Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to an additional meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services).

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notifications of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Bentley, J L Carter, R Grahame and A Lowe.

Notification had been received for Councillor M Harland to substitute for Councillor R Grahame.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive for information the minutes of the Executive Board held on 24^th April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Executive Board held on 24^th April 2013 be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the review of governance arrangements in West Yorkshire considered by Executive Board on 24^th April 2013.

The Chief Economic Development Officer presented to the Board a report setting out proposals towards establishing a West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The following officers were in attendance:

-  Tom Bridges – Chief Economic Development Officer, City Development

-  Caroline Allen – Head of Development & Regulatory, Legal Services.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

·  The role and responsibilities of a Combined Authority, particularly in relation to 'drawing down’ funds from central government.

·  The reasons why it was necessary to have a Combined Authority.

·  The methodology by which the establishment of the Combined Authority will be agreed.

·  The political membership of the Combined Authority, particularly the proportionality of places (and votes) between the constituent authorities.

·  The determination of opposition positions on the Combined Authority.

·  How the Combined Authority will be held to account through the Overview and Scrutiny process and the need for that function to be adequately resourced and supported.

·  The manner in which infrastructure support funding was calculated.

·  The need to keep the associated officer support infrastructure as efficient and as small as possible, using, where possible, existing resources across the participating authorities.

·  The recognition that Leeds should play the major role in driving the Combined Authority’s agenda.

·  The inherent risks present in a joint venture of this nature.

RESOLVED – 

(i)  To thank officers for their clear presentation

(ii)  To note the progress towards establishing a West Yorkshire Combined Authority

(iii)  To write to the Leader of Council outlining the Board’s views on this and the draft scheme.

To receive and consider a joint report from the Chief Officer (Statutory Housing) and Chief Officer (Revenues and Benefits) outlining Environment and Neighbourhoods and Revenues and Benefits responses to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board Inquiry on Welfare Reform Benefit Changes.

The Chief Officer Statutory Housing and Chief Officer Revenues and Benefits submitted a joint report setting out their responses to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board Inquiry on Welfare Reform Benefit Changes.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and progress made to date.

This is the last meeting of the 2012/13 municipal year.

RESOLVED – To note that this was the last meeting of the 2012/13 municipal year.

(The meeting concluded at 11.00am)