Issue - meetings

This report seeks Cabinet approval to the replacement of the Business Rates Pool sub-committee by a new joint committee of the seven Pool authorities, following the establishment of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Similar approvals are to be sought from the executives/cabinets of the other six Pool authorities.

Resolved: That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Appoint the Leader of the Council to a new joint committee in relation to the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool from 1^st April 2015 until the 2016 Annual Meeting, such joint committee to consist of the Leader of each Pool authority, and to have the terms of reference set out in Annex 1 of the report;

(ii)      Approve the revised governance agreement for the Business Rates Pool as set out in Annex 2 of the report.

Reason:            To enable appropriate governance arrangements to be in place following the winding up of the Leader’s Board.

Consideration was given to a report which set out details of the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool which had come into being on 1 April 2013. The Pool consisted of seven local authorities which had been brought together to further economic development activities within the region and to allow business rates to be retained locally. With the establishment of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the winding up of the Leaders’ Board, that the Business Rates Pool sub-committee would be unable continue in its present form.

It was noted that it was proposed to replace the sub-committee by a new joint committee of the seven pool authorities and that the terms of reference of the new committee would be broadened to include a reference to receipts being used to further economic growth and regeneration across the Pool area.

Cabinet were asked to accept or reject the proposal, however if the proposal was rejected and the Joint Committee was abolished it was noted that there would be no means of administering the business rates pooling arrangement after 31^st March.

Resolved: That Cabinet agree to:

(i)           Appoint the Leader of the Council to a new joint committee in relation to the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool from 1^st April 2015 until the 2016 Annual Meeting, such joint committee to consist of the Leader of each Pool authority, and to have the terms of reference set out in Annex 1 of the report;

(ii)      Approve the revised governance agreement for the Business Rates Pool as set out in Annex 2 of the report. ^1.

Reason:          To enable appropriate governance arrangements to be in place following the winding up of the Leader’s Board.