Core Cities

The problem:

Nottingham is represented by six local authorities - the City of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire County Council, Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe and the Hucknall area of Ashfield. It is only when the population of all of these economically interdependent areas are added together - 650,000 - that we can be considered a Core City. Modern city governance demands that other sectors can - and must - contribute. Raising skills, for example, involves great effort at community level and by business, while the voluntary sector often provides a safe setting where people can find their feet. There must be links between these sectors and providers of education at all levels, including schools. Paradoxically, in other areas Nottingham has too many partnerships. That can cloud roles and drain resources.