Issue - meetings

This report sets out the background relating to devolution, County Deals and the Levelling Up agenda currently being pursued by the Government. It also covers the way in which this has been received in Surrey and the implications and opportunities offered by participation in the negotiation of a future County Deal. The report also makes reference to previous initiatives that have involved possible local government reorganisation.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)        Note the background to the development of local government devolution initiatives over recent years and the opportunities and threats offered by the Government’s Levelling Up agenda in the form of a possible County Deal for Surrey.

(2)        Agree that the working group will continue discussions with Surrey County Council to explore opportunities for the delivery of services and renewal programmes in the Borough that improve the health and well-being of Epsom and Ewell residents, whether as part of a County Deal or not.

(3)        Agree that Officers should continue to explore opportunities for joint working with Surrey Boroughs and Districts and other local authorities to provide efficiencies and improved services for our residents.

The Committee received a report setting out the background relating to devolution, County Deals and the Levelling Up agenda currently being pursued by the Government. It also covered the way in which this has been received in Surrey and the implications and opportunities offered by participation in the negotiation of a future County Deal.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Amendment 1 to recommendations. Councillor David Gulland proposed and Councillor Kate Chinn seconded the following amendment to recommendation 2 of the report:

“Agree that the working party will continue discussions with Surrey County Council and other borough and district councils in Surrey to explore opportunities for the delivery of services and renewal programmes in the Borough that either improve the health and well-being of Epsom & Ewell residents or that result in operational efficiencies for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, with particular emphasis on the 8 areas identified by the KPMG report, whether as part of a County Deal or not.”

Following consideration by the Committee, the proposer withdrew the amendment.

b)           Amendment 2 to the recommendations. Councillor Eber Kington proposed the following amendment to add a third recommendation to the report:

“Recommendation 3. Agrees that Officers should continue to explore opportunities for joint working with Surrey Boroughs and Districts and other local authorities to provide efficiencies and improved services for our residents.”

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously agreed to the proposed amendment.

The Committee then moved to the vote on the recommendations. The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the background to the development of local government devolution initiatives over recent years and the opportunities and threats offered by the Government’s Levelling Up agenda in the form of a possible County Deal for Surrey.

(2)      Agree that the working group will continue discussions with Surrey County Council to explore opportunities for the delivery of services and renewal programmes in the Borough that improve the health and well-being of Epsom and Ewell residents, whether as part of a County Deal or not.

(3)      Agrees that Officers should continue to explore opportunities for joint working with Surrey Boroughs and Districts and other local authorities to provide efficiencies and improved services for our residents.