Agenda and minutes

          The Mayor reported on the sad passing of Honorary Freeman Mr John Collins RL.

          The Council stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

          Details of a Service of Thanksgiving were announced as being on Monday 7 October 2013 at 12 noon at St Luke’s Church, Farnworth, Widnes, followed by a reception at Halton Stadium.

Executive Board will consider a report of the Chief Executive at its meeting on 19 September 2013, and will make a recommendation to Council.

Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, which advised of the current position in relation to the consultation on the Liverpool City Region Strategic Governance Review and the proposals to establish a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

          The report set out the remit of the Strategic Governance Review, the existing governance arrangements, an options assessment and details of the consultation which commenced on 2 August 2013.

          Members noted that the remit of a Combined Authority for the Liverpool City Region (LCR) would be economic development, regeneration, transport, strategic housing and employment and skills functions which could be better delivered collaboratively across the LCR.

          Members were advised that Executive Board had considered the report at its meeting earlier that day (19 September 2013), and the Boards’ recommendation to Council was tabled for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the submission of the Liverpool City Region Strategic Governance Review and Scheme to the Department for Communities and Local Government, for the establishment of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, on the basis of the drafts attached at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to the report, be approved;

2)    it be agreed that Halton Borough Council should formally become a constituent member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, thereby sharing appropriate economic development and transport powers with other Councils within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Local Transport Act 2008; and

3)    it be agreed that any technical amendments to the Liverpool City Region Strategic Governance Review and Scheme before it is submitted to the Secretary of State on 30 September 2013, be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.