Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive (CX/16/20) on progress with discussions and approval  to continuing negotiations for a Combined Authority approach, attached.     

(Councillors Brazil, Connett, Greenslade, Julian, Owen 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/16/20) on continuing discussions between the Leaders of Somerset and Devon County Councils, Somerset and Devon District Councils, Torbay Council, Plymouth City Council, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the three Clinical Commissioning Groups and with Government relating to the development of a Devolution Deal to secure greater powers and provide a stronger voice for the Heart of the South West area.

The Report now submitted sought approval to the Council ‘signing-up’, in principle, to the pursuit of a devolution deal and the creation of a Combined Authority to administer the new powers and funding secured through that deal, to better position Councils to explore and take advantage of the opportunities that might arise through discussions with Government and future developments.

The Cabinet was advised that the progress made and proposals now submitted would require approval by all partner authorities, which would all consider a similar report in this cycle of meetings, to achieve the timetable set out therein.

Members noted the intention that, through continuing negotiation - in which the County Council would continue to take a full and active part - the partnership would strive to secure new powers and control of funding to create new jobs, raise skill levels, improve infrastructure, accelerate the integration of health and care services and secure greater powers over housing.  These measures would focus on raising productivity levels in the Heart of the South West and achieving greater prosperity for local people.

The specific impacts and implications of a draft deal would  be assessed and considered as part of the negotiation process.  The Heart of the South West Partnership would also and necessarily develop an Impact Needs Assessment at the start of the negotiation process which would be updated as specific powers were agreed.  It would also reflect the impact of the recommended governance arrangements and a final assessment would be provided alongside the draft deal and the draft governance scheme to inform subsequent decision making.

The Chairman re-affirmed, as previously recognised by Cabinet (Minute 438/9 December 2015) that the concept of double devolution was clearly accepted and would be integral to the development of any Deal, moving forward.

The Chief Executive re-affirmed that any final deal with Government would  be subject to the approval/ratification by Council and public consultation.  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 matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, 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 unanimously

RESOLVED that the County Council be recommended to:

(a)        endorse the Leaders approach to devolution and agree to sign up to the principle of creating a Combined Authority for the Heart of the South West, as set out in the Prospectus for Productivity, as the basis for negotiation with Government towards a Devolution Deal for the area;

(b)        note that giving this endorsement does not commit the Council to entering into a Devolution Deal or becoming a member of a Heart of the South West Combined Authority; that would be subject to future debate and agreement by the Council and subject to negotiations with Government.

{NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above will, in due course, be available at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].