Issue - meetings

To provide an update in relation to the proposals for both Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.  

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Nuttall and SECONDED by Councillor Keeling and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1)    Note the update on Local Government Reorganisation.

2)    Delegate authority to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, to continue to develop proposals for the form and coverage of future principal authorities.

3)    Report back to the next Executive meeting with an update on the preparation of the Business Case.

The Executive considered the report which provided an update in relation to the proposals for both Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.

The item was not given notification in the Executive Forward Plan for over the required 28 days. In accordance with Section 4.19.2 (d) of the Council’s Constitution, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is satisfied that the update is of special urgency and that it cannot reasonably be deferred.

Councillor Bullivant spoke to this item in relation to ensuring that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee have an opportunity to debate the proposals. The Leader supported his comments.

The Leader referenced a letter from the County Council Network in relation to the Cabinet and Ministerial reshuffle conducted by the Prime Minister over the weekend preceding the meeting. The ministerial team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has changed to Steve Reed as Secretary of State and Alison McGovern as Minister of State.

The Leader highlighted that he would be asking for clarification from MHCLG on the future direction of devolution and local government reorganisation.

Councillor Nuttall spoke to this item, confirming that the 1-4-5 option remained the preferred option based against the criteria set out by MHCLG.

The Managing Director spoke to the work ongoing to produce proposals and that the Executive would be updated at its October meeting. An extraordinary Full Council is being arranged for November, and the Managing Director would liaise with the Chair of the Council, the Leader and Councillor Nuttall to confirm the date.

The Leader spoke to the results of the public consultation as detailed in the report. 

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors highlighted (e.g. financial, legal and risk implications), it was PROPOSED by Councillor Nuttall and SECONDED by Councillor Keeling and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1)    Note the update on Local Government Reorganisation.

2)    Delegate authority to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, to continue to develop proposals for the form and coverage of future principal authorities.

3)    Report back to the next Executive meeting with an update on the preparation of the Business Case.