An expanded unitary Nottingham would make a more viable city council, according to its chief executive, Michael Frater. The city – which is already unitary – did not apply for the change in last week's round of bids, but is hoping to convince the Government to let it grow. Mr Frater told The MJ: ‘We are seeking clarification to find out if Nottingham could expand its boundaries.' In its current position, Nottingham's inner-city is controlled by the city council, while outer parts of the Nottingham conurbation fall within district council borders. Making the city larger would give the city council more control over strategic issues for the city, but would also ‘improve crime and education' figures, according to Mr Frater. The council would go from bottom of the league tables in education to the middle of the league by absorbing some of the outer-city schools, Mr Frater is currently advising the Government on cutting bureaucracy in local government in the Lifting the Burdens Task Force.
