Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors J Adams, M Brain and A Douglas.

Consideration has been given to an update on the public consultation which the seven councils across the North East (i.e. Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland) have undertaken in relation to proposals to establish a new mayoral combined authority which covers the area of the seven councils and replaces the two existing combined authorities in the region and to the proposal to submit the consultation report to the Secretary of State as the next step in the process of establishing the new mayoral combined authority for the region and accessing the benefits of devolution.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the content of the report and the consultation report as set out in appendix 2 be noted.

(ii)

That the consultation that has been undertaken be approved as sufficient for the purposes of the legislation and that the findings set out in the consultation report demonstrate that the statutory criteria (referred to in paragraph 8 of the Cabinet report) have been met.

(iii)

That the consultation report should be submitted to the Secretary of State so that the Secretary of State can:

a)

consider whether they are satisfied that the consultation has been sufficient and that the statutory criteria have been met; and

b)

(if so satisfied) request Parliament to make an order to abolish the existing combined authorities and establish the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA).

(iv)

That consent to the making of the necessary statutory order be agreed in principle.

(v)

That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of Council, be authorised to take all steps necessary to implement the above proposals, including (but not limited to) finalising the terms of the consultation report which is submitted to the Secretary of State.

The above decisions have been made for the following reason:

It is considered that the creation of a new mayoral combined authority for the North East would unlock the benefits of the ‘minded to’ devolution deal and improve the exercise of statutory functions across the region.