Sent on behalf of the Association of West Yorkshire authorities
There is one month left for members of the public, local businesses or interest groups to have their say in a Government consultation on proposals to establish a Combined Authority in West Yorkshire.
The government is consulting on the plan to bring together responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.
From the consultation, the Secretary of State must be convinced that creating the new body will improve on the current arrangements relating to effectiveness and efficiency of transport, statutory functions around economic development and regeneration, and improve economic conditions.
Government will consult a number of statutory bodies, including county councils and district councils, as well as neighbouring authorities, but members of the public, voluntary sector organisations local businesses and their representative groups are also encouraged to take part.
The draft Order has been welcomed by the members of the Shadow Combined Authority as it reflects the findings of their own review and submitted scheme, which is available to read at www.awya.gov.uk(external link). Councils and the Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) are currently being asked to authorise chief executives to respond to the Consultation on behalf of their authorities.
The government consultation began on 7 November and runs for 8 weeks, closing on January 2.
Responses can be sent by email to collaborate@communities.gsi.gov.uk or post to Kathy Billington, Department for Communities and Local Government, Local Democracy Division. Zone 3/J1 Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU.
The responses should be titled “Response to proposal to establish a combined authority for West Yorkshire”.
Government will take the outcome of the consultation into account in deciding to lay an Order which it is anticipated will then go before both Houses of Parliament.
The Shadow CA is continuing to meet to ensure that once the Order is approved, it is ready to begin the new arrangements from its target date of April.
The next meeting of the Shadow CA is on Thursday 5 December at the Rosebowl in Leeds (2pm start). Agenda items include the transition arrangements, the executive officer structure of the new body, the budget, and an item on the Local Growth Fund and Strategic Economic Plan.
The agenda and papers for the meeting are online at http://www.awya.gov.uk/aboutus/WYCAScheme.htm(external link)