Option E would create an effective, sustainable and fair option for all. He noted that the current growth within neighbouring authorities was already felt by rural communities bordering those areas and that the forecasted growth would exasperate this situation. He felt that by supporting Option E a strategic and long-term plan for growth would be developed. Councillor Bywater furthermore expressed his lack of support for Option D expressing concern that the split of Huntingdonshire proposed by the Option would simply be to allow for a housing expansion zone from a Council who had run out of room to grow further. In his opinion this would be an unfair burden which would fail residents and burden communities. He also expressed concern about the impact Local Government Reform (LGR) would have upon education and noted that the impact upon schools and Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision had barely been addressed with minimal engagement with the Schools Forum to date. Councillor Bywater observed that Education would be one of the most critical services delivered by the new Unitary Authority (UA) and felt that Option E provided the most stability for the education provision to residents for the future. Councillor Bywater expressed further concern about the pace of the LGR process and noted that this should not be driven by national politics but rather local need. He concluded that residents deserved an option which suits their needs and gives the strongest protection for the future, he felt that this would be Option E. 

The Council was then addressed by Councillor T Alban, who observed that there may be varying merits across all the presented options with the exception of Option D, which would see parts of the District become part of a Greater Peterborough. He expressed concern that the resulting UA would be dominated by Peterborough and be city centric, not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.