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Decision details

Local Government Review – Draft Structural Changes Order

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Agree response to Government re the draft LGR Structural Changes Order

Decision:

Following the Leader’s decision on 21 September 2021 with regard to the consultation response on the preferred contents of the Structural Change Order, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have written to the eight Councils in North Yorkshire on 3 November 2021 with a copy of a draft SCO for comments.

A copy of the draft Order has been shared confidentially with Members and the Leader has determined to respond to the latest consultation with the comments attached to this Decision Record.

The Leader considered representations submitted by some of the Councillors and the approved responding to the consultation to thank the Department for the contents of the Order and to make some suggestions with regard to the names of some of the Wards. It will be a matter for the Secretary of State to determine the actual contents of the SCO.

Reasons for the decision:

The Leader chose to take the decision under the delegated power to all Executive Members in paragraph 5 of the Executive Members’ Delegation Scheme “To make a formal response on behalf of the County Council, following appropriate consultation, to any White Papers, Green Papers, Government Consultation Papers or other consultative document where it is appropriate that the response should be a member response.”

It had previously been agreed by the Chairman, on 15 November 2021, that the decision should be treated under the Council’s special urgency and call in exemption procedures given the urgency of the timescales involved to meet the Government deadline of 17 November 2021 for responding to the consultation on the drafting of the SCO. This procedure has been followed to allow the Council to respond within the two week deadline set by Government.

Alternative options considered:

As the contents of the wording of the SCO had encapsulated the majority of requests made by the County Council, it was not considered necessary by the Leader to comment on the legal drafting of the Order. However the Leader gave due consideration to suggestions submitted by some Councillors on the proposed names of Wards and determined to respond on the basis of the above.

Publication date: 17/11/2021

Date of decision: 17/11/2021