Agenda item

To receive a report from the Chief Executive presenting an update on matters related to Devolution.

The report of the Chief Executive updated the Scrutiny Board on matters related to the progress of Devolution.  Appended to this report was an Executive Summary of the latest ‘One Yorkshire’ devolution submission to the Government.

The Chair welcomed Cllr. Judith Blake, the Leader of Council, and Ben Still, Managing Director of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who were in attendance for this item. The Chair reported that unfortunately the Chief Executive, Tom Riordan, was unable to attend.

Cllr. Blake introduced the report and in doing so, made reference to the Devolution updates that are regularly reported to full Council too.

It was particularly acknowledged that the ‘One Yorkshire’ proposal aims to secure an ambitious deal for the widest possible Yorkshire geography, including Leeds City Region, and continues to have strong local support from residents, businesses, 18 local authorities and the Sheffield City Region Mayor.

In response to the Government’s requirements, it was highlighted that proposals surrounding the One Yorkshire governance arrangements were also included in the 10^th October 2018 submission to the Secretary of State.  Such arrangements reflect Yorkshire’s scale and diversity and are based on a single One Yorkshire Combined Authority which would be overseen by a directly elected Mayor from May 2020.

Whilst acknowledging the Government’s previously stated position that the Sheffield City Region (SCR) deal must be fully implemented before progressing the One Yorkshire proposal, it was noted that Yorkshire Leaders have since proposed that the implementation of the SCR deal and a One Yorkshire deal could pragmatically be progressed in parallel instead of entirely sequentially.

However, the Board was informed that no response had yet been received from the Secretary of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) to the latest submission on 10^th October 2018.

The Chair therefore agreed to also write on behalf of the Scrutiny Board to the Secretary of State (the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP) reinforcing the need for Central Government to acknowledge the potential economic benefits of Devolution for Yorkshire communities and for Ministers to commit to a meeting with the One Yorkshire Leaders in order to progress this further as a matter of urgency.

Responding to further questions from Board Members, the following key points were also made:

·  It was noted that the independent economic study had been commissioned to set out the economic benefits to the region and had been and undertaken by a group called ‘Steer’;

·  It was noted that the Yorkshire brand was already well known and that people understood what it was and acknowledged that it had already proved a success in relation to tourism with Welcome to Yorkshire;

·  It was felt that the dynamics of the Northern Powerhouse would increase with the One Yorkshire proposal benefitting the area with transformational change which would increase confidence in the area and show how the north could contribute to the economy of the country.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That the Chair writes on behalf of the Scrutiny Board to the Secretary of State (the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP) reiterating the importance of Ministers urgently meeting with the One Yorkshire Leaders to progress proposals for a One Yorkshire devolution deal.