Peterborough Tories voice concerns as council restructure decision looms

The extensive Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plan put forward by the Labour government will see local councils reorganised in 14 areas across the country, replacing two-tier structures with unitary councils.

Government officials confirmed that the information submitted in support of all four unitary options (A, B, C and D) for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area was comprehensive, with no further evidence required — but a final decision has been delayed until the autumn.

Peterborough City Council continues to support Option D which would see three new unitary authorities created as follows:

– Greater Peterborough (West Huntingdonshire and Peterborough)

– Mid Cambridgeshire ( Fenland, East Huntingdonshire and East Cambridgeshire)

– Greater Cambridge (South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City)

However, not all groups on the city council were in agreement with this option, including the Conservatives led by councillor Wayne Fitzgerald.

Ahead of the final decision on LGR, Cllr Fitzgerald wrote to the government’s co-deputy director for LGR, Ruth Miller, to express his group’s concerns over both the model and future ward representations.

“May I say at the outset that Option D was not a unanimous decision of Peterborough City Council, and it was not the Conservative group’s preferred option. Why, because it makes no practical sense whatsoever,” he began the letter.

Cllr Fitzgerald went on to say that his group remained “seriously concerned” about the financial sustainability of Option D, given that Option A was estimated to generate higher net savings with a shorter payback time.

He also added: “We have serious concerns about modelling which could reduce the number of councillors representing the existing Peterborough area from 60 to 45.

“That would amount to a reduction of 15 councillors, or 25 per cent of Peterborough’s current democratic representation, at precisely the point when the city is continuing to expand.

“There is also a broader concern about how that reduction is being applied across the city.”

Cllr Fitzgerald was concerned that some communities would retain three councillors despite sitting well below the proposed electoral average, while others would lose representation despite higher elector numbers and substantial identified future growth.

The Conservative group asked for greater transparency over the modelling, claiming that Labour city council leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum suggested retaining three councillors in the East ward which she represents.

“Whatever model government ultimately chooses, it must leave Peterborough stronger, rather than create financial, operational or democratic pressures that future councils will be left to resolve,” Cllr Fitzgerald’s letter concluded.

In response, Cllr Qayyum said: “The government has requested our preferred option on warding arrangements for Option D and our response is a status quo with the same number of councillors as we currently have.

“This was agreed unanimously by group leaders and discussed with all members in advance.

“In addition, we have suggested an alternative option for a smaller number of councillors (62 instead of 79).

“The government will now consider the options we have put forward and make a decision on the warding arrangements which will be effective for the shadow authority post May 2027, and in the first few years of the new authority’s existence.

“The permanent new warding arrangements will be considered and agreed by the Boundary Commissions, ready for the 2031 all-out elections.

“We appreciate that some members will have differing views on the arrangements, however what has been put forward, the status quo, was agreed unanimously by political group leaders, shared with all members in advance and agreed for submission.

“There is no national formula for deciding how many councillors serve in each ward therefore decisions have to be made on local knowledge.

“The three wards where it has been decided to retain three councillors rather than reverting to two is because of the level of growth taking place or planned in these wards.

“The final decision does not rest with this council, but with government, and a response is expected in the autumn.”

It is hoped that changes to local government will improve services by making them simpler and more efficient for residents and businesses.

The government claimed that a significant amount of money could also be saved in the long term by creating larger authorities.

However, some have argued that the restructure may create a disconnect between the larger authorities and their local communities, leading to decreased accountability to residents.

Peterborough residents could also be at risk of an increase in council tax.