Agenda item - Combined Authority Update
Agenda item
Combined Authority Update
- Meeting of Hybrid meeting, Council, Wednesday, 22nd July, 2020 6.00 pm (Item 16.)
- View the declarations of interest for item 16.
Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.
Minutes:
Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought confirmation of support for South Ribble Borough Council’s involvement in current discussions to create a combined authority for Lancashire and for the inclusion of a directly elected mayor and local government reorganisation as part of a devolution deal.
The Council had previously supported the principles of a combined authority in Lancashire and it was acknowledged that the issue of local government reorganisation had gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, explained that a White Paper on local government reform was expected to be published in autumn 2020 and would be shared with Full Council in due course.
Emphasis was placed on finding the most appropriate solution for South Ribble’s residents and communities.
Debate ensued across the chamber on Lancashire County Council’s stance on the matter. Councillor Paul Foster informed members that the County Council had expressed a desire for enhanced unitary authorities in Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen and a combined authority consisting of other district councils in Lancashire. In response, Councillor Michael Green argued that Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet had not yet indicated any such support.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor David Howarth, expressed some concern on behalf of his group regarding the gradual erosion of local democracy. Councillor Howarth felt that a directly-elected Mayor would be unaccountable to communities and moved an amendment to the proposal as follows:
“That Council recognises the prominent roles of town and parish councils and agrees to bring forward proposals to parish the whole borough”.
In response, the Monitoring Officer suggested alternative wording that the council would “agree to investigate bringing forward proposals to parish the whole borough” as the Council did not have the power to impose such change. Councillor Howarth was amenable to this change and the amended motion was seconded by Councillor Angela Turner.
Following debate, the voting on the Amended Motion was recorded and the members present at the time voted as follows:
FOR THE AMENDED MOTION:
Councillors Will Adams, Jacky Alty, Jane Bell, Renee Blow, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Mal Donoghue, Bill Evans, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Mick Higgins, David Howarth, Sue Jones, Chris Lomax, Keith Martin, Christine Melia, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Ian Watkinson, Carol Wooldridge.
AGAINST THE AMENDED MOTION:
Councillors Damian Bretherton, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Clark, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Jon Hesketh, Caroline Moon, Jacqui Mort, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, John Rainsbury, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, David Suthers, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson, Paul Wharton-Hardman.
Councillor Jim Marsh ABSTAINED.
Councillors Michael Green and Barrie Yates did not vote on the amended motion.
It was declared that the Amended Motion was carried and it was RESOLVED (Yes: 25 No: 18 Abstain: 1)
That
1. the council confirms its support for South Ribble Borough Council’s involvement in the current discussions to create a combined authority for Lancashire, subject to the final proposals being agreed by full council;
2. the council supports in principle the inclusion of a directly elected mayor and local government reorganisation as part of a devolution deal, recognising that there are no set solutions for reorganisation and subject to further agreement by full council as proposals are developed; and
3. the council recognises the prominent roles of town and parish councils and agrees to investigate bringing forward proposals to parish the whole borough.
Supporting documents: