LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY
PUBLICATION: 24 MAY 2019
DEADLINE FOR CALL-IN: 31 MAY 2019
FOLLOWING THE CALL-IN PERIOD, DECISIONS INCLUDED IN THESE MINUTES MAY THEN BE IMPLEMENTED WHERE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO A CALL-IN.
* DENOTES KEY DECISION
At a meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority held in the Authority Chamber - No.1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP on Friday, 24th May, 2019 the following Members were
P r e s e n t:
Metro Mayor S Rotheram Chairperson of the Combined Authority (in the Chair)
Mayor J Anderson OBE, Councillor P Hackett, Mr A Hamid MBE, Councillor I Maher, Councillor G Morgan, Councillor R Polhill, Councillor S Murphy (for Councillor D Baines) and Councillor L Robinson.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Rt Hon Jane Kennedy, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Ian Moran (Leader: West Lancashire Borough Council), Cllr Russ Bowden (Leader: Warrington Borough Council), Councillor Kate Groucutt (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Digital and Innovation), Councillor Nathalie Nicholas (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Air Quality and Transport) and Barbara Spicer (Mayoral Advisor: Social Housing).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
It was reported that no Declarations of Interest had been received.
3. MINUTES SILENCE
Prior to the start of the meeting, the Metro Mayor referred to sad passing of Bernard Molloy.
The Combined Authority stood for a minutes silence as a mark of respect.
4. LIVERPOOL CITY REGION METRO MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
Metro Mayor S Rotheram welcomed Councillor’s Pat Hackett (Leader: Wirral MBC), Councillor David Baines (Leader: St Helens MBC) and Councillor Sue Murphy (Deputy Leader: St Helens MBC) to their first meeting of the LCR Combined Authority. He also took the opportunity to thank the retiring Leaders, Councillor Phil Davies and Councillor Derek Long for the contributions they had made to the work of the LCR Combined Authority.
Metro Mayor Rotheram reflected upon the recent announcement from the Prime Minister, Theresa May, who had announced that she would be resigning as Prime Minister on 7 June 2019. He noted that with her departure this made it a stronger possibility that a No Deal Brexit was more likely to occur and this would have a negative impact on the economy. Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that assessments had identified that 15,000 jobs in the North West where at risk from the World Trade Organisation rules set up. Therefore, the LCR Combined Authority Investment Team would be working on proposals to identify how the Combined Authority can support local businesses to cope with the impacts of a no deal.
The Metro Mayor informed the LCR Combined Authority that Wednesday 22 May 2019 had marked the two year anniversary of the horrific attack on the Manchester Arena. He reported that the events on this day devastated lives in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond and reiterated that the City Region should shoulder to shoulder with Manchester and thoughts were with the 22 victims, the survivors and all their families. He placed on record his thanks to Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council for lighting up a number of buildings orange as a special tribute to Megan Hurley.
Metro Mayor S Rotheram informed the LCR Combined Authority that he had recently met with representatives from the Climate Strike Group Liverpool, who had protested recently at a meeting of the LCR Combined Authority. He reported that the Group had asked him to consider issues on climate change and air quality, which young people felt particularly about. Metro Mayor S Rotheram informed Members that as a City Region significant progress was being made in this area, as the City Region was the first to adopt a Zero Carbon target of 2040, which was ten years earlier than the national target, had launched a £10m Green Investment Fund, had the first fleet of 25 zero emission hydrogen buses coming to the City Region in 2020 and the Mersey Tidal Commission with one of the biggest wind farms in Europe in Liverpool Bay.
The Metro Mayor emphasised that further work could be undertaken in regards to Climate Change, therefore he would be consulting with the Leaders of the constituent Councils to declare a Climate Change emergency, which would enable the City Region to understand the pressing issues of Climate Change.
Mayor J Anderson OBE, reflected upon the crucial important of addressing Climate Change and highlighted that it was the Labour Party who had brought the issue to the attention of Government who know needed to understand and respond to the issue of Climate Change, whilst also supporting the regions in this issue. Furthermore, he highlighted how the City Region had already demonstrated innovation in dealing with such issues and at Liverpool City Council a Select Committee and Cabinet position had been created to consider these issues. In conclusion, he highlighted that the City Region was fully committed to climate change and would work in conjunction with the national government on these issues to make real progress.
Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised that in had been in London recently for the Climate Change summit and had informed Senior Government Officials of the work taking place in Liverpool and the City Region and that this work was advanced to many other areas.
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that the City Region would be hosting a number of sporting events over the weekend which would welcome 1000’s of visitors and underlined the importance of sport to the visitor economy. On Sunday, the Rock n Roll Marathon was taking place in the City along with the Rugby League Magic Weekend which was being hosted at Anfield for the first time.
In conclusion, Metro Mayor S Rotheram referred to a recent article he had written in The New Statesman in which he had highlighted the division and racial tension caused by some candidates standing in the European Parliamentary elections and called upon the electorate to reject there message of hate.
5. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LCR COMBINED AUTHORITY HELD ON 12 APRIL 2019
RESOLVED – That the minutes of the LCR Combined Authority held on 12 April 2019 be approved as a correct record.
6. CONSTITUTION UPDATE
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority considered the report of the Monitoring Officer which set out a number of proposed revisions to the Constitution. The amendments included the following:-
Part 1 – this had been updated with some minor changes to reflect the reality of the Combined Authority; Part 2 – this had been updated to reflect some technical changes to the legislative references; Part 3 – - Section A – the inclusion of Deputy Portfolio Holders; Reference to the governance companies; Part 3 – Section D – Audit and Governance Committee – updated terms of reference; Part 3 – Section F – removal of the Investment Committee Part 3 – Section G – Standing Delegations to Officers relating to the Monitoring Officer; Part 4 – Section B – Access to information and Decision Making which included the proposal to reduce the key decision threshold for capital and expenditure of key decisions to £150,000; Part 4 – Section C – Overview and Scrutiny arrangements – changes to the exclusions to Call-in procedure; and Part 6 – Section A – Members Code of Conduct to incorporate the outcome of the Committee on Standards in Public Life review of local Government and Ethical standards.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED – That the revised Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Constitution, as detailed in the report now submitted, be agreed.
7. COMBINED AUTHORITY NOMINATIONS 2019-20
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority considered a report of the Chief Executive which outlined the nominations to the Combined Authority following the Annual Meetings of the constituent Councils.
A supplementary agenda was also tabled setting out the nominations that had been made since the agenda had been published and also included nominations to the appointment of Portfolio and Deputy Portfolio Holders. Taking the tabled document into account, the nominations were as follows:-
Combined Authority
Appointment Substitute appointment Halton Council Councillor R Polhill Councillor M Wharton Knowsley MBC Councillor G Morgan Councillor S Donnelly Liverpool CC Mayor J Anderson OBE Councillor Wendy Simon Sefton MBC Councillor I Maher Councillor J Fairclough St Helens MBC Councillor D Baines Councillor S Murphy Wirral MBC Councillor P Hackett Councillor A Leech
Local Enterprise Partnership
Appointment Substitute appointment Local Enterprise Mr Asif Hamid MBE Mr Paul Corcoran Partnership
Associate Members
Appointment Substitute appointment Warrington BC Councillor R Bowden Councillor C Mitchell West Lancashire Councillor I Moran Councillor Y Gagen BC
Portfolio Holders
Portfolio Nomination Policy, Reform and Resources Metro Mayor S Rotheram Education, Employment and Skills Mayor J Anderson OBE Digital Connectivity and Inclusion Councillor D Baines Housing and Spatial Framework Councillor G Morgan Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Councillor R Polhill Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy Councillor I Maher Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Councillor P Hackett Business Support and Brexit* Mr A Hamid MBE Transport and Air Quality** Councillor L Robinson Criminal Justice** Rt Hon Jane Kennedy *Indicates non-voting member **Indicates non-voting co-opted member
Deputy Portfolio Holders
Portfolio Nomination Policy, Reform and Resources Councillor C Thomas Education, Employment and Skills Councillor P Sinnott Digital Connectivity and Inclusion Councillor L Robertson - Collins Housing and Spatial Framework Councillor T Hardy Low Carbon and Energy Renewable Councillor S Powell Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy Councillor G Wood Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Councillor K Groucutt Business Support and Brexit To be advised Transport and Air Quality Councillor N Nicholas Criminal Justice To be advised
RESOLVED – That:-
(i) the appointments from the Constituent Councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership to the Combined Authority be noted;
(ii) Mayor Joe Anderson OBE be appointed as the Deputy Chair for 2019/20;
(iii) the appointments from the Associate Members to the Combined Authority be noted;
(iv) the appointment of non-voting Members as set out in Section 7 of the report now submitted be approved;
(v) the appointment of the Portfolio and Deputy Portfolio Holders as set out in Section 5 and 8 of the report now submitted be approved; and
(vi) the appointment of Committee Services Manager as the Statutory Scrutiny Officer be approved;
(vii) the appointment of the Senior Committee Officers as the Deputy Statutory Scrutiny Officer be approved;
(viii) the other previously appointed Statutory Officers be noted;
(ix) the update on Mayoral Advisors be noted; and
(x) the Combined Authority staffing structure as set out in Appendix One be noted.
8. APPOINTMENTS TO COMBINED AUTHORITY COMMITTEES 2019-20
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority considered a report of the Chief Executive which outlined the appointments to the Committees of the Combined Authority.
A supplementary agenda was also tabled setting out the appointments which had been made since the agenda had been published.
Taking the tabled document into account, the appointments were as follows:-
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Members Halton Council Cllr K Wainwright (Labour) Cllr B Woolfall (Labour) Cllr L Whitely (Labour) Knowsley MBC Cllr C Cashman (Liberal Democrat) Cllr E Finneran (Labour) Cllr G Flatley (Labour) Liverpool CC Cllr T Crone (Green) Cllr T O’Brien (Labour) Cllr P Hurley (Labour) Sefton MBC Cllr C Howard (Labour) Cllr P Murphy (Labour) Cllr S Marshall (Labour) St Helens MBC Cllr A Bowden (Labour) Cllr R Hattersley (Labour) Cllr J Jackson (Labour) Wirral MBC Cllr H Cameron (Conservative) Cllr A Jones(Labour) Cllr J Stapleton (Labour) LCR Conservative Group Cllr Sir R Watson CBE nomination LCR Liberal Democrat Group Cllr J Pugh nomination
Transport Committee
Members Halton Council Cllr J Stockton (Labour) Cllr H Howard (Labour) Cllr G Philbin (Labour) Opposition Member to be confirmed Knowsley MBC Cllr K McGlashan (Labour) Cllrs Mrs M O’Mara MBE (Labour) Cllr Ms L Mooney (Labour) Cllr Mrs F Wynn (Liberal Democrat) Liverpool CC Cllr L Robinson (Labour) Cllr N Nicholas (Labour) Cllr H Thompson (Labour) Cllr A Lavelle (Labour) Sefton MBC Cllr G Friel (Labour) Cllr P McKinley (Labour) Cllr N Killen (Labour) Cllr J Dodd (Liberal Democrat) St Helens MBC Cllr A Jones (Conservative) Cllr P Pritchard (Labour) Cllr J Wiseman (Labour) Cllr M Uddin (Labour) Wirral MBC Cllr P Cleary (Green) Cllr S Foulkes (Labour) Cllr J Williams (Labour) Cllr P Hayes (Conservative)
Audit and Governance Committee
Members Substitute Members Combined Councillor D Baines Councillor G Morgan Authority Councillor P Hackett Cllr I Maher Overview and 2 Labour Councillors 2 Labour Councillors Scrutiny 1 Liberal Democrat 1 Liberal Democrat Committee Councillor Councillor 1 Conservative Councillor 1 Conservative Councillor (To be appointed from the (To be appointed from the membership of the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its first Committee at its first meeting) meeting) Independent Mr Martin McDonagh Not applicable Person
Appointments and Disciplinary Committee
Nominated Representatives Combined Authority Metro Mayor S Rotheram Mayor J Anderson OBE Councillor G Morgan Councillor D Baines Councillor I Maher Councillor R Polhill Councillor P Hackett
RESOLVED – That the appointments to the Committee’s as set out in the amended report be agreed.
9. APPOINTMENTS TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS 2019-20
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority considered the report of the Chief Executive which proposed a number of appointments to external organisations. A supplementary agenda was also tabled setting out the appointments which had been made since the agenda had been published.
The Monitoring Officer informed Members that at paragraph 6.4 of the report it incorrectly advised that Mr Asif Hamid MBE be appointed to the Mersey Dee Alliance when this required an appointment from the LCR Local Enterprise Partnership Board.
RESOLVED – That the following appointments be approved:-
(i) LCR Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Position Name Metro Mayor of the LCR Combined Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Authority
Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Councillor Pat Hackett Portfolio Holder Education, Employment and Skills Mayor Joe Anderson OBE Portfolio Holder
(ii) LCR Local Enterprise Hold Company
Position Name Guarantor – Metro Mayor of the LCR Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Combined Authority Guarantor – Inclusive Economy and Third Councillor Pat Hackett Sector Portfolio Holder
(iii) LCR Local Enterprise Delivery Company
Position Name Non-Executive Director Mark Bousfield, Director of Commercial Development and Investment Non-Executive Director Kirsty Pearce, Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning
(iv) Chrysalis Fund
Position Name
Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Councillor Pat Hackett Portfolio Holder - Board Director Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Councillor Kate Groucutt Deputy Portfolio Holder – Substitute
(v) Chrysalis Advisory Committee
Name Organisation Santiago Issa LCR Combined Authority Wes Rourke Halton Borough Council Alan Evans Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
(vi) Transport Nominations
Organisation Representative Transport for the North (TfN) Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Partnership Board Councillor Liam Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality (Substitute Member) Rail North Committee Member Councillor Liam Robinson Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality Association of Rail North Authority Councillor Liam Robinson Leaders Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality Director of Rail North Ltd Councillor Liam Robinson Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality
(vii) the Transport Committee be asked to appoint a substitute Member to the Rail North Committee and a Member and substitute Member to the Scrutiny Committee of Transport for the North;
(viii) Mersey Dee Alliance
Name Representing Councillor Pat Hackett Leader of Wirral MBC (Voting Member) Councillor Pat Hackett Portfolio Holder – Inclusive Economy and Third Sector (Non-Voting Member) To be confirmed LCR Local Enterprise Partnership (Non-Voting Member)
(ix) European Structural and Investment Fund Committee
Name Representing Councillor Pat Hackett Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Portfolio Holder (Co-Chair) Mayor Joe Anderson OBE Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder Councillor Eddie Jones Representative from the Employment and Skills Board Councillor Liam Robinson Transport and Air Quality Portfolio Holder
(x) North West Regional Leaders Board
Name Representing Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Metro Mayor of LCR Combined Authority Councillor David Baines Leader of St Helens MBC
Councillor Graham Morgan Leader of Knowsley MBC
(xi) North West Employers Organisation
Name Representing Mayor Joe Anderson OBE Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder
(xii) Workforce Engagement Board
Name Representing Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram LCR Combined Authority Councillor David Baines Leader of St Helens MBC Councillor Graham Morgan Leader of Knowsley MBC
10. END OF YEAR REVIEW OF THE COMBINED AUTHORITY 2018/19
Members considered a report of the Chief Executive which provided a summary of the achievements of the Combined Authority during the 2018/19 municipal year.
Metro Mayor S Rotheram informed the LCR Combined Authority that this month marked the two year anniversary since the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority and five years since the creation of a Combined Authority and provided Members with the following summary of some of the key highlights from the past 12 months:-
£184million had been secured in extra funding from Government, in addition to the £900m included in the devolution deal; Supported the Liverpool 2018 cultural programme with a £5m investment; Introduced the first UCAS style apprenticeship portal in the County and half price bus travel for apprentices; The first new train station on Merseyside for 20 years was opened at Maghull North along with the re-opened Halton Curve; Delivered a fully modernised and refurbished train station at Newton-le- Willows; Took devolved control of the £52M Adult Education Budget; Introduced a £1 fast tag toll for City Region residents; Established One Front Door, which provided a single point of contact for City Region investment enquiries; Established a £6m Town Centre Funding; and Invested £16m in a 600kilometer cycling and walking routes.
In conclusion, Metro Mayor S Rotheram reflected upon how the LCR Combined Authority was beginning to bring real benefits to the City Region through the devolution deal.
Councillor G Morgan, thanked the LCR Combined Authority for the £6.5m contribution from the Strategic Investment Fund towards the construction of the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot. Along with approximately £8m of funding towards the Prescot Connect scheme which was to deliver major public realm improvements and upgrades around Prescot Rail Station. Councillor Morgan also referred to the investment in the Alchemy business park which was a speculative development comprising of 103,550 square feet of employment space on the Knowsley Business Park for logistics and industrial use. This development was being supported by a Local Growth Fund grant of £1.800m awarded through the Strategic Investment Fund.
Mayor J Anderson OBE reflected upon the austerity cuts which all Local Authorities in the City Region had been subject to and indicated that if devolution powers had not been secured the City Region would have been subject to greater austerity. He reported that the distribution of the Strategic Investment Fund was within the control of the Combined Authority which allowed the Authority to have direct control over how it was invested. Mayor Anderson OBE highlighted the benefits which could be achieved through the Strategic Investment Fund, which included the uplift to the economy, the creation of jobs and the significant investment into cultural attractions such as the Giants and the Terracotta Army. Mayor J Anderson OBE also highlighted the development of Pall Mall which would provide investment into much required premium office space, Paddington Village which provided a high quality medical campus and the investment into the Cruise Liner terminal. Mayor J Anderson OBE explained how these examples demonstrated the value of the LCR Combined Authority.
Councillor P Hackett, highlighted how the funding from the LCR Combined Authority was of great benefit to Wirral and referred to the recent visit of the Giants to New Brighton which had been extremely successful and demonstrated what could be achieved for the area. Councillor Hackett also highlighted the improvements to the A41 Corridor which were undertaken following investment of £2.3m from the LCR Combined Authority and the introduction of the £1 fast tag which would benefit Wirral residents in particular.
Mr A Hamid MBE referred to the comments made by Mayor J Anderson OBE and emphasised how the City Region was working together to identify investment opportunities across the City Region. He provided the example of One Front Door as an approach which was changing the perception of the City Region.
RESOLVED – That:-
(i) The End of Year Review 2018-19 be agreed; and
(ii) The development of the End of Year Review into a printed publication, subject to any amendments being undertaken in consultation with the Chief Executive, be endorsed.
11. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Members of the public were given the opportunity to submit questions which had been submitted in accordance with Meeting Standing Order No.11.
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that three question’s had been received, two questions had been received from Josie Mullen and one question had been received from Mr D Hawley, who weren’t present at the meeting. Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised that Jill Coule, Monitoring Officer, would read the questions out on their behalf.
Question One – Josie Mullen
‘People living within Liverpool Combined Authority have no opportunity whatsoever to speak at LCA meetings [even though 30 minutes is allocated to Public Question Time] People can read out their questions - then they have to stay mute. The answer is not councillor surgeries or specific meetings with the Metro Mayor this is about giving the public a voice in respect of LCRCA matters. Therefore, can the 30 minute Public Question Time slot be changed to permit a limited dialogue between the public and Metro Mayor/Leaders, based on the questions submitted?’
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that a formal response to the question would be provided in 10 working days. However, he responded by advising that meetings of the LCR Combined Authority were business meetings and the public question time item reflected this formality. He explained that he would be hosting a Mayoral Question Time in each of the six Local Authority areas and which would be open to Members of the public to attend.
Question Two – Josie Mullen
‘The Year of The Environment must also be used to start a conversation on how we protect and preserve our stunning natural assets for future generations, we must embrace the challenge, stand ready to shape the debate, we must create the ideas to foster lasting change".
In order to 'start the conversation' it is vitally important that the protection of green space, parkland, green belt and green wedge is discussed. This debate needs to include topics such as Planning legislation, the influence of developers in relation to the sale of green space etc.
As the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is not contributing any money to The Year of The Environment, would the Metro Mayor back up statements made on the importance of the natural environment by financing a conference for all 'green' groups within the City Region to debate and disseminate information re. Protecting Our Green Heritage, this can be organised in conjunction with green groups.’
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that the Combined Authority did not operate the Year of the Environment, this was the responsibility of Nature Connected and it would be for them to decide on the programme of events and recognised that the programme should ensure there is a legacy in which to build on further. He further explained that energy and the environment were one of the key growth areas for the local economy with 1,400 businesses and 27,000 people working in this sector, which included off shore windfarms, hydrogen capture and recovery, hydrogen trains and buses and electric buses and working to improve the warmth in homes across the City Region. He referred to the ongoing development of the Mersey Tidal Power scheme and how this could be provide the Country with renewable energy. In conclusion, he confirmed that a Green Summit would be held as part of the Year of the Environment and a wide number of stakeholders would be invited to attend.
Question Three – Mr David Hawley
‘The foot flow in St Helens Town Centre is suffering a decline with a large number of shops closing. To improve the viability of the Town Centre would the Combined Authority consider re-opening an old disused railway line, which runs from St Helens Central to St Helens Junction, this would then link St Helens to the Trans Pennine rail network. If this line was re-opened as a tramline this would then lead into the second phase of my proposal which is to carry on the line to Newton Le Willows. This would tie in with the proposed Warrington district tram network. These trams could be powered by hydrogen, as would the tram service in Warrington. We have 70% of environmentally friendly buses running in the Liverpool region, yet in St Helens, we do not have any. St Helens is the third biggest authority in the Liverpool city region. In carrying this rail improvement, it will create jobs and put the fabric together to start regeneration in the St Helens Town Centre for future generations.’
Metro Mayor S Rotheram noted how the High Street had been declining in recent years and urged Central Government to provide greater support to Local Authorities to enable them to make improvements to the High Street. He highlighted that the LCR Combined Authority was looking to see what it could do to support these improvements, firstly through the Town Centre Fund. In conclusion, he noted that further consideration would be given to Mr Hawley’s question and a response be provided within 10 working days. 12. PETITIONS AND STATEMENTS
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that no petitions or statements had been received.
13. VOTE OF THANKS
Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that Margaret Carney, Chief Executive of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council would be retiring from her position on 31 May 2019 following 40 years of service in Local Government, 10 of which she had been Chief Executive at Sefton Council. He advised that Margaret had been pivotal in the establishment of the Combined Authority which saw her take on the lead officer responsibility for health, wellbeing and social care in the City Region.
In closing, on behalf of the LCR Combined Authority the Metro Mayor placed on record his thanks to Margaret for her support and commitment to the LCR Combined Authority and wished her well for the future.
Minutes 1 to 13 be received as a correct record on the 28th day of June 2019.
Chairperson of the Combined Authority
(The meeting closed at 1.52 pm)