Agenda item

To outline the findings of the Governance Review undertaken for Lancashire and set out the next steps and recommendations.

The Council received a report on the governance review that had been undertaken to explore ways to develop collaborative working across Lancashire Councils on economic related matters. 

It was noted that the review contained a number of ambitions for Lancashire relating to investment in the area and co-ordinated infrastructure planning and housing provision.  Members also noted that a number of governance options had been considered and that the Lancashire Leaders, at their meeting on 1 September 2015, had considered the principle of a Combined Authority as the preferred vehicle for collaborative working. 

Members were aware that a Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill was currently going through the parliamentary process which aimed to broaden the scope of functions and powers that it was possible to confer on a Combined Authority.

Members noted that a six week consultation period with key stakeholders was proposed to take place in January / February 2016 and that a further meeting of the Lancashire Leaders would also take place, following which those authorities that wished to form part of the Combined Authority would submit a proposal to the Secretary of State for consideration.  The Leader of the Council commented that the same report and recommendations were being considered by the other local authorities in Lancashire during November/December.

Motion:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Cain seconded):

‘1.      To note the contents of this report.

2.       To note the contents of the Lancashire Governance Review and recommendation therein.

3.       To note the contents of the draft Scheme for a Combined Authority.

4.       To agree to take part in the public consultation in January/ February 2016, which will seek views on the formation of a Combined Authority for Lancashire.

5.       To agree to consider the feedback from the public consultation and note that following this, those authorities who wish to form a Lancashire Combined Authority will submit a proposal to the Secretary of State for consideration.

6.       To agree that delegated authority be given to the Executive to give due consideration to the public consultation and the authority to agree in principle should it wish to, that Blackpool Council becomes a constituent member of a Lancashire Combined Authority (subject to ratification by the Council).

7.       That at the Council’s meeting on 9 March 2016 final consideration to be given to becoming a constituent member of a Lancashire Combined Authority.’

Amendment:  Councillor Mrs Callow then proposed (and Councillor Williams seconded) the following amendment:

‘That the matter be deferred to allow for debate to take place at a members’ briefing’.

Following debate on the amendment and prior to voting, five members of the Council requested that the vote on the amendment be recorded.  The voting was as follows:

Recorded vote on the amendment

For the amendment:  Councillors Brown, Mrs Callow, Clapham, Cox, Galley, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Stansfield, T Williams - total 11.

Against the amendment:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn,  Cain, Campbell, D Coleman, G Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Cross, Humphreys, Hunter, Hutton, Jackson, Jones,  Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Ryan, Singleton, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, L Williams, Wright - total 26.

Abstentions:  Councillor Callow - total 1.

Amendment lost:  The amendment was therefore lost.

Debate then took place on the original motion and prior to voting, five members of the Council requested that the vote on the original motion be recorded.  The voting was as follows:

Recorded vote on the original motion

For the original motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn,  Cain, Campbell, D Coleman, G Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Cross, Humphreys, Hunter, Hutton, Jackson, Jones,  Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Ryan, Singleton, Smith, I Taylor, L Taylor, L Williams, Wright - total 26.

Against the original motion:  Councillors Brown, Mrs Callow, Clapham, Cox, Galley, Maycock, Roberts, Robertson, Scott, Stansfield, T Williams - total 11.

Abstentions:  Councillor Callow - total 1.

 Motion carried:  The original motion was therefore carried.