Agenda item

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Angela Taylor)

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Corporate Services on governance arrangements.

Governance Documents

The report provided an update on the work that has been completed to date on the Combined Authority’s Constitution as part of the phased approach introduced and approved at the last meeting.  A summary of the timescales for approving the remaining documents was attached at Appendix 1.

As part of this phased approach, the Combined Authority approved further draft constitutional documents at Appendices 2-9 which addressed Mayoral functions, including PCC functions, most of which are to be in effect from 10 May 2021 when the Mayor is in office. Appendix 2 provided an introduction to the Combined Authority’s Constitution and the Protocol for the exercise of Concurrent Functions and Statutory Consents which would be introduced with immediate effect was attached at Appendix 4. This would be subject to review before the end of the calendar year.

Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) Reports

Members considered the IRP’s reports and recommendations for both the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime which were attached at Appendices 10 and 11.  Councillor Golton took no part in the discussion as he was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the role of West Yorkshire Mayor.

It was noted that following the changes to the scrutiny structure that were approved on 9 March 2021, an IRP was convened to reassess the level of allowances paid to the members, Chairs and Deputy Chairs (if appointed). Members were advised that there is no statutory provision to consult an IRP and their recommendations are intended to assist the Combined Authority in determining an appropriate level of remuneration.  It was noted that there is also no statutory requirement for the allowance of the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to be considered by an IRP as the power to determine their allowance rests with the Mayor.  However it was considered that in order to promote transparency and consistency the IRP be asked to also make recommendations for this role.

Resolved:

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves the Protocol for the exercise of Concurrent Functions and Statutory Consents attached at Appendix 4, to be of immediate effect and subject to review before the end of the calendar year.

(b)      That the Combined Authority approves the following documents to be of effect from 10 May 2021:

·       Articles 5-14 attached at Appendix 3

·       Part 4: Budget and Policy Procedure Rules attached at Appendix 5

·       Part 5: Revised members’ Code of Conduct and new Protocol for Member/officer relations attached at Appendices 7 and 8

(c)      That the Combined Authority approves the Petitions Scheme attached at Appendix 6, to be of effect from the Annual Meeting.

(d)      That the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to remuneration for members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committees attached at Appendix 10 be approved, to be of effect from the appointment of the committees.

(e)      That the report and advice of the IRP in relation to remuneration for the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime attached at Appendix 11 be noted.