Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Lewis)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive which sought Cabinet’s endorsement of the proposed approach to the government’s consultation on Local Government Reorganisation and for Cabinet to recommend that approach to Council.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

There is an option not to submit a response. The Council’s full proposal indicates the benefits and opportunities which could be realised for residents and businesses by a Bay Unitary. By not submitting a response to consultation on the proposals submitted, the Council would significantly reduce its influence in the reorganisation of local government. This option is not recommended.

The officer preferred option is to submit responses to the government’s consultation, taking the opportunity to influence decisions on local government arrangements for the area. Responding to the consultation does not create any specific risks for the council and would reinforce the strength of the proposal for the Bay unitary. Not responding to the consultation creates the risk that the Council is not able to influence the outcome of proposals.

Councillor Lewis proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That the Council report and appendices attached to the report be noted and Cabinet endorses and recommends to Council the proposed approach to the government’s consultation on Local Government Reorganisation.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

Following the submission of the proposal for a unitary council for the Bay, the government has now opened up consultation on all four proposals for Cumbria, including the Bay proposal which includes Lancaster. This is an important opportunity for the Council to influence the future of local government in this area. At its meeting on 24 March Council will be asked to agree the key principles included in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report so that a response can be made by the deadline of the 19 April.