County councillor says a unitary council for Nottinghamshire will save taxpayers money

To help us achieve this, I believe local government reorganisation is essential, and that only a single unitary authority will release the amount of resources we need to sustain services over the long-term.

It’s very clear to me that the structure of local government in this county must become more efficient than it is now.

We need to ensure every penny goes to the right places.

Owing to coronavirus, a hole in our budget has appeared virtually overnight to the tune of around £45 million, of which around £20 million is attributable to the extra work we have had to undertake in adult social care and public health.

As we move through this year and into 2021, protecting communities from Covid-19 is one of our top priorities and we continue to work daily to keep people safe.

But we must also look further ahead and this means making the most of the opportunities that can make local government in Nottinghamshire more resilient and help the county recover and work its way back to economic prosperity.

For residents, there is a benefit in joining up welfare, health, social care and housing services in one place.

The ability to be able to plan around needs, rather than policy is a move that would put the interest of residents first and foremost.

A single unitary solution would enable us to continue to deliver adult social care services across the same footprint as we do now, but in a more coordinated, less complicated way.

We would be able to work alongside hospitals, primary and community health services, mental health services, housing, the community and the voluntary sector to ensure integrated prevention, care and treatment for our residents.

Click here for all the information you need to know about the future of local government and why it is the right time for change.

Put simply, it’s better, simpler and saves taxpayers money.

Coun Tony Harper is chairman of the adult social care committee and the health and wellbeing board at Nottinghamshire County Council.