Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Chief Executive.

Resolved:

Cabinet noted:

1.    The expression of interest submitted to government

2.    The intention to continue discussions with neighbouring councils as appropriate

Reason for Decision:

Devolution should provide greater freedoms and flexibilities allowing councils to work more effectively to improve services for local residents.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, presented a report providing an update on Wiltshire Council’s expression of interest in devolution submitted to government.

The Leader reported that the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to council leaders in July 2024, following the King’s Speech, inviting councils to “partner with Government to deliver the most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen”. The letter stated an intention to devolve new powers over transport, skills, housing, planning and employment support. He explained that since receipt of the letter Wiltshire had held a range of discussions with neighbouring areas to understand their preferences and where there are shared aspirations.

Cabinet noted that expressions of interest in devolution were requested for the end of September 2024. Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire Councils have now submitted expressions of interest in devolution for the ‘Heart of Wessex’, with the leaders of the three councils acknowledging the varying goals and priorities for their respective areas, but also noting that there were other important areas to explore for working together under one umbrella.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, recognised that the devolution process was being forced on Local Authorities by the Government and noted that the economic arguments were not clear. He stressed the importance of residents being involved in discussions about the future structure of any combined authority in the area. The Leader confirmed that there were two options existed for the new structure - the creation of a combined authority with the Leader being the representative from each Local Authority and for a combined authority with a mayor. The Leader confirmed that residents would be consulted on any future model once clarity had been received from Government in relation to timescales and the final decision-making process. He accepted that information was limited at this stage and explained that this was the first opportunity to share the information that was available.

Additional comments were received from Cllr Jackson, Cllr Grant, Cllr Cape and Cllr Budden about the potential to include Hampshire in the scope of ‘The Heart of Wessex’ in the expression of interest, the M4 being the economic driver for Wiltshire, whether any conversations had taken place with the Leader of West Berkshire, reference to the Integrated Care Board and the additional levels of complexity associated with the proposals and the need to include detail about economic linkages in the expressions of interest.

Resolved:

Cabinet noted:

1.    The expression of interest submitted to government

2.    The intention to continue discussions with neighbouring councils as appropriate

Reason for Decision:

Devolution should provide greater freedoms and flexibilities allowing councils to work more effectively to improve services for local residents.