Agenda and minutes

            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).

            It was reported that no Declarations of Interest had been received.

          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.

To receive updates from the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor.

           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 stood 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, who was one of the victims of the terrorist attack.

           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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            RESOLVED – That the minutes of the LCR Combined Authority held on 12 April 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

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.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

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

Local Enterprise Partnership

Associate Members

            Portfolio Holders

          *Indicates non-voting member

**Indicates non-voting co-opted member

Deputy Portfolio Holders

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.  

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

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

Transport Committee

Audit and Governance Committee

Appointments and Disciplinary Committee

          RESOLVED – That the appointments to the Committee’s as set out in the amended report be agreed.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

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

(ii)            LCR Local Enterprise Hold Company

(iii)           LCR Local Enterprise Delivery Company

           (iv)      Chrysalis Fund

           (v)       Chrysalis Advisory Committee

           (vi)      Transport Nominations

(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

           (ix)      European Structural and Investment Fund Committee

           (x)       North West Regional Leaders Board

           (xi)      North West Employers Organisation

           (xii)     Workforce Engagement Board

This report will provide a summary of some of the key achievements of the Combined Authority during 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions which have been submitted in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11. A period of 30 minutes will be allocated for this item. Copies of valid questions will be circulated at the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to submit questions are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, Merseytravel, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

A proforma will be supplied for the submission of public questions which for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 20 May 2019.

           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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Members of the public who wish to submit a single position or statement in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11 are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, Merseytravel, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

The single petition or statement for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 20 May 2019.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that no petitions or statements had been received.

           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.