Agenda item

At its meeting of 29^th June 2016, Cabinet resolved to proceed with the next stage of the Devolution Deal announced in March 2016. As part of that decision Cabinet approved the Governance Scheme for public consultation.

Cabinet also resolved to:

“d)  Authorise the Chief Executive to subsequently submit to the

Secretary of State;

i.  the Governance Scheme;

ii. the consultation responses received (or an appropriate

summary); and

iii. any further consultation response that the Council itself may

wish to make to the Secretary of State for the Department

of Communities and Local Government;

e)   Authorise the Chief Executive to make any minor amendments or

corrections to the governance scheme to enable publication of the

scheme for public consultation.

f)   Refer any resulting Order to Cabinet for approval.”

This report now provides Cabinet with an update of the actions taken since the 29th June, and asks Cabinet to consider the following recommendations.

Ian Bell (Bath Business Community) said that Bath Business Community were very keen to see the Devolution deal accepted.  It was the right thing to take the deal through the consultation with public and stakeholders, and the deal would give some certainty to the whole area.  Ian Bell concluded his statement by saying that some members of the Bath Business Community did not like the word, or concept, of Mayor though they had congratulated the Council on successful negotiations with the government in terms of the deal.

Councillor Robin Moss said that he was disappointed that the decision on Devolution would be taken by the Cabinet, and not the Council.  Councillor Moss felt that this was a major change in partnership work with other Councils, and for that reason the decision should be taken by the Full Council.  Councillor Moss concluded his statement by saying that, in general, Labour Group had approved principles of the Devolution.

Councillor Dine Romero expressed her concerns that, taking into account the importance of the matter, a short report on the Devolution was only available in the last few days.  Councillor Romero also expressed her concerns that only small portion of the population took part in the consultation.  Councillor Romero concluded her statement by suggesting that the Combined Authority should have a Chair and not a Mayor.

David Redgewell address the Cabinet as per his statement sent in advance of the meeting [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website].

Trevor Osbourne also welcomed the Devolution deal and the retention of business rates.  Trevor Osbourne did express his concern on the fact that Bristol was built through trade and Bath through culture, and that we must recognise that two cities would have different needs.  Trevor Osbourne also expressed his concern on business rates retention in Bath by highlighting that culture, further education, voluntary sector, charity and small independent traders do not pay business rates.

Councillor Tim Warren said this was a key moment on what had been a long journey for the Council, and its neighbours, to ensure we get the best possible deal from Government for our residents now and for the future.  The paper had set out the draft order for the creation of the new West of England Combined authority which would be the vehicle for us receiving and delivering many of the powers and funding we had been lobbying and negotiating for over the last months.  The area had achieved the best deal, one that far outweighs any other devolution deal done elsewhere in the country.  In terms of protections for our area, we had secured more safeguards than any other deal in the country. This wasn’t an easy journey because Devolution involves central government giving up control on things and that was not easy for it to do. There was still a lot of work to be done so that we benefit from the deal.

Councillor Tim Warren moved the recommendations.

Councillor Charles Gerrish seconded the motion by supporting the Leader and by recognising his role in making this happen and in achieving what was the best deal available.  The area would benefit from 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot; based on the budgeted level of business rates income in 2016/17, it was estimated that an additional £18.9m would be retained by the West of England authorities in 2017/18 as a result. For B&NEs this would be in the region of £2m plus additional revenue next year.  Councillor Charles Gerrish welcomed the fact that the deal would open discussions over the potential for a significant new Housing Investment Fund, and that the Government had committed to working with B&NES and Highways England to look at options to link the A36 and A46.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones commented that the Devolution deal would shape the WoE for the delivery of economic development.  The area would need the development of infrastructure, with Metro West being one of the key projects for its delivery.

Councillor Liz Richardson said that we should embrace, and not be concerned with the change.  Councillor Liz Richardson also said that, from her portfolio perspective, the most positive thing from the Devolution deal was about the new Housing Investment Fund.

Councillor Anthony Clarke expressed his support to the Devolution deal, in particular with co-working arrangements with other authorities on transport matters.

Councillor Martin Veal said that nobody would want to see return to Avon, hence why so many safeguards had been put in place.  Councillor Martin Veal praised Councillor Tim Warren for his contribution in securing the best deal and added that this would make WoE the powerhouse that other authorities in the country would envy.

Councillor Paul Myers also supported the deal by saying that this would improve partnership working with neighbouring authorities, which would be of benefit to our residents.

Councillor Michael Evans also supported the deal by highlighting that the Combined Authority Mayor would be directly accountable to the public.

Councillor Vic Pritchard commended the work of the Leader and officers for getting the best deal in the country.  However, Councillor Vic Pritchard expressed his concern that only 0.19% of the population took part in the consultation.  Councillor Vic Pritchard said that he would abstain from voting on this matter.

Councillor Tim Warren concluded the debate by saying that this was a long and difficult process and there was still work to do, and the Council had not taken the issues this agenda creates lightly, but in the interests of the area and residents.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Note the Summary of Consultation Responses report, and the Representations submitted to the Secretary of State ;

2)  Note the principles in the Governance Scheme are delivered subject to the variations detailed in Appendix B

3)  Subject to the safeguard in recommendation 2.5 below give consent to the establishment of the West of England Combined Authority

4)  Appoint the Leader of the Council as this Council’s Member of West of England Combined Authority;

5)  Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of Council, the authority to take all decisions, to make all necessary appointments, arrangements and provide written confirmation to the Secretary of State consenting to the making of the Order creating a West of England Combined Authority;

6)  Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make all consequential amendments to the Constitution.