Decision details

Submission of Stronger Somerset Proposal

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

Details of decision: 

Leader approval of the Stronger Somerset proposal following the endorsement by Full Council on the 3rd December 2020.

 

 

Reasons for proposed decision: 

At the Full Council meeting on the 3rd December 2020, the Council resolved to:

 

Endorse the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset.

 

Noting that the decision to submit the final proposal to MHCLG is a “Key Decision” pursuant to the relevant legislation and therefore requires an executive decision to be made before final submission. It is proposed that following Full Council’s endorsement of the proposal, the Leader of the Council will make the executive decision to submit the Stronger Somerset Proposal to Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government and will make any required minor amendments to the Proposal as necessary before submission in consultation with the Chief Executive and other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives.

 

The Somerset West and Taunton Constitution allows this matter to be delegated to the Leader.  Following Council endorsement the Leader has made the decision to submit the Stronger Somerset proposal to Government to ensure that Unitary Councils in Somerset are able to deliver the best possible future for Somerset, its people and its communities. A commitment that transcends political and organisational allegiances in ensuring the system of local government in place for the future of Somerset is fit for purpose and focused wholly on the needs of the residents and communities of Somerset.

 

 

Alternative funding options sourced:

 

Funding and financial implications as set out in the Full Council report.

 

 

 

The below has been completed:

 

 

Name(s)

 

Date

Relevant ward councillor(s) consulted

All councillors consulted through member briefings and proposal considered by Full Council on 3 December.

Various

 

The following are if appropriate / applicable:  Yes/No.  If yes the implications should be attached to this decision notice.

 

Finance implications

 

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Legal implications

 

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Links to corporate aims

 

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Climate and Sustainability implications

 

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Community Safety Implications

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Equalities Impact

 

Safeguarding Implications

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Risk management

 

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

Partnership implications

As set out in Stronger Somerset Full Council report

3 Dec

 

Any conflicts of interest declared by Leader or Executive Members consulted on the proposed decision.  If Yes provide confirmation from Chief Executive to grant dispensation for the Leader’s / Executive Member’s views to be considered.

 

N/A

 

Note – This decision has been taken as a Special Urgent decision as per section 16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules within the Somerset West and Taunton Council Constitution. 

On the 3rd December 2020, the Council resolved to:

1.    Endorse the Stronger Somerset proposal for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset.

2.    Note that the decision to submit the final proposal to MHCLG is a “Key Decision” pursuant to the relevant legislation and therefore requires an executive decision to be made before final submission. It is proposed that following Full Council’s endorsement of the proposal, the Leader of the Council will make the executive decision to submit the Stronger Somerset Proposal to Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government and will make any required minor amendments to the Proposal as necessary before submission in consultation with the Chief Executive and other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives

As the proposal has to be submitted to the Secretary of State by the 9th December 2020, this constitutes an Urgent decision.  16.1 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules states that ‘the decision can only be taken if the Leader or Chair of an Executive Committee or decision-maker (if an individual) obtains the agreement of the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee that the taking of the decision is urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred’.  Cllr Wren has confirmed that he is in agreement with this being an urgent decision.

As per the Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15.8, The decision detailed above will come into force immediately as one of Special Urgency and is not subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee.

 

Urgent item?: Yes

Publication date: 04/12/2020

Date of decision: 04/12/2020

Accompanying Documents: