Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Resources

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive, which sought consent for the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2016 to be laid in Parliament.  The order detailed the further functions required by the Combined Authority in order to deliver the Devolution Deal.

The Cabinet noted that a Combined Authority was a statutory body that facilities the collaboration and joint working between local authorities to drive economic prosperity for the area.  On 17^th June 2016, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was established, with Coventry one of the seven constituent members.

Negotiations with Government had continued to ensure that the WMCA would create the right economic development incentives for the people of Coventry.  The original ‘Devolution Deal’ was the basis of this agreement and underpinned the first stage of devolution.

The original Devolution Deal stipulated that the Chair of the WMCA would be a newly, directly elected Mayor.  A subsequent Mayoral Electoral Order was made in September 2016 providing for the Election of a Mayor for the WMCA on 4^th May 2017.

In conjunction with the Mayoral Election Order, a draft scheme was prepared which was subject to public consultation.  The scheme dealt with the proposed functions and powers of the WMCA and the Mayor in line with the Devolution Deal.  Following consultation, the scheme was submitted from the WMCA to the Secretary of State to form the basis of a third order, the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendments) Order 2016.  The draft Order was now submitted for consent prior to it being approved by the WMCA Board and subsequently laid before Parliament.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet recommend that Council:-

1.  Note the outcome of the consultation undertaken by the West Midlands Combined Authority in respect of the Mayoral WMCA ‘functions’ scheme.

2.  Delegate authority to the Leader to consent to the draft Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendments) Order 2016 to be laid in Parliament subject to having seen the draft finance order and having consulted with the City Council’s S151 Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer.

3.  Delegate approval of any minor drafting amendments to the Order (“Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendments) Order 2016”) to the Deputy Monitoring Officer following consultation with the Leader.