Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director.

The report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director was submitted to update Members on progress with devolution discussions and to seek approval to sign up to the principle only of creating a combined authority for the Heart of the South West. 

The Chief Executive & Growth Director advised that, in February of this year, Members had supported the themes in the prospectus for working towards securing a devolution deal for the Heart of the South West. The time line was to work towards a deal being announced in the autumn statement which would focus on transport and economic growth for the South West. 

The Leader stated that the proposals to be considered were for a Combined Authority and that it was important that there was an Exeter Sub Region to ensure the economic growth of the city and the adjoining authorities. The Combined Authority would enable the South West to have one stronger voice to ensure funding from central government particular in the areas of transport and economic development.

The Chief Executive & Growth Director clarified that the Combined Authority would be asking for powers from Central Government to better deal primarily with transport and economic development for the South West. The recommendation did not commit the Council to entering into a devolution deal or becoming a member of a Heart of the South West Combined Authority. Any deal would be subject to future debate and agreement by the Council and subject to negotiations with Government.

A Member commented that it was important that the transport links within the South West were improved and it was hoped that any deal would help to secure funding for this.

Members were circulated with a revised recommendation.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

(1)          it agrees in principle to sign up to the creation of a combined authority for the Heart of the South West, subject to:

a)    Exeter and the wider growth area being recognised as a fundamental contributor to improving productivity and this being given due prominence in any proposed devolution proposal or deal;

b)    the inclusion of appropriate, place-based decision making arrangements that reflect sub-regional geographies (i.e. the Greater Exeter area), with powers and flexibilities to agree and oversee, for example, the programmes addressing productivity and economic development, including investment in skills and business development;

c)    any governance review, consultation on that review and resulting scheme of governance making explicit reference to the principle of subsidiarity and double devolution and that review, consultation and scheme not reviewing, or advocating the review of, the organisation of local authorities in the Heart of the South West area i.e. participating local authorities’ electoral arrangements, governance arrangements, their constitution and membership, and structural and boundary arrangements;

d)    The Leader of the Council participating in any meetings or negotiations, including meetings with Government members and officials, that relate to devolution and/or the creation of a combined authority.

(2)          that giving this in principle agreement it notes that it does not commit the Council to entering into a devolution deal or becoming a member of a Heart of the South West Combined Authority. This would be subject to future debate and agreement by the Council and subject to negotiations with Government.