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 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) since the 22 January meeting of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation

i.       Noted the update provided on issues considered at the meetings of the Combined Authority held on 31 January, 14 February and 28 February 2018.

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 a report from the Chief Executive.

The Committee asked the Executive Councillor to provide his comments and thoughts on:

     i.        The portfolio holders at the Combined Authority and in particular the housing portfolio holder. 

    ii.        The Transport Assessment Cambridge project.

   iii.        Why the Mayor took the Cambridge Metro project away from the Greater Cambridge Partnership and asked how much the Mayor would consult with Cambridge residents.

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

     i.        The Mayor appointed the portfolio holders for the Combined Authority and had particular interest in community land trusts. The Mayor was currently the Housing Portfolio Holder for the Combined Authority but he thought that he may appoint someone else to this role in the future.

    ii.        The devolution deal had transferred transport strategy to the Combined Authority Mayor and this meant that he had a say in strategic transport decisions. The Mayor recognised that the Great Cambridge Partnership, the City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council should have a say in transport decisions involving Cambridge. The Cambridge Metro project didn’t have a clear enough brief when it was reported to the Combined Authority but there was a stronger brief for the next stage. He would continue to seek partnership working in the delivery of this project.

   iii.        The Greater Cambridge Partnership would continue its work and continue looking at routes to the west and south east of Cambridge. The Mayor was looking to secure private investment for the Cambridge Metro project.

The Committee noted the update.

The Executive Councillor noted the update.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.