79 Heart of the South West - Joint Committee (00-32-28) PDF 312 KB
To receive a report of the Chief Executive requesting consideration and approval of the establishment of a Joint Committee for the Heart of the South West and the arrangements to support its future working.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Chief Executive requesting consideration and approval of the establishment of a Joint Committee for the Heart of the South West and the arrangements to support its future working.
The Leader outlined the contents of the report highlighting the proposed recommendations, the key functions of the joint committee and the supplementary amendment that had been added with regard to the publication of press releases and/or public documentation. All constituent authorities would consider the same report prior to January 2018.
Consideration was given to:
· Concerns regarding the possibility of the formation of a unitary authority – it was confirmed that no discussions along these lines had taken place.
· The fact that the Chancellor’s budget had highlighted the role of an Elected Mayor – it was confirmed that the HoSW Leaders would not be seeking an Elected Mayor
RECOMMENDED to Council that:
1. the recommendation of the HotSW Leaders (meeting as a shadow Joint Committee) to form a Joint Committee for the Heart of the South West be approved;
2. the Arrangements and Inter-Authority Agreement documents set out in appendices A and B for the establishment of the Joint Committee with the commencement date of Monday 22nd January 2018 be approved;
a)
3. the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration be appointed as the Council’s named representative and substitute named representative on the Joint Committee;
4. Somerset County Council be appointed as the Administering Authority for the Joint Committee for a 2 year period commencing 22nd January 2018;
5. the transfer of the remaining joint devolution budget to meet the support costs of the Joint Committee for the remainder of 2017/18 financial year be approved subject to approval of any expenditure by the Administering Authority;
6. an initial contribution of £1,400 for 2018/19 to fund the administration be approved and the work programme of the Joint Committee, noting that any expenditure will be subject to the approval of the Administering Authority;
7. it agrees that the key function of the Joint Committee is to approve the Productivity Strategy (it is intended to bring the Strategy to the Joint Committee for approval by February 2018);
8. the initial work programme of the Joint Committee aimed at the successful delivery of the Productivity Strategy be authorised; and
9. It agrees the proposed meeting arrangements for the Joint Committee including the timetable of meetings for the Joint Committee as proposed in para 2.14 of the attached Background Report.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.