5 Devolution for Warwickshire & West Midlands Combined Authority PDF 161 KB
A report summarising the work completed to date, following the decision taken by Cabinet in July 2023.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
On 13 July 2023, Cabinet considered a report about the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and devolution for Warwickshire. At that meeting, Cabinet resolved to explore the opportunity for Warwickshire County Council, as a two-tier authority area, to become a full constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and other options that may be available and to report back to Cabinet.
This report outlined the progress and work to date following the previous decision in July 2023.
The Leader, Councillor Isobel Seccombe, outlined the report and reminded Members of the discussions and outcome following the Cabinet report considered in July. The timescales surrounding the decision had resulted in work having to be undertaken at pace and the Leader thanked those officers who had contributed extensively. It was felt that a consultation would have had to be initiated quickly and with no extension to the timeframe being given, officers and members were not comfortable at the speed of the decision and the complexity of the work required. Councillor Seccombe recognised the benefits that had been gained by going through this process with more insight being gained into the operational arrangements.
She assured that the Council would continue to have conversations with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUC), as well as Districts and Boroughs to seek out a devolution deal.
Following a question from Councillor Sinclair regarding a realistic timeframe for the work, he was advised that a specific time could not be confirmed at this stage, but discussions would continue throughout the next electoral cycle.
Having considered the report, and having heard from those present, it was
Resolved
That Cabinet
1) Formalises its decision not to progress the opportunity for Warwickshire County Council to become a constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) at this time; and
2) Reconfirms its commitment to the WMCA as an active non constituent member of the WMCA and agrees to pursue the opportunities for Warwickshire that the exploration work has highlighted, as set out in this report.