Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Further to Minute No. 23 of the meeting held on 18 July 2013, the Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive which explained why the Liverpool City Region needed to review its strategic governance for economic development, regeneration and transport; and outlined the process which had been undertaken to conduct a governance review commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Cabinet.

The report identified how a potential Liverpool City Region Combined Authority would operate and the functions it would discharge; set out a draft scheme for its establishment; outlined the proposed approach to consultation and sought agreement to host specific Sefton events on the review of strategic governance and the operation of a potential Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The Chief Executive reported that the results of the proposed consultation exercise on the operation of a potential Liverpool City Region Combined Authority would be submitted for consideration to the Cabinet meeting on 12 September 2013 and to an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to be held on 27 September 2013.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)    the draft findings of the Liverpool City Region strategic governance review, as set out in Appendix A of the report be endorsed;

(2)    the draft outline of the potential role for a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, as set out in Appendix B of the report be endorsed;

(3)    the draft scheme for the establishment of a Combined Authority for the   Liverpool City Region, as set out in Appendix C of the report be endorsed;

(4)    the holding of Sefton events as part of the consultation on the proposals set out in Appendices A, B and C of the report, be agreed; and

(5)    the final versions of the documents set out in Appendices A, B and C of the report, together with the results of the consultation exercise, be submitted for consideration at future meetings of the Cabinet and Council.

Reasons for Decision:

The Review of Strategic Governance had concluded that the economic conditions of the Liverpool City Region would be best improved by establishing a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.The report summarised that review and a potential role for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which would be subject to consultation between 5 August 2013 and 6 September 2013.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Other options for strategic governance in the Liverpool City Region were considered as part of the review of strategic governance. and they were set out in the report.