Members of the Council are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

The Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any matters to be determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

No such declarations were made.

To receive the Civic Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

The Civic Mayor noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Phil Brightmore and Louise Reece Jones.

The Civic Mayor informed that his annual festive event, the Mayor’s Tea Dance will be taking place at Wallasey Town Hall on Wednesday 7th December (1.30-4.00pm). He expressed his thanks to all those Councilors, members of staff and residents who had sponsored tickets for an elderly person to attend.

Further to minute 71 (Council - 14 November, 2016), the Council is requested to consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the draft Orders.

The amendment from the Liberal Democrat Group from the November meeting will form part of the supplementary agenda.

Further to minute 71 (Council - 14 November, 2016), the Council was requested to consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the draft Orders.

The Mayor invited Councillor Phil Davies to address the Council.

The Leader informed that the report outlined the most recent legal and governance requirements to establish the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Mayoral Model with the devolved powers and functions agreed as part of the Devolution Deal in November 2015. He further informed that a revised version of the draft Order had only been received that day, copies of which had been placed on Members’ benches.

The Leader further informed that a revised amendment (Liberal Democrat Group) and a second amendment (Conservative Group) in relation to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the draft Orders had also been placed on Members’ benches.

The Assistant Director: Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) highlighted the variations between the circulated document and that contained in the Council Summons. 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Councillor Phil Davies, duly seconded, it was

Resolved – That the Council adjourn for 10 minutes (until 5:50pm) in order to consider the above mentioned variations to the Order and tabled amendments.

RECONVENED COUNCIL MEETING

It was moved by Councillor Phil Davies and seconded by Councillor George Davies that the Liverpool City Region Devolution – Order Terms as revised, be RECOMMENDED TO CABINET for approval.

The two amendments were then tabled in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

First Amendment

Proposed by Councillor Jeff Green

Seconded by Councillor Leslie Rennie

“Insert new paragraph (a)

(a) Council welcomes the trust the government is demonstrating in local government with its commitment to devolution deals up and down the country. Council further welcomes the significant devolution of resources from central government to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) - £900 million over thirty years, and the areas given competence to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA):

·  Economic Development

·  Transport

·  Skills and Employment

·  Housing and Spatial Planning

Re-name remaining paragraphs (b) – (f)

Delete paragraph (f) and insert new paragraph (f): Council believes that the LCRCA must be an organisation that works on behalf of all citizens of Merseyside and that any devolution of power and budget to the City Region must be balanced by providing a direct opportunity to hold those with authority accountable and open to effective scrutiny. 

Council does not believe the current arrangements as set out in Appendix 2 are sufficiently inclusive and will not hold the Mayor to account. Council therefore calls on the Leader of the Council to refer the scrutiny principles back to the LCRCA for review so that the new scrutiny principles will take account of the views of all elected representatives from all the constituent authorities.”

and;

Second Amendment

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

“(a) Notes the next steps required for the implementation of the LCR Devolution Agreement;

(b) Considers the draft  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.