Issue - meetings

A report that sets out proposals to commence work on the development of a devolution deal for Warwickshire.

Portfolio Holder – Councillor Isobel Seccombe

Councillor Isobel Seccombe (Leader of the Council) presented this report which followed publication of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper on 2 February 2022.  The four core objectives of the White Paper were to boost productivity, spread opportunities, restore a sense of community and place, and empower local leaders and communities.  Councillor Seccombe noted that the report provided a summary analysis of the key elements of the White Paper, providing linkages to the new Council Plan and the supporting State of Warwickshire report.  Councillor Seccombe drew attention to the summary of the White Paper’s devolution framework set out in the report and the proposed direction of travel and next steps to ensure Warwickshire was best positioned to benefit from this change in policy. Councillor Seccombe highlighted the headline messages from the White Paper, comprehensively detailed at paragraph 2 of the report, and proposed that work should be undertaken to explore what a devolution deal might look like for the county.  She considered that the Council’s aims and objectives aligned with the core objectives of the White Paper and supported working with districts and borough colleagues to understand their ambitions, together with those of the Council’s wider partners.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse recognised that devolution was part of the national landscape and welcomed conversations with the district and borough leaders.  He raised linkages with the future structure of the Local Enterprise Partnership, emphasised the view that this issue had to be considered separately to unitary proposals and the need to focus on the outcome for residents.   He suggested that a working group made up of the group leaders could explore the issues involved further.  He welcomed further discussion with the district and borough councils and welcomed the opportunities that devolution presented to improve services for residents.

Councillor Barbara Brown emphasised the need to have clarity about what improvements to residents’ lives were being sought at the outset, stating that this was essential to understand what the aims and objectives of the proposals would be.

Councillor Seccombe considered that this was an important opportunity for Warwickshire communities.  She considered that the Council was aware of inequalities in parts of the county regarding education and health that needed to be addressed but which the Council could not address on its own and a more global view with partners could better address these issues. She considered that it would be appropriate to establish a cross-party member working group to support the development of a devolution deal. 

Resolved

That Cabinet

1.        Supports and commissions the development of a Devolution Deal for Warwickshire

2.        Authorises the Chief Executive to develop a Devolution Deal for consideration by Cabinet, engaging with key stakeholders and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and to take such other steps as she considers necessary in consultation with the Leader

3.        Requests that a Cross Party Member Working Group be established to support the development of the Devolution Deal.