Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

The Chairman referred members to the nominations set out in the report.  He advised that the nominations from the Labour Group had subsequently been withdrawn, however more nominations had been received than there were seats available on the Planning Committee and Transport Committee.  The Chairman advised that a vote would be taken on the nominations individually.

Councillor R Blunt presented the report to members.  He provided an update on the progress of the Combined Authority and sought Council’s approval of the Constitution and operating agreement. 

Councillor S McKendrick stated that she remained concerned about the lack of scrutiny in the structure of the Combined Authority.  She felt that this was not robust and she could not support the proposals.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was aware other authorities were not taking a decision on this matter until the content of the order had been made available.  He added that he was sceptical about the lack of scrutiny.  He doubted that many members had read the Constitution and operating agreement, and felt establishing a third organisation would add further duplication in North West Leicestershire.  He commented that the proposal was a sham.

Councillor J Bridges sought clarity on the proposed composition of the scrutiny function, bearing in mind the comments made.

Councillor R Blunt referred members to paragraph 4.2 of the report and advised that the Constitution required the scrutiny function to be politically balanced across all authorities, and therefore this authority was required to appoint a Conservative member.

A vote was then taken on the appointments to committees.

It was then moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)   The draft Constitution of the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority be endorsed;

b)   The draft operating agreement of the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority be endorsed;

c)   The Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Leader, to make any final minor amendments to the Constitution and operating agreement prior to their approval and adoption by the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority;

d)   The Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Leader, to agree any minor changes to the operating agreement in future following adoption of the document by the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority; and

e)   The following members be appointed to serve on the Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority and its committees:

      Leicester and Leicestershire Combined Authority

      Councillor R Blunt (as Leader of the Council)

Substitute: Councillor A V Smith

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor M Specht

Substitute: Councillor N Smith

Planning Committee

Councillor T J Pendleton

Substitute: Councillor J Clarke

Transport Committee

Councillor T J Pendleton

Substitute: Councillor J Clarke