Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive (CX/17/25) seeking approval to the process for the production of the HoSWD Productivity Plan and the establishment, in principle, of a Joint Committee with HoSWD Partners, attached.

(Councillors Connett, Dempster, Greenslade, Hook and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Executive (CX/17/25) on  the process for the production of the HoSWD Productivity Plan and the establishment, in principle, of a Joint Committee with HoSWD Partners.

Devolution for the Heart of the South West (HotSW) was being led by Devon and Somerset County Councils, all Somerset and Devon Districts, Torbay Council, Plymouth City Council, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the three Clinical Commissioning Groups.  This Group had become an informal partnership working towards a Devolution Deal with government to secure greater power and control and provide a stronger voice for the area. Regular updates on progress and key documents were provided on the Council’s web page https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/how-the-council-works/devolution/

The Report outlined the proposed Productivity Plan which would  replace the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan - providing the impetus for the recommendations now before the Cabinet.  The Plan would be the key strategic document for partners to engage with Government on a range of investment opportunities and powers emerging from the Industrial Strategy and the National Infrastructure Fund. 

The Report also reflected the position reached with the Government on a Combined Authority/Devolution Deal where, with no agreement currently in sight, constituent authorities were now being recommended to put in place an alternative formal collaboration arrangement at HotSW level, at the appropriate time, to maintain and take forward the momentum achieved by the partnership to date.

The suggested HotSW Joint Committee would provide a formal strategic partnership to complement and maximise the ability of local sub-regional arrangements to deliver its aspirations, allowing partners to collaborate to agree and deliver the Productivity Plan as well as engage effectively with the Government, other deal areas and other LEPs on a range of policy agendas, working together as a precursor to the establishment of a Combined Authority and  working alongside and influencing the LEP on strategic investment decisions affecting the HotSW area and secure improvements to LEP governance and accountability.

Cabinet Members noted concerns expressed by those in attendance under Standing Order 25  at the existing underlying proposals for a devolution deal and its potential for a diminution of local democratic accountability  and to the possible requirement for an elected mayor: a view not shared by the Cabinet or the HotSW Partnership.  Further, and in considering the recommendations set out in the Chief Executive’s Report, Members acknowledged that the new County Council would, after the  elections in May 2017 have the opportunity to confirm this proposal and determine the detailed arrangements for the establishment, composition and administration of any Joint Committee established.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy, and

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to:

(a) note the update about the HotSW Combined Authority/Devolution Deal proposals and that a Joint Committee, if established, would have responsibility for developing future ‘deal’ and combined authority proposals for recommendation to the constituent authorities;

(b) approve the proposals for the HotSW Productivity Plan preparation and consultation proposals with the Joint Committee, if established, having responsibility for approving and overseeing the implementation of the Productivity Plan;

(c) agree ‘in principle’ to the establishment of a HotSW Joint Committee with a Commencement Date of Friday 1 September 2017 in accordance with the summary proposals set out in Report CX/17/25; and

(d) confirm that the decision at (c) above would be subject to further recommendation and report to [to all constituent authorities] after the County Council elections in May 2017 to re-affirm the establishment of the Joint Committee, agree any ‘constitutional arrangements’ therefor, any ‘Inter-Authority Agreement’ setting out the support arrangements and appointing representatives to the Joint Committee and an Administering Authority.