Agenda item

Council is asked to consider the establishment of a Combined Authority for Leicester and Leicestershire.

Council received a report which provided information in relation to the establishment of a Combined Authority for Leicester and Leicestershire and associated Scheme and Governance Review for submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Camamile that the decision made at the meeting on 12 October in relation to the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Leicester & Leicestershire Combined Authority and Business Rates pool (minute 205 parts (iii), (iv) and (v) refers) be rescinded and revisited. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED.

It was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Camamile that the Scheme for the Combined Authority, and the Governance be approved, and the publication of the Scheme and its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government be authorised. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED.

It was moved by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Camamile that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive, be authorised to:

(a)          make any final amendments to the Scheme and Governance Review prior to their submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government in December 2015 or January 2016;

(b)          enter into discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government and any such other Government departments and other persons as considered necessary to agree the terms of the Order establishing the Combined Authority and to approve the final form of the Order on behalf of the Council;

(c)          negotiate, agree and execute all ancillary documents in support of the operation of the Combined Authority, including (without limitation) the constitution of the Combined Authority;

(d)          take all decisions and actions necessary to enable the establishment of the Combined Authority.

Councillor Lay suggested an amendment in that the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission should be consulted on any significant changes. The Leader and seconder of the original motion supported this AMENDMENT and the motion, as amended, was CARRIED.

It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Camamile and

RESOLVED –

(i)            the Scheme for the Combined Authority be approved;

(ii)           the Governance Review be approved;

(iii)          the publication of the Scheme and its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government be authorised;

(iv)         The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive, be authorised to make any final amendments to the Scheme and Governance Review prior to their submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government in December 2015 or January 2016;

(v)          The Chief Executive, following consultation with the Executive, be authorised to enter into discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government and such other Government departments and other persons as considered necessary by the Chief Executive to agree the terms of the Order establishing the Combined Authority and to approve the final form of the Order on behalf of the Council;

(vi)         The Chief Executive, following consultation with the Executive, be authorised to:

a.    Negotiate, agree and execute all ancillary documents in support of the operation of the Combined Authority, including (without limitation) the constitution of the Combined Authority; and

b.    Take all decisions and actions necessary to enable the establishment of the Combined Authority;

(vii)        The Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission be consulted on any significant changes arising during these further negotiations.