Agenda

A report by the Chief Executive is attached, the purpose of which is:

1.            To provide Cabinet with the detail of responses made during the consultation conducted in relation to the Strategic Governance Review and the draft Scheme, and proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority (as described in the Review, and draft Scheme) and invites Cabinet to decide whether the establishment of a combined authority would be likely to improve the exercise of statutory functions in relation to the area of the combined authority.

2.            Subject to that decision, Cabinet is invited to publish the Scheme and to submit it to the Secretary of State (together with the Review, and consultation response report (which incorporates the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership consultation of businesses, and letters). The Scheme incorporates proposals from amongst those described in the Review and the draft Scheme, amended in response to feedback provided during the Consultation and represents the consolidated proposal for a Solent Combined Authority, covering the local authority areas of Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and the Isle of Wight Council (the Solent Unitary Authorities), as constituent members. Similar reports and recommendations are being considered by the Cabinets of Southampton City Council (19th October) and Isle of Wight Council (24th October).

3.            It is for the Secretary of State, before he makes any order establishing a combined authority, to satisfy himself that to do so is likely to improve the exercise of statutory functions in the areas to which the order relates (and the other considerations described in the legal comments within the report).  The Secretary of State will carry out a public consultation unless he is satisfied that no further consultation is necessary in the light of the consultation already carried out in connection with the proposals contained in the Scheme.

4.            Any order establishing the combined authority will also require the consent of the constituent authorities. It is anticipated that the submission of the Scheme to the Secretary of State will lead to a period of discussion about the detail of what is proposed. Following that discussion, if the Secretary of State is minded to make an order, Cabinet will be invited to give consent on behalf of the Council.

5.                  Where a submission to the Secretary of State is approved, the report seeks a delegation to the Leader and Chief Executive to take all actions necessary to make the submission and any further actions that arise.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Cabinet is recommended to:

2.1.1   Note that a thorough 8 week consultation exercise was undertaken across the Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth council areas on the draft Governance Review and the Draft Scheme.

2.1.2   Note that the consultation results (see appendix 3) confirmed support for the three authorities working together to achieve devolution from central government through a mayoral combined authority.

2.1.3   Publish the Scheme and Review, and submit a request to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to establish a Solent Combined Authority (such a submission will be dependent on the other two Councils also resolving to publish the final Scheme and review).

2.1.4   Agree that if a decision is made to make a submission to the Secretary of State, that Cabinet approve the Governance Review (appendix 1), revised scheme (appendix 2), and the consultation responses (appendix 3), and include these as part of the submission to the Secretary of State alongside the letters that have been received on this issue (appendix 4). Note that the onward procedure of the Secretary of State is described in the Legal Implications/City Solicitor Comments.

2.1.5   Agree that if a submission to the Secretary of State is made, that the Leader and Chief Executive be given delegated authority to negotiate the final terms of an Order to establish a Solent Mayoral Combined Authority alongside colleagues from the Isle of Wight Council and Southampton City Council.