Issue - meetings

During 2020 through the Buckinghamshire Growth Board (comprising elected Members and representatives from health and business) the Council and its partners had developed proposals for a Recovery and Growth Deal building on the unique strengths, partnerships, and opportunities within the County.  In November 2020 had Cabinet agreed the deal proposition and supported engagement with government with the aim of securing investment in the county.

In July 2021, the Prime Minister had set out his vision on how the government would level up the UK.  As part of this he had announced plans to take a more flexible approach to devolution through the creation of new ‘County Deals’.  Expressions of interest were invited from upper tier local authorities interested in pursuing discussions with government to develop a County Deal.

To confirm the Buckinghamshire Council’s intention to submit a bid the Leader of the Council had written to the Minister in August this year.

RESOLVED –

That ongoing negotiations with central Government to secure a county deal for Buckinghamshire based on the priorities and proposals set out in the Council’s Recovery and Growth Proposition be supported.

During 2020 through the Buckinghamshire Growth Board (comprising elected Members and representatives from health and business) the Council and its partners had developed proposals for a Recovery and Growth Deal building on the unique strengths, partnerships, and opportunities within the County.  In November 2020 had Cabinet agreed the deal proposition and supported engagement with government with the aim of securing investment in the county.

In July 2021, the Prime Minister had set out his vision on how the government would level up the UK.  As part of this he had announced plans to take a more flexible approach to devolution through the creation of new ‘County Deals’.  Expressions of interest were invited from upper tier local authorities interested in pursuing discussions with government to develop a County Deal.

To confirm the Buckinghamshire Council’s intention to submit a bid the Leader of the Council had written to the Minister in August this year.

Although there was no template for an application, the Government had indicated that County Deals would be guided by some key principles. These were set out in a letter from the Secretary of State to Council Leaders, Chief Executives and Mayors in July:

·                     Strong local leadership would be fundamental.

·                     County devolution should operate across a sensible economic geography of a suitable scale and one based on local identity, bringing local partners together and with powers exercised at the right level to make a difference for local communities.

·                     The nature and appropriateness of proposed governance structures would impact on the nature of the deal and the types of powers and flexibilities provided in a deal. Government would expect demonstrable improvements in governance, efficiency and local service join-up as part of the deal that supported the delivery of levelling up.

·                     Deals to include significant reform proposals, including ways to achieve greater financial efficiency, administrative streamlining and / or more joined up services in an area.

The Council’s County Deal proposals was focused around our vision for Places, our High-tech sectors and Skills.  More information on the proposals was detailed in the Cabinet report.

A number of Members spoke and were fully supportive of the County deal proposals, and for Buckinghamshire to be at the forefront of County deals with the Government.

RESOLVED –

That ongoing negotiations with central Government to secure a county deal for Buckinghamshire based on the priorities and proposals set out in the Council’s Recovery and Growth Proposition be supported.