Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the City Solicitor seeking approval for the dissolution of the Leeds City Region (LCR) Leaders’ Board on 31^st March 2015. The report also requests that authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and to the City Solicitor in relation to associated matters.

The City Solicitor submitted a report which sought approval for the dissolution of the Leeds City Region (LCR) Leaders’ Board on 31st March 2015. In addition, the report also requested that authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and to the City Solicitor in relation to associated matters.

Members noted that Government announcements may potentially impact upon the LCR and, in this event, a review of LCR related governance arrangements would be needed at the earliest opportunity.  

RESOLVED –

(a)  That it be noted that the LCR Leaders’ Board endorsed the proposal to dissolve the LCR Leaders’ Board on 31 March 2015. It also be noted that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has resolved to appoint an LCR Partnership Committee, to be established on 1 April 2015;

(b)  That approval be given to dissolve the LCR Leaders’ Board on 31 March 2015;   

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to:-

(i)  the Deputy Chief Executive in his capacity as S151 Chief

Finance Officer, in order to determine which contracts and other assets should transfer to the WYCA, and which should remain with Leeds City Council; and

(ii)  the City Solicitor in order to take all necessary steps to dissolve the LCR Leaders’ Board, including such steps as may be required to implement the decision of the Deputy Chief Executive in relation to any such transfer, novation or assignment.

(d)  That in the event that any Government announcement has a significant impact upon the Leeds City Region, then a review of LCR related governance arrangements should take place at the earliest opportunity, with such a review including consultation with Group Leaders.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the matters referred to within this minute)

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from Call In if it is considered that any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests. As such it was determined that the resolutions relating to this report were exempt from the Call In process given that the Leaders’ Board is to be dissolved on 31 March 2015, so that the new arrangements are in place for the new financial year)