Agenda item

Proposed by Councillor Steve Jordan

Seconded by Councillor Bernie Fisher :

This Council:-

·         believes that decisions taken locally are likely to be better informed than those taken centrally and so welcomes discussion with government about further devolved powers.

·         believes that funding must follow any devolved powers giving the opportunity to redesign services locally to make them more efficient and effective for local people.

·         any process of devolution must also involve discussion on how decisions already taken within Gloucestershire can be made more effective (eg road schemes in Cheltenham).

·         endorses the letter to be sent to the Secretary of State of behalf of Leadership Gloucestershire.     

The Leader proposed the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Fisher.

This Council:-

• believes that decisions taken locally are likely to be better informed than those taken centrally and so welcomes discussion with government about further  devolved powers
• believes that funding must follow any devolved powers giving the opportunity to redesign services locally to make them more efficient and effective for local people
• any process of devolution must also involve discussion on how decisions already taken within Gloucestershire can be made more effective (e.g. road schemes in Cheltenham)
• recognises the important role of District and Parish Councils in democratic government and the immediate recourse that Parish and District Councils give to citizens
• comments on the draft document to be sent to the Secretary of State on behalf of Leadership Gloucestershire.

In proposing the motion, the Leader said this was an opportunity for the council to debate devolution and on balance he believed that decisions taken locally would achieve better results for local people.

Councillor Harman, as leader of the Conservative group, indicated their support for the expression of interest although he personally favoured a unitary approach. He welcomed the reference to Parish Councils and the potential opportunity to review responsibilities for issues such as road schemes and car parking.

A member referred to the recent members’ seminar where a target date of the end of July had been given for submission of an expression of interest and asked whether this bid was too late.

Other members felt it was important that once the letter of interest had been sent, all members participated fully in the debates that would need to follow in what would be a major political reform.  This would include discussions on governance issues and appropriate arrangements for scrutiny of any joint boards and committees.  This would ensure the right structure for Cheltenham as well as the county council. Another member thought that Gloucestershire should be putting forward a comprehensive proposal for the offer that they wanted rather than wait for central government to advise what they would be prepared to give. The local authorities in Gloucestershire needed to work together to make it happen.  It would be essential that any devolved powers from government were supported by the appropriate level of funding.

A member expressed concern that there were previous examples of signing up to county council initiatives with words that promised joint delivery but in reality retained funding at county level with decisions being made by the county council Cabinet. They questioned how this council could sign up to this document without firm agreements with the county council regarding governance and funding.

A member asked how the proposals for devolution fitted in with the 2020 vision programme.

The Chief Executive advised that the fundamental principle of 2020 Vision was that the council would should remain autonomous and retain decision-making on what services should be provided in Cheltenham. How those services are delivered is then an issue which would be resolved in partnership.  It is vital therefore that we have the capacity within the Council to negotiate strategies and contracts to meet Cheltenham's needs.

As the seconder of the motion, Councillor Fisher stressed the need for decisions affecting Cheltenham to be taken within Cheltenham and cited Boots Corner as an example where clearly this was not happening. Local decision-making must be supported by appropriate funding and would allow Cheltenham to preserve its uniqueness.

The Leader emphasised that this was not a bid for a unitary approach as this would have to be agreed unanimously across the county council and the district councils in Gloucestershire. With regard to devolution it was important to agree what outcomes were important for Gloucestershire. He confirmed that there was no set timetable for submission of bids however if there were a number of proposals nationally, it may be preferable for Gloucestershire to get in early.  He acknowledged that the October date indicated in the brochure for submitting a proposal to government would be challenging and there would need to be much debate with members before then culminating in a report to Council in October. He acknowledged the point that funding must follow devolved powers at all levels. In conclusion he invited members to contact him with any further comments on the document which he would then feed back to Leadership Gloucestershire.

Upon a vote the motion was agreed unanimously.