A union has labelled plans to bring commissioners into Nottingham City Council as "undemocratic". It was revealed last week that the government is planning to send in commissioners to take control of the authority's finances.
The city council is already being monitored by a Government -appointed board, chaired by Sir Tony Redmond, after the collapse of Robin Hood Energy in January 2020 and further misspending was idenitifed in May 2022. Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen has stated he feels the decision was not necessary and that he is "deeply disappointed" with it - the council has until July 7 to officially respond to the announcement.
Unison is a public service union with more than 1.3 million members across the country, including in Nottingham. A spokesperson has stated that council services should be delivered by those working in the city to "deliver in the best interests of the citizens of Nottingham."
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The Nottingham City branch of Unison said in a statement: "Nottingham City Branch of UNISON wholly opposes the decision by Central Government to impose Commissioners to oversee certain functions of Nottingham City Council. UNISON believes this decision is undemocratic and that all council services should be delivered by staff working alongside the city’s democratically elected representatives to deliver in the best interests of the citizens of Nottingham."
Nottingham Labour, meanwhile, said in a statement: "The appointment of commissioners would be unjustified, and an attack on our local democracy. We will use our opportunity to respond to this proposal from government to ask questions. If it is the case that the government does take this action, this will be based not on what is best for the city, but what is best for the Conservative Party.
"The government cuts to our budgets means that it is more difficult to do everything we want to do to help our communities at this time but we have been fighting for Nottingham and protecting our services against the worst effects of Tory cuts. We made sure that Nottingham City Council - and our amazing staff - were there for you during the Covid crisis and we fought hard to get what we needed for our city to help keep people safe.
"We understand what twelve years of Tory austerity and now the cost of living crisis means to you, because we do not just represent our communities, we are part of them. We will carry on fighting for what Nottingham needs and will still be ready to help with the problems you are facing, or hear your views and hopes for the city."
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