Decision details

To enable the Committee to scrutinise the Council's representative on the Combined Authority.

Matter for Decision

The report provided an update on the activities of the Combined

Authority since the last meeting of Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

An information report, no decision was required. The Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation

       i.          Reported the contents of this report to the scrutiny committee

     ii.          Provided a verbal update at the meeting on issues considered at the September meeting of the Combined Authority

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received an update from the Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation.

       i.          Highlighted the opportunities created by devolution, for example it could unlock sites such as Cambridge North Fringe East.

     ii.          He led on spatial planning. Confirmed that the Mayor supported land value capture.

   iii.          Reinforced the dialogue on Cambridge with the Department for Transport in relation to the Cambridge South proposals.

   iv.          Highlighted how much had been achieved during the last 5 months.

Opposition Councillors made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Welcomed comments on the LEP and whether a member should still be on the Combined Authority Board whilst Audit Office enquiries were ongoing with the LEP?

     ii.          Sought clarification regarding the Mayor’s approach to sharing papers amongst the committee. Reports had suggested it had been a problem.

   iii.          Referred to the £100million and asked what Cambridge had been allocated?

   iv.          As holder of the planning portfolio, would the Leader agree to submit a non-statutory Spatial Plan to Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee (DPSSC)?

The Strategy and Transformation said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          He believed that stopping funding was not the answer, the LEP needed to be the voice and support for businesses but also need to sort the issues with the Audit Office. A report on the LEP governance would be available between October and November.

     ii.          Governance for the Combined Authority had improved, he asserted the importance of working closely with the Chief Executives.

   iii.          Confirmed that Cambridge could not compete with the relative value of housing that other areas could achieve with the £100million funding. Assistance had been given to secure money for South Cambridgeshire (Southern Fringe) ensuring housing for commuters travelling into Cambridge to work.

   iv.          Highlighted the need for dialogue with other areas before advancing the new Local Plan. Confirmed that he would be happy to take a report to DPSSC, information would be ready by early 2018. Asserted the importance of community involvement in order to ensure inclusive growth.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.