Agenda item

This report provides the consultation response regarding the Combined Authority which will help secure further devolution from Whitehall of powers and funding to support economic growth and job creation in York and West Yorkshire.

Recommended:That Council be recommended to:

i)             Welcome the publication of the Government consultation paper which invites the submission of views by Thursday 2 January 2014;

ii)            Endorse the proposed constitutional arrangements and functions of the Combined Authority as set out in the consultation paper;

iii)          Approve the proposed approach to responding to the consultation;

iv)      Authorise the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Leader) to make a formal response to the Department for Communities and Local Government confirming the Council’s support for the establishment of the Combined Authority and take such other steps as are considered appropriate to facilitate the preparation of the Order; and

iv)          Note the next steps and timetable and in particular that providing Government is satisfied that the proposals for a Combined Authority for West Yorkshire command wide local support and also meet the required statutory conditions, the Secretary of State will invite Parliament to approve the Order establishing the Combined Authority.

v)           Authorise further work and discussions with the Combined Authority regarding any legislative developments that would allow York to become a full member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority given the strong economic and transport case.

vi)          Authorise further work and discussions with the Combined Authority regarding the functional arrangements of the Combined Authority to ensure any changes in the medium to longer term are in York’s best interests.

Reason:     To allow the further development of the Combined Authority to ensure the future economic prosperity of York by accessing additional key transport funding opportunities.

Members considered a report which updated Cabinet on developments since endorsement in May of the final governance Review and Scheme for a Combined Authority (CA) for the area of West Yorkshire, including Leeds, with the City of York Council proposed as a ‘non constituent member’. A Government consultation document, attached at Annex A of the report had been published on 7 November 2013 and Members were asked to consider a formal response to the constitutional arrangements and functions of a Combined Authority for the area of West Yorkshire.

The report reviewed the consultation paper and proposed a response for submission by 2 January 2014. It was noted that the partnership approach would offer the greatest potential maximising the level of transport funding for York and that an £83m package of transport schemes was being progressed for the city through the West Yorkshire Plus York Transport Fund.

It was proposed that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Council’s legal team and the Leader would make a formal response and continue discussions for the city’s progression to becoming a full member of the CA.

The Leader referred to the opportunities arising from membership of the CA and access to additional funding for transport schemes. He confirmed that the decision would form a recommendation to the Council meeting on12 December for final agreement.

Cabinet Members endorsed and reiterated the potential benefits and importance of membership in helping solve the congestion and transport challenges in the city and surrounding areas.

Following further discussion it was

Recommended:That Council be recommended to:

i)             Welcome the publication of the Government consultation paper which invites the submission of views by Thursday 2 January 2014;

ii)            Endorse the proposed constitutional arrangements and functions of the Combined Authority as set out in the consultation paper;

iii)          Approve the proposed approach to responding to the consultation;

iv)      Authorise the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Leader) to make a formal response to the Department for Communities and Local Government confirming the Council’s support for the establishment of the Combined Authority and take such other steps as are considered appropriate to facilitate the preparation of the Order; and

iv)          Note the next steps and timetable and in particular that providing Government is satisfied that the proposals for a Combined Authority for West Yorkshire command wide local support and also meet the required statutory conditions, the Secretary of State will invite Parliament to approve the Order establishing the Combined Authority.

v)           Authorise further work and discussions with the Combined Authority regarding any legislative developments that would allow York to become a full member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority given the strong economic and transport case.

ⁱⁱ⁾                   Authorise further work and discussions with the Combined Authority regarding the functional arrangements of the Combined Authority to ensure any changes in the medium to longer term are in York’s best interests.  ^1.

Reason:     To allow the further development of the Combined Authority to ensure the future economic prosperity of York by accessing additional key transport funding opportunities.