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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To consider a report by the Chief Executive Officer on background information regarding the extensive reforms to the local government framework across England set out in the White Paper on English Devolution published on 16 December 2024. To provide an update on Local Government Reorganisation progress for the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire area. To consider feedback to the Cabinet in order to compose the required submission to Government by 21 March 2025.

With the aid of a report by the Chief Executive Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Council considered a report relating to the Cabinet’s proposed submission to the Government in relation to Local Government Reorganisation.

In introducing the item, the Chair of the Council proposed that Council Procedure Rule 13, Rules of Debate, be suspended for the duration of discussion of the item and common law rules of debate be put in place to ensure full debate on the matter.

In introducing the report, the Executive Leader Councillor S Conboy, advised that the report presented to Council contained a draft letter to submit to the Minister on behalf of the Council. It was noted that this was the start of the process and that the Council would like to be involved in, and take ownership of the process as it moves forward. It was also noted that there was agreement across the authorities of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to work together towards a shared future goal by November 2025, being the next set deadline, where the Council could express their views on which options it would favour for unitarisation. The Council were advised that data work across the area had been commissioned and that this work would help to inform and establish both viable and preferred options. It was noted that this work was yet to be completed, therefore not at the stage to present options.

The Minister had set the expectation that the Council engage with the general public but had not set out how this should be undertaken, this was something which the Council were keen to comply with. It was noted that following the meeting of the Council, the Cabinet would convene to decide on whether or not to submit the proposed letter, contained within the report. The letter was specifically worded to not be specific thus allowing the Council room to develop and form informed options rather than be rushed into a decision. It was stated that the letter met most of the aspirations of the Ministers request. The Leader continued that the District Council, along with partner Councils wished to use the letter to convey to the Government that they were all likeminded and working towards a common outcome. It was noted that Fenland District Council had gone further than this by adding additional comment as there is one potential option which it strongly does not want to consider. It was observed that given the impending County Council elections scheduled for May 2025, the partner Councils did not wish to be too specific in a way forward and that the majority of partners were comfortable with this approach.

Councillor B Chapman recollected Local Government Reorganisation in the 1970s and hoped that lessons had been learnt from the experience. He heeded caution when partnering with neighbouring Councils and noted how the final partnership would fit together like a jigsaw. He expressed concern, which he stated was shared by other St Neots  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.