Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Metro Mayor to welcome everybody to the meeting and introduce the new Committee members for 2023/24.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris welcomed everybody to the Annual General Meeting of the West of England Combined Authority and those present introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Kevin Guy (Cllr Sarah Warren attended as substitute) and Mayor Rees (Cllr Kye Dudd attended as substitute).

Members who consider that they have an interest to declare are asked to state:

a) The item number in which they have an interest;

b) The nature of the interest, and;

c) Whether the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, non-disclosable pecuniary interest or non-pecuniary interest.

Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself.

There were no declarations of interest declared under the Localism Act 2011.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the West of England Combined Authority Committee.

There were no Chair’s announcements.

To receive any comments from the Chair (or the Chair’s representative) of the West of England Local Enterprise Board on the annual report.

The Chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership Board, Richard Bonner was invited to address the meeting. He took the opportunity to welcome the new Unitary Authority Leaders and emphasised the LEP business members commitment and readiness to work with them and build a strong partnership for the region.   

The Authority’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee met informally on 12 June 2023 to consider the items being brought to this Committee.  They chose one member to represent their views at this meeting.  That Member will pass on any comments from that meeting on the annual report.

The West of England Combined Authority’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee had met informally on 12 June 2023 to discuss the items on the agenda.  There were no specific comments on the annual report.

To consider the annual business report.

1.  That the Committee’s membership, as shown on the agenda sheet, be noted;

2.  That the names of the two deputies/substitute members, as shown on the agenda sheet, be noted;

3.  That the committee’s terms of reference as set out in the constitution ConstitutionAmendedApr2023.pdf (moderngov.co.uk) be noted;

4.  That the arrangements be agreed as per paragraph 4 for

a. the West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee;

b. the Authority’s Audit Committee

c. Employment & Appointments Committee to be established with a membership the same as the West of England Combined Authority Committee

d. The establishment of four advisory boards, who meet in two groups, Business and Skills Board and Planning & Housing and Transport Board.   The membership for each of the Boards being the relevant Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Planning & Housing and Transport from each of the Unitary Authorities and North Somerset Council (as required).

5.    That a second independent member be appointed to the Authority’s Audit Committee;

6.    That the Chairs of the Local Enterprise Partnership Board, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee will be afforded the opportunity to address each meeting of the Committee;

7.    That the schedule of meetings at Appendix 1 be agreed;

8.    That the Pay Policy Statement as set out in Appendix 2 be approved;

Metro Mayor Dan Norris introduced the Authority’s Annual Business Report.  The report set out some procedural issues that needed to be completed such as setting up the Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee. The Unitary Authorities had appointed their prospective members to these Committees in anticipation of the decision to be taken.  These nominations had been circulated. The Annual Business Report also contained the annual Pay Policy Statement, which set out the pay arrangements for the West of England Combined Authority.

Cllr Claire Young asked that for reassurance that the Employment and Appointments Committee be involved in the recruitment of senior officers from an early stage.

[Voting arrangements: Decision required majority agreement of Committee Members in attendance, or their substitutes (one vote representing each Authority) and including the West of England Combined Authority Metro Mayor].

The recommendations were moved by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, seconded by Cllr Kye Dudd and unanimously

Resolved:

1.  That the Committee’s membership, as shown on the agenda sheet, be noted;

2.  That the names of the two deputies/substitute members, as shown on the agenda sheet, be noted;

3.  That the committee’s terms of reference as set out in the constitution ConstitutionAmendedApr2023.pdf (moderngov.co.uk) be noted;

4.  That the arrangements be agreed as per paragraph 4 for

a. the West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee;

b. the Authority’s Audit Committee

c. Employment & Appointments Committee to be established with a membership the same as the West of England Combined Authority Committee

d. The establishment of four advisory boards, who meet in two groups, Business and Skills Board and Planning & Housing and Transport Board.   The membership for each of the Boards being the relevant Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Planning & Housing and Transport from each of the Unitary Authorities and North Somerset Council (as required).

5.    That a second independent member be appointed to the Authority’s Audit Committee;

6.    That the Chairs of the Local Enterprise Partnership Board, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Audit Committee will be afforded the opportunity to address each meeting of the Committee;

7.    That the schedule of meetings at Appendix 1 be agreed;

8.    That the Pay Policy Statement as set out in Appendix 2 be approved;