Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Tony Revill, Cynthia Ransome, Rachel Hodson and Jessie Credland.

None.

There were no declarations of interest made.

There were no public statements made.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, the Committee agreed to the variation of the order of business that public statements were incorporated with Agenda Item 5, and Members of the public were provided with the opportunity to speak after hearing the presentations and the Committee’s debate.

The Chair explained that the Committee’s role was to consider the proposed devolution agreement between the Sheffield City Region and Government and in particular, what the proposed devolution deal means for Doncaster.  It was outlined that any feedback from the meeting would be forwarded to Mayor Ros Jones and circulated to all Members prior to Council’s consideration of the issue in February.  A number of Councillors in attendance, who were not on the OSMC were able to ask questions and contribute to the debate.

CITY REGION PERSPECTIVE

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor Sir Steve Houghton, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, Andrew Gates, Head of Policy, Sheffield City Region and Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair - Sheffield City Region LEP to provide an update and overview of the deal and what it means for the city region.

Sir Steve Houghton reminded Members of purpose of the deal and outlined some of its key features and benefits which included that it:-

·         would unlock long-term business investment opportunities.

·         provide greater control over European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF).

·         enable a more joined up approach with the £30 million annual allocation.

·         offer the ability to pilot the retention of 100% Business Rate growth.

·         provide an ability to invest longer term.

Members were informed that taking this deal forward would act as the first step in the journey and it was vital that Doncaster remained a part of it.  It was explained that the proposed deal provided financing for future opportunities to help support public services and deliver wider opportunities to the region. 

Members were reminded that central government funding for public services would be reduced by 2020 when there would be then 2 main funding streams for local authorities funding; council tax and business rates.  It was noted that growing business rates through investment and strategic economic growth was essential in ensuring the wellbeing of public services in the city region.

It was clarified that in the future, each local authority would be able to retain their business rate growth and in five years, would have the potential to ‘pool’ the finances.  It was commented that by pooling finances, risk and finances attributed through growth would be spread across the region.  It was added that if individual authorities were to keep their own business rate growth then there would an increased debate on where it should be spent.

The importance of the single pot was outlined and the benefits that would be derived from it using available funds.  One of the benefits included being able to profile packages and investments would be needed and more targeted to meet local needs.  Reference was made to the fact that the original devolution proposal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.