Agenda item

The local authorities of the West of England (Bristol, B&NES, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire), in partnership with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, have worked together to secure the best available devolution deal for the West of England.  This report notes the latest position and invites comments in advance of the formal deal being put to Council in June.

The Council considered a report noting the latest position on the devolution deal and inviting comments in advance of the formal deal being put to Council in June.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Myers, seconded by Councillor Lisa O’Brien, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To welcome the principle of devolving funding and powers down from Government to the local area.

2.  To welcome in particular the aspects of the deal relating to devolved infrastructure funding, multi-year transport funding, devolved further education budget, and the additional powers over public transport, further education, skills and development.

3.  To seek greater certainty from Government that this funding can be guaranteed over the next 30 years;

4.  To note that these proposals represent the best financial deal per capita of any devolution deal in the country.

5.  To note the safeguards contained within the proposals protecting the autonomy of each constituent Council, in particular the protection of all Council assets and services, as well as the veto over strategic planning.

6.  To voice objection to the aspect of the proposals relating to the creation of a West of England Mayor.

7.  To ask that the Leader and relevant officers work alongside the other authorities involved in the devolution proposal to undertake further discussions with Government seeking to remove the aspect of the proposals relating to the creation of a Mayor, and that as part of these discussions a preference is stated for an alternative Governance model based upon a Chairman chosen from the existing Members of the Strategic Leaders Board by a vote of those Members, appointed for a term of up to four years (or until that person is subject to re-election within their own authority).

8.  To report back to Council the outcome of the above discussions as part of Council’s considerations on the devolution proposals, and, should Council approve any devolution arrangements in principle, agree that a full consultation is undertaken with the residents of Bath and North East Somerset prior to any new arrangements being implemented.

[Notes:

1.  Wording for resolution 3 above was proposed by Councillor Vic Pritchard and accepted into the substantive motion by the mover and seconder, as a minor adjustment to the wording.

2.  During debate, an amendment was moved by Councillor Robin Moss and seconded by Councillor Joe Rayment to the effect that, if agreement was not reached on the Metro Mayor, Council would call for a referendum on 23^rd June.  This was lost on a named vote (20 for, 39 against);

Councillors voting in favour; - Councillors Rob Appleyard, Tim Ball, Lisa Brett, John Bull, Jonathan Carr, Paul Crossley, Andy Furse, Ian Gilchrist, Liz Hardman, Steve Hedges, Eleanor Jackson, Alison Millar, Robin Moss, Lin Patterson, Joe Rayment, Nigel Roberts, Caroline Roberts, Dine Romero, Will Sandry, Shaun Stephenson-McGall.

Councillors voting against: - Councillors Patrick Anketell-Jones, Colin Barrett, Jasper Becker, Sarah Bevan, Colin Blackburn, Anthony Clarke, Matt Cochrane, Fiona Darey, Matthew Davies, Doug Deacon, Emma Dixon, Michael Evans, Charles Gerrish, Bob Goodman, Alan Hale, Donal Hassett, Deirdre Horstmann, Steve Jefferies, Les Kew, Marie Longstaff, Barry Macrae, Paul May, Paul Myers, Michael Norton, Lisa O’Brien, Bryan Organ, Chris Pearce, June Player, Vic Pritchard, Liz Richardson, Mark Shelford, Brian Simmons, Peter Turner, Martin Veal, David Veale, Karen Walker, Geoff Ward, Tim Warren, Karen Warrington.

3.  During debate, an amendment was moved by Councillor Dine Romero and seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley to seek government support for a local referendum on whether B&NES residents wanted a Metro Mayor as part of the devolution package.  This was lost on a named vote (19 for, 39 against, 1 abstention);

Councillors voting in favour; - Councillors Rob Appleyard, Tim Ball, Lisa Brett, John Bull, Jonathan Carr, Paul Crossley, Andy Furse, Ian Gilchrist, Liz Hardman, Steve Hedges, Eleanor Jackson, Alison Millar, Robin Moss, Joe Rayment, Nigel Roberts, Caroline Roberts, Dine Romero, Will Sandry, Shaun Stephenson-McGall.

Councillors voting against; - Councillors Patrick Anketell-Jones, Colin Barrett, Jasper Becker, Sarah Bevan, Colin Blackburn, Anthony Clarke, Matt Cochrane, Fiona Darey, Matthew Davies, Doug Deacon, Emma Dixon, Michael Evans, Charles Gerrish, Bob Goodman, Alan Hale, Donal Hassett, Deirdre Horstmann, Steve Jefferies, Les Kew, Marie Longstaff, Barry Macrae, Paul May, Paul Myers, Michael Norton, Lisa O’Brien, Bryan Organ, Chris Pearce, June Player, Vic Pritchard, Liz Richardson, Mark Shelford, Brian Simmons, Peter Turner, Martin Veal, David Veale, Karen Walker, Geoff Ward, Tim Warren, Karen Warrington.

Councillors abstaining; - Councillor Lin Patterson

4.  The successful resolution was passed with 57 Councillors voting in favour, and 2 Councillors abstaining.]