Issue - meetings

A report to Council concerning devolution and local government reform in Warwickshire.

Resolved;

1. That, having considered the Strategic Case for Change for Local Government Reform in Warwickshire, the Council supports its submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in order to seek from Government an invitation to enter into conversation and consideration of the future local government structure for Warwickshire. 
2. That the Council considers that in the next phase of work to shape a future model for local government in Warwickshire, conversations should take place at all levels, including with residents, based on the following principles 
   1. double devolution - moving influence and power closer to communities, levelling up health and wellbeing and tackling inequalities; 
   2. ensuring that Climate Change and adaptation are built into a new model of local government; 
   3. achieving better value for our taxpayers; 
   4. simplified governance with clear, accountable leadership; 
   5. co-design of the model is undertaken; and 
   6. a balance of local focus with a strategic approach when needed. 
3. That the Council considers that a Residents Panel should be established and that an invitation should be extended to the District and Borough Councils to do so jointly with the County Council,  to seek the views of Warwickshire residents.
4. That the Council requests that the Leader , following this meeting, considers inviting the Warwickshire District and Borough Councils to make their submission to MHCLG along with and at the same time as any submission made by the County Council

Councillor Isobel Seccombe moved the following motion:

1.        That, having considered the Strategic Case for Change for Local Government Reform in Warwickshire, the Council supports its submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in order to elicit from Government an invitation to enter into conversation and consideration of the future local government structure for Warwickshire.

2.        That the Council considers that in the next phase of work to shape a future model for local government in Warwickshire, conversations should take place at all levels, including with residents, based on the following principles

i.         double devolution - moving influence and power closer to communities, levelling up health and wellbeing and tackling inequalities;

ii.        ensuring that Climate Change and adaptation are built into a new model of local government;

iii.       achieving better value for our taxpayers;

iv.       simplified governance with clear, accountable leadership;

v.        co-design of the model is undertaken; and

vi.       a balance of local focus with a strategic approach when needed.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Peter Butlin.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse proposed an amendment which replaced the word “elicit” in point 1 with the word “seek” and added a point to say, “That a Citizens Panel be established, with an invitation extended to the District and Borough Councils to undertake/ establish this jointly with the county council, to seek the views of Warwickshire residents about proposals for future local government reform in/for Warwickshire”.

Councillor Sarah Boad (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) seconded the amendment.

Acceptance of Amendment

Councillor Butlin proposed a further amendment to the substantive motion by adding a paragraph at point 3: “That immediately following this meeting, the Leader invites the Warwickshire District and Borough Councils to make their submission to MHCLG jointly with the County Council”.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe seconded the amendment and both Councillor Seccombe and Butlin accepted the amendment proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group as a friendly amendment.

Councillor Helen Adkins proposed an amendment to the substantive motion which replaced the word “supports” in the first point with the word “delays” and removed the words “elicit from Government an invitation to enter into conversation and consideration of the future local government structure for Warwickshire” replacing them with the words “consult its partners and residents on the future of local government in Warwickshire”.  Additional paragraphs at points 2 and 3 were proposed as follows:

“2. This Council notes that as we move towards the publication of the government white paper this Council intends to undertake thorough and transparent conversations with its borough and district partners as well as consultation with the public, in a bid to move forward in transparency and open co-operation.

3. This Council also requests that a further report be brought back to Cabinet on the optins for consultation with partners and residents”. 

Councillor Dave Parsons seconded the amendment.

During the course of the debate, which suggested that support for this amendment was limited as it was considered that the outcome would result in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2