Issue - meetings

The Chairman, in his capacity as Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, presented the report to Members.  The report sought approval for the Council to establish a District Joint Committee for the purposes of devolution and participation at the forthcoming Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

Members were advised that whilst the legalisation which would formally allow the Combined Authority to progress was still awaited, it was considered prudent that the Council ensured its own governance process was in place to enable West Lindsey to be in the best position it could be to represent the interest of the District in the newly formed Combined Authority once established.

In order to prevent unnecessary delays, the Chairman, in moving the recommendations, also moved an amendment to recommendation four, namely, to add the words “with any minor amendments required delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader” so as fourth recommendation would read: -

“Council delegates any further review or amendment of the Terms of Reference to the Governance and Audit Committee, with any minor amendments required delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader.”

It was further suggested that the amendment should be extended further to include the words “and Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee”

The mover or the original amendment indicated his agreement, and having been seconded, on being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.

With the recommendations, as amended moved and seconded it was: -

RESOLVED thatthe recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee be accepted and in doing so:-

(a)      the establishment of a District Joint Committee of the Lincolnshire Districts for the purposes of devolution and participation at the Mayoral Combined County Authority be approved;

(b)      that the Leader of West Lindsey District Council be the Authority’s representative at the District Joint Committee;

(c)      the proposed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for the District Joint Committee be approved; and

(d)      authority be delegated to the Governance Audit Committee to undertake any further review or amendment of the Terms of Reference, with any minor amendments required, delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader and Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee.

Members were requested to consider the governance arrangements for the establishment of the Joint Committee for Devolution and consider the recommendations to go to Council on 24 June 2024. The Monitoring Officer explained that Members were aware of the devolution in Greater Lincolnshire and the combining of the three authorities North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire County Councils to create the Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA). As part of this, the seven District Councils would be able to participate via the Joint Committee forum and 4 Members would be elected on the Committee, as well as on the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit Committees. The Joint Committee for Devolution would have overall oversight of the ongoing transition work and governance arrangements. The Monitoring Officer highlighted Section 2.3 which contained the Scope of the Joint Committee as well as the proposed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders. The Chief Executives and Leaders of the respective authorities had been briefed and provided input into the development of the documents. Since the publication of the report there had been an addition made to the Terms of Reference to allow the Joint Committee to consider any other matters that were of interest to the committee. The Monitoring Officer concluded the report and highlighted the recommendations and shared that any changes would be brought back to the Governance and Audit Committee for consideration.

Members discussed the report and asked for clarification on the definition of non-constituent and constituent members. The Monitoring Officer explained constituent members referred to members of the three authorities and non-constituent referred to District Council Members.

Members asked what scrutiny of the Joint Committee would look like and how Members would be able to provide scrutiny input. The Monitoring Officer responded that approval would be sought from Full Council to participate in the Joint Committee and any amendments to documents would be brought back to the Committee for Oversight. There would also be an Overview and Scrutiny Committee created for oversight of the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee would be a public meeting and Members would be able to view the reports, attend and observe meetings.

The Chairman suggested that reports on the Joint Committee come to the Committee for further discussion. The Monitoring Officer proposed that regular reports on the performance of the Joint Committee be brought back to the Governance and Audit Committee.

It was proposed and seconded that progress reports relating to the performance of the Joint Committee for Devolution be brought to the Governance and Audit Committee.

RESOLVED that

1)    The establishment of a District Joint Committee of the Lincolnshire Districts for the purposes of devolution and participation at the Mayoral Combined County Authority be RECOMMENDED to Council for approval; 

2)    It be RECOMMENDED to Council that the Leader of West Lindsey District Council be proposed to represent the authority at the District Joint Committee .

3)    The proposed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for the District Joint Committee be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72