The report of the Chief Executive (Executive Document “BZ”) explains that on the 11 March 2020, the Chancellor announced a “minded to” Mayoral Devolution Deal for the West Yorkshire area (covering the Local Authority areas of Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale). A report was considered by the Executive at its meeting on the 24 March which outlined the details of the devolution deal, its benefits for Bradford District, its people and its businesses and set out the required next steps.

The reports which went to Executive in March and May 2020:

-          endorsed the “minded to” deal on behalf of Bradford District,

-          agreed for and approved a statutory review to be undertaken jointly with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, other West Yorkshire Councils and the Combined Authority,

-          provided a draft Governance scheme to be produced for consideration, and

-          agreed a consultation to take place in June and July 2020 on the devolution proposals and its governance.

The consultation has been completed and a summary is attached to the report in appendices 1 and 2. The next steps are that all constituent authorities (including the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council) need to agree in principle to submit a summary of the responses to the Secretary of State for Communities in order to progress the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Devolution Deal.

                                                                        (Phil Witcherley – 01274 431241)

Note:

The Executive is meeting before Council on 8 September and will make a recommendation for Council to consider. That recommendation will be e-mailed to all Councillors in advance of the meeting of Council and will be published on the Council’s website.

Resolved –

That the resolution of the Executive on West Yorkshire Devolution and Next Steps as set out below be endorsed:

(1)       That the Summary of Consultation Responses attached as Appendix 1 to Document “BZ” and its conclusions be endorsed.

(2)       That the Summary of Consultation Responses and representations set out in Appendix 1 to Document “BZ” be agreed in principle to being submitted to the Secretary of State by 11 September 2020, and to jointly delegate authority to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive of each Constituent Council and the Chair of the Combined Authority, to finalise and submit these documents.

(3)       That the updated timetable set out in Appendix 2 to Document “BZ” and the next steps be noted which are subject to the consent being given by the Constituent Councils and Combined Authority, to the draft Order in November 2020 so that a mayoral combined authority model and associated changes may be adopted and implemented by May 2021, as set out in the Deal.

ACTION:        Chief Executive

The report of the Chief Executive (Executive Document “BZ”) explained that on the 11 March 2020, the Chancellor announced a “minded to” Mayoral Devolution Deal for the West Yorkshire area (covering the Local Authority areas of Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale). A report was considered by the Executive at its meeting on the 24 March which outlined the details of the devolution deal, its benefits for Bradford District, its people and its businesses and set out the required next steps.

The reports which went to Executive in March and May 2020:- endorsed the “minded to” deal on behalf of Bradford District,

- agreed for and approved a statutory review to be undertaken jointly with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, other West Yorkshire Councils and the Combined Authority,
- provided a draft Governance scheme to be produced for consideration, and
- agreed a consultation to take place in June and July 2020 on the devolution proposals and its governance.

The consultation had been completed and a summary attached to the report in appendices 1 and 2. The next steps were that all constituent authorities (including the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council) needed to agree in principle to submit a summary of the responses to the Secretary of State for Communities in order to progress the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Devolution Deal.

An amendment to the resolution of the Executive moved by Councillor Hawkesworth and seconded by Councillor Naylor was defeated. It was reported that amendment submitted by Councillor Pennington had been withdrawn.

The resolution of the Executive moved by Councillor Hinchcliffe and seconded by Councillor Imran Khan was carried as follows,

Resolved –

That the resolution of the Executive on West Yorkshire Devolution and Next Steps as set out below be endorsed:

(1)       That the Summary of Consultation Responses attached as Appendix 1 to Document “BZ” and its conclusions be endorsed.

(2)       That the Summary of Consultation Responses and representations set out in Appendix 1 to Document “BZ” be agreed in principle to being submitted to the Secretary of State by 11 September 2020, and to jointly delegate authority to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive of each Constituent Council and the Chair of the Combined Authority, to finalise and submit these documents.

(3)       That the updated timetable set out in Appendix 2 to Document “BZ” and the next steps be noted which are subject to the consent being given by the Constituent Councils and Combined Authority, to the draft Order in November 2020 so that a mayoral combined authority model and associated changes may be adopted and implemented by May 2021, as set out in the Deal.

ACTION:        Chief Executive