There were no apologies for absence at this meeting.

 There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) summarising the proposals contained in The English Devolution White Paper published on 16^th December 2024.  The report sought endorsement to respond by 10^th January 2025 to the invitation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to be considered for the Devolution Priority Programme.

Resolved:

1. That a letter be submitted to the Government on 10 January 2025 that:

(a) Requests that the Council (alongside Essex County Council and Thurrock Council) be part of the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution.

(b) Sets out the Council’s commitment, working with partners, to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation for submission to Government as an interim proposal in March 2025 and a full proposal in Autumn 2025.

2. That the Leader of the Council determines the content of the final letter to Government.

3. That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Executive Director (Finance and Resources), and Director of Law and Governance, undertake the initial phase of work needed to comply with the Government’s approach and 2025 timetable.

4. That all substantive proposals, for both local government reorganisation and devolution, be brought back to Council for debate and discussion.

Reasons for decision:

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has requested a joint response from all upper-tier Leaders within a devolution geography indicating an appetite to join the Devolution Priority Programme. This response must be received by 10^th January 2025.

Other options:

1. Endorse the submission of a letter to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, in partnership with Thurrock Council and Essex County Council, by 10th January 2025 advising that the Council wishes to join the Devolution Priority Programme along with Thurrock Council and Essex County Council and undertake work to develop a joint interim local government reorganisation proposal by March 2025.

2. Take no action at present and not be part of the Priority Programme. Devolution proposals could still be progressed outside of the Priority Programme. However, as the Council is part of the Greater Essex devolution proposal there is a need to align with Essex County Council and Thurrock Council. Government acknowledges that there will be areas that will be unable to make quick progress, and therefore will legislate for a ministerial directive to allow for the creation of Strategic Authorities in these areas after due time has been allowed and all other routes exhausted.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in

Cabinet Member: Cllr Cowan