Agenda item

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

Resolved:

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves the proposals outlined in the submitted report for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s decision-making arrangements, including in relation to structures and membership, following the election of a Mayor for West Yorkshire.

(b)      That officers be asked to work up the detail of the governance arrangements including terms of reference for the committees, the scope of delegated authority to be exercised by each of the decision-making committees and frequency of meetings to enable this to be approved and implemented at the Annual Meeting of the Combined Authority on 24 June 2021.

(c)      That the Combined Authority notes that to enable the Authority to make the necessary appointments to the new committee arrangements at the Annual Meeting, officers will be required to liaise with Constituent Councils following the local elections to seek nominations based on the proposed committee structure and membership in anticipation of the formal appointment of the same on 24 June 2021.

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

Members discussed the proposals for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s current decision-making arrangements.  An overview of the principles and options highlighting the key elements was provided in the submitted report and the current and proposed structures were attached at Appendices 1 and 2. It was reported that the proposals and alternative options had been considered by the West Yorkshire Leaders in the context of the new functions and funding arising from the West Yorkshire devolution deal.  It was considered that the proposed new arrangements would better reflect the changed role and responsibilities of the Authority following the appointment of a Mayor for West Yorkshire. 

The proposal to establish formal Combined Authority member portfolio leads was discussed together with the suggested membership across the new committee arrangements which was set out in Appendix 4.  Concern was raised regarding the lack of political balance on some committees and Members were reminded that West Yorkshire was the only Combined Authority that includes opposition members and that the new scrutiny committees would be chaired by opposition members to the Mayor.

Members considered the proposals in respect of the Transport Committee outlined in the submitted report.  It was noted that because of the current complex and demanding transport agenda, significant input was needed from the Chair of the Committee outside the committee cycle.  It was therefore agreed that the Transport Committee be retained in its current form at the present time and reviewed following the annual meeting.  It was noted that the Authority had previously agreed to establish a Transport Scrutiny Committee which would be appointed at the annual meeting. It was however possible that this Scrutiny Committee would have a wider remit than just transport and it was therefore proposed that the extent of its work programme be phased in during the course of the municipal year. Councillor Harrand, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee expressed his concern regarding the proposal and asked for clarification on when the review of Transport Committee was expected to be undertaken and the timescales for the phased approach to moving to an enhanced scrutiny arrangement.  Members were advised that the review would be undertaken at the earliest opportunity although any changes would not be made until the annual meeting in 2022.

Councillor Pandor was thanked for his work with the Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel.  While it was proposed that panel would not continue under the new arrangements, the importance of ensuring inclusive growth was embedded in all the committees was acknowledged and this would be reflected in their terms of reference and metrics.

The Authority approved the proposals for changes to be made to the decision-making arrangements. Local authorities will be asked to nominate representatives following the local elections and details of the governance arrangements would be worked up to enable the revised committee arrangements to be put in place at the Combined Authority’s Annual Meeting.

Resolved:

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves the proposals outlined in the submitted report for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s decision-making arrangements, including in relation to structures and membership, following the election of a Mayor for West Yorkshire.

(b)      That officers be asked to work up the detail of the governance arrangements including terms of reference for the committees, the scope of delegated authority to be exercised by each of the decision-making committees and frequency of meetings to enable this to be approved and implemented at the Annual Meeting of the Combined Authority on 24 June 2021.

(c)      That the Combined Authority notes that to enable the Authority to make the necessary appointments to the new committee arrangements at the Annual Meeting, officers will be required to liaise with Constituent Councils following the local elections to seek nominations based on the proposed committee structure and membership in anticipation of the formal appointment of the same on 24 June 2021.