Issue - meetings

Devolution implementation – consultation responses

Meeting: 04/09/2020 - West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Item 37)

37 Devolution implementation pdf icon PDF 864 KB

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Alan Reiss)

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

Resolved:

 

(a)    That the report be noted.

 

(b)    That the Summary of Consultation Responses be submitted to the Secretary of State by 11 September 2020, and that approval be given to jointly delegate authority to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive of each Constituent Council and the Chair of the Combined Authority, to finalise and submit documents subject to any technical issues which may arise.

 

(c)    That the updated timetable set out in Appendix 2 to the report and the next steps which are subject to the consent being given by the Constituent Councils and Combined Authority, to the draft Order in November 2020 so that a mayoral combined authority model and associated changes may be adopted and implemented by May 2021, as set out in the Deal be noted.

 

(d)   That this decision is exempt from call-in on the grounds of urgency, for the reasons set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report.

 

(e)   That Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council Chief Executive be appointed as the Combined Authority Returning Officer (CARO) in respect of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral election, due to take place on Thursday 6 May 2021, subject to this appointment being confirmed by the Combined Authority following the devolution Order being made in early 2021.

 

(f)    That the West Yorkshire Combined Authority becomes a full member of the Yorkshire Leaders Board, including providing a financial contribution to support regional working in line with that of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and larger constituent local authorities.

Minutes:

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Policy Strategy and Communications on devolution implementation.

 

Members discussed the outcome of the public consultation on the Scheme which had been undertaken jointly by the Constituent Councils and the Combined Authority.  In response to comments raised in respect of future decision making for issues such as planning, housing and spatial development strategy, it was clarified that decisions in relation to the spatial development strategy would need the unanimous consent of each member of the Combined Authority appointed by a Constituent Council (excluding political balancing members).  Decision that directly impact upon a council area (eg. compulsory purchase) would require the consent of the member for the area affected (excluding political balancing members). A summary of the consultation responses has been published on the website and it was agreed that this be submitted to the Secretary of State by 11 September 2020.  In order to ensure that the submission incorporates any issues which may be raised by any Constituent Council or the Combined Authority before 11 September 2020, it was agreed that authority be jointly delegated to the Combined Authority’s Managing Director, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive of each Constituent Council and the Chair of the Combined Authority, to finalise and submit documents subject to any technical issues which may arise. 

 

The report set out the next steps for implementing the deal and a revised timetable was attached at Appendix 2 to the submitted report.  It was agreed that the decisions taken in respect of the report be exempt from call-in by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  This was on the grounds of urgency as any delay caused by the call-in process would prejudice the Combined Authority’s and Constituent Councils’ interests as delaying the submission to the Secretary of State, which would have a significant detrimental impact on the proposed timeline set out in Appendix 2.

 

With regard to the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) functions, it was reported that consultants had been appointed to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of the transfer and a critical path if this is to be achieved by May 2021.  A final report is anticipated in the near future and this will be progressed with a view to resolution prior to the ‘consent stage’ (due in November 2020) for Constituent Councils and the Combined Authority if any issues arise from the due diligence work that require further action.

 

It was reported that Combined Authority officers are working closely with the Electoral Services Manager at Leeds City Council in order to prepare for the election of the Mayor in May 2021.  It was agreed that the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan, be appointed as the Combined Authority Returning Officer (CARO), supported by the Combined Authority’s Managing Director, Ben Still, as one of the Deputy Combined Authority Returning Officers.

 

Members considered the invitation for the Combined Authority to become a full member of the Yorkshire Leaders Board.  It was noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37