Council motion from September 17 meeting
Last updated: 1/10/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) councillors met at a Full Council meeting on Thursday September 17, 2026.
The only motion discussed was on the proposed A46 Newark Bypass improvement scheme.
Outcome: Motion carried
Councillor Clarke proposed the motion to:
- Formally oppose the Government's decision to cancel funding for the A46 improvement programme and the A38 improvement works to the detriment of Rushcliffe residents and businesses.
- Write to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and local Members of Parliament expressing the Council's deep concern and urging the Government to reinstate funding, which is much needed in the East Midlands region.
- Work with neighbouring councils, EMCCA and MPs to present a united case for the reinstatement of the scheme, to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to invest not only in Rushcliffe but the entire East Midlands.
- Request that the Leader of the Council updates Members on any response received from Government and on ongoing efforts to secure the investment required.
The Leader stated that this motion was important as it related to the economic growth of the Borough and referred to the importance of this vitally needed highway improvement, which had been cancelled by the Government. Congestion on the A46 around Newark was significant, costing businesses money and inconveniencing residents in Rushcliffe and he felt that it was right that the Secretary of State should be made aware of the impact this cancellation would have on Rushcliffe’s residents and businesses.
The Leader stated that he had been pleased to join the Mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and the Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council to publicise the various options, and he was pleased that the Mayor of EMMCA was keen to push her opposition to this cancellation. He hoped that everyone would support the motion so that campaigning could take place to have this very important widening project reinstated.
Councillor Brennan seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Gaunt agreed that the bypass was very important, with the case for improved connectivity being repeatedly made by many, including Rushcliffe’s MP James Naish, who had spoken in Parliament about this. Councillor Gaunt stated that economic growth across the East Midlands continued to be constrained by decades of under investment and referred to previous speeches he had made in the Chamber calling for greater investment.
Councillor Gaunt advised that since 2024 the East Midlands had secured billions in funding and employment opportunities through EMCCA, and the East Midlands Growth Plan. Councillor Gaunt felt that if the Council wanted to secure investment, it should focus on those who now had influence over those decisions, rather than writing a letter to another minister, which would achieve nothing. Although he believed that the A46 bypass should form part of a wider vision for growth, and that Nottinghamshire deserved more investment, he could not support the motion, as whilst the objective was right, the approach was wrong.
Councillor Birch agreed that there had been regional funding and investment through EMCCA, although he agreed that the cancellation of the widening project was impacting Rushcliffe, including many residents and businesses in his ward.
Councillor Williams felt that this motion was important given the transport issues around Newark and improving the A46 would open this route up helping local businesses, residents and visitors to Rushcliffe.
It was proposed by Councillor Birch and seconded by Councillor Chewings that the meeting be extended to allow the motions on the agenda to be considered.
On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.
Councillor Simms stated that many residents in his ward were affected by this as was his family and questioned how this section had not be improved already and called for it to be done as soon as possible.
Whilst supporting the motion, Councillor Soloman questioned what writing a letter would achieve and felt that this needed to be dealt with working cross-party locally. She stated that funding had previously been allocated for this scheme and the EMCCA Mayor had indicated that she was happy to work with anyone to deliver this, as well as local MPs.
Councillor Birch requested that a recorded vote be taken, which was agreed by four Councillors.
The Leader advised that the motion was asking that neighbouring councils, EMCCA and MPs worked together, so the points raised had been covered.
In accordance with Standing Order Paragraph 4.23, a recorded vote was taken for this item as follows:
FOR: Councillors M Barney, T Birch, R Bird, A Brennan, A Brown, R Butler, K Chewings, N Clarke, T Combellack, J Cottee, S Ellis, E Georgiou, P Gowland, C Grocock, D Mason, P Matthews, H Om, H Parekh, N Regan, D Simms, D Soloman, R Upton, D Virdi, R Walker, T Wells, G Wheeler, J Wheeler, and G Williams
AGAINST: Councillors R Mallender, S Mallender, A Phillips and D Polenta
ABSTENTIONS: Councillors J Chaplain, G Fletcher, M Gaunt, L Plant, C Thomas, J Walker and L Way