Agenda and minutes

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Members were asked to disclose any pecuniary or other interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Nothing was declared.

A report of progress on the Council’s LGR submission has been prepared for consideration by OSC.

Noting this is an evolving process, a presentation will also be provided at the meeting.

Overview and Scrutiny Commission is invited to:

·       note progress made on the council’s final LGR proposed submission.

·       make comments to be considered in finalising the submission.

·       Note that a report will be considered, including the final submission, at Full Council on Wednesday 20^th November.

A report was submitted on the progress of the Council’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) submission, for consideration of the OSC Commission. Noting this was an evolving process, a presentation was given by the City Mayor, as attached.

Feedback from the meeting would be considered when shaping the final proposed submission, due to be reported to Full Council for a decision on Wednesday 20th November. The final submission being required to be made to Government by 28th November 2025.

Key points raised in addition to the presentation were as follows:

·       Questions regarding the £46m annual savings figure for the council’s preferred proposal and how this is derived from efficiencies. The removal of a layer of government was noted alongside efficiencies achieved through organisational and service redesign.

·       Concerns were expressed over the level of public opposition to city expansion and the challenge of bringing people on board with the new proposed councils. It was noted this was a common issue with reorganisation which will need to be addressed through the transition process.

·       Questions were asked regarding the base proposal and how the districts were chosen. The Government’s required legal process was explained. The base proposal was described as the best fit to build the preferred proposal on but had significant drawbacks.

·       It was noted that a significant proportion of land suitable for housing delivery was currently beyond the city boundaries.

·       Travel patterns were discussed, noting that whilst people move in and out of the city the dominant movement was to city facilities. It was noted that people recognised the different issues facing urban and rural areas and travel patterns within them.

·       Clarity was requested on the City Mayor role under the proposals. It was noted that Government rules require a return to a cabinet and leader model as part of local government reorganisation.

·       It was noted that the delineation of the current city boundaries was irregular and that the preferred option would provide a more coherent arrangement.

·       Questions were raised about the role and establishment of a strategic authority. It was noted that LGR and devolution are separate processes and that the council will have the opportunity to influence devolution when proposals are sought by Government at a future stage. There has been general agreement across all councils that a Mayoral Strategic Authority is the preferred devolution model on the LLR footprint.

·       Commission members noted that central government had established the pathway for LGR.

·       It was noted that extending the boundary would create a new authority.

·       The timetable for LGR was noted and that the final submission will be circulated for consideration at Full Council on 20th November.

AGREED:

• That progress on the council’s proposal be noted.
• That member comments be noted.
• For the Commission to note that a report with the draft proposals would be circulated for consideration at Full Council on 20^th November.
• For the Commission to note that the final proposal would be submitted to Government by the deadline of 28th November.

Cllr Dave arrived during the consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.