City leader to chair One Nottingham

JON Collins, the leader of Nottingham City Council, has been officially announced as chairman of a regeneration body.

The move means that the council's control of One Nottingham, a partnership of city businesses, the voluntary sector and health service, is strengthened.

Councillors on the authority's executive board will be appointed as chairmen or vice chairmen of the body's committees.

They carry out detailed work on particular subjects, such as health or economic development.

The council's chief executive, Jane Todd, will lead an executive group of One Nottingham.

Coun Collins (pictured) succeeds Nottingham North MP, Graham Allen as chairman.

He previously chaired the forerunner of One Nottingham, which was known as the One City Partnership. At that time the board became divided and it suspended itself in 2004 following a damning review from the Government Office for the East Midlands.

At a meeting of the council's executive board, which approved the changes, opposition Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Sutton said there were "operational advantages" in the current changes. But he added: "We must make sure other groups bring a strong input."

But Labour councillor Jane Urquhart said: "It seems to me the board is quite well balanced and has independent voices on it."

One Nottingham. which has a budget of about £15m a year, aims to bring together all sectors of society to deliver a long term vision for the city.