Agenda item

Stronger Somerset Final Proposal

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That District Executive agreed to:

 

a.

seek Council endorsement for the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset. and recommend its approval to full Council, for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

 

 

 

b.

delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives, to make minor amendments to the Proposal as necessary and / or appropriate, ahead of its submission to the Secretary of State.

 

 

 

District Executive also recommended that Council:

 

 

 

c.

support the continuing consultation and engagement with key partners, neighbouring authorities, business, staff, unions and local stakeholders, above and beyond any programme of consultation that may be required by the Government in due course.

 

 

d.

agree to this Council, with the other Somerset councils, advancing the delivery of aspects of the proposals for reform ahead of the Secretary of State’s approval where so doing will support the Stronger Somerset Proposal and lead to early delivery of efficiencies, community outcomes and greater collaboration & integration

 

 

e.

pay due regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment, attached as Appendix B, in considering the proposal for a Stronger Somerset

 

 

f.

note that, in the best interests of the communities and residents of South Somerset, the Council will continue to work with colleagues across all tiers of local government and public service in Somerset including ensuring our residents, communities and businesses are supported through the pandemic.

 

Reason:

To propose that Council confirm the submission of the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by 9th December 2020.

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman noted that District Executive were asked to delegate authority to herself as Leader and the Chief Executive in consultation with the other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives, to make minor amendments to the Proposal as necessary and / or appropriate, ahead of its submission to the Secretary of State.  The other recommendations were to be commended to Council for approval.

 

The Chief Executive said the Council were at a significant milestone in the debate regarding local government in Somerset.  He outlined the history of the discussions which had taken place with all the Councils, the decision by Somerset County Council to pursue their one unitary authority bid and, the draft business plan for two unitary authorities by the District Councils which had been agreed at Council in September 2020.  Since then the official invitation from the Secretary of State to submit business proposals had been received and all the District Councils had engaged with many organisations across Somerset to take their views by on-line meetings, social media, the website and an Ipsos Mori poll.  This consultation had resulted in an updated business plan to reflect the feedback received.  He said there was broad support for the Stronger Somerset business case which would make a difference in the quality of life for residents.  The proposals would reform local government, give better outcomes for communities, invest in better services and have a greater financial benefit than a single unitary authority.  The business case had been drawn up by the best expertise from both within Somerset at nationally as this was a once in a generation opportunity to make a real change in Somerset. 

 

Councillor Peter Seib congratulated the team involved in compiling the business case and said he was pleased to see there was greater clarity around the delivery of childrens services and the structure of the organisation.  He also commended public consultation through the Ipsos Mori poll. 

 

The Chairman also thanked the officers for their work in compiling the business plan and she proposed the recommendations be confirmed by District Executive.  This was seconded by Councillor Adam Dance and unanimously confirmed by Members.

 

RESOLVED:

That District Executive agreed to:

 

a.

seek Council endorsement for the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset. and recommend its approval to full Council, for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

 

 

 

b.

delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives, to make minor amendments to the Proposal as necessary and / or appropriate, ahead of its submission to the Secretary of State.

 

 

 

District Executive also recommended that Council:

 

 

 

c.

support the continuing consultation and engagement with key partners, neighbouring authorities, business, staff, unions and local stakeholders, above and beyond any programme of consultation that may be required by the Government in due course.

 

 

d.

agree to this Council, with the other Somerset councils, advancing the delivery of aspects of the proposals for reform ahead of the Secretary of State’s approval where so doing will support the Stronger Somerset Proposal and lead to early delivery of efficiencies, community outcomes and greater collaboration & integration

 

 

e.

pay due regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment, attached as Appendix B, in considering the proposal for a Stronger Somerset

 

 

f.

note that, in the best interests of the communities and residents of South Somerset, the Council will continue to work with colleagues across all tiers of local government and public service in Somerset including ensuring our residents, communities and businesses are supported through the pandemic.

 

Reason:

To propose that Council confirm the submission of the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by 9th December 2020.

 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Supporting documents: