Decision

Resolved:-

(1)          that approval be given to the West Midlands Deeper Devolution Deal as set out in this report and attached Appendices, which includes the in- principle award of the Bus Operator’s Grant as a Mayoral function;

(2)          that the Leader of the Council is authorised to vote in favour of the Deeper Devolution Deal when it is considered at the West Midlands Combined Authority Board;

(3)          that any views of Cabinet on the draft Governance Review and Scheme for the devolution of Bus Services Operator Grant (BSOG) are submitted to WMCA by Wednesday 27 September 2023;

(4)          that the Director of Regeneration and Growth, the Director of Finance and the Monitoring Officer are authorised to engage on the detailed implementation of the agreed elements of the Deeper Devolution Deal;

(5)          that further reports are received by Cabinet (and Council if appropriate) on specific issues relating to the detail of the Deeper Devolution Deal such as opt-outs and approval of the making of the Statutory Instruments following the receipt of a draft order for BSOG;

(6)          that the Director of Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Monitoring Officer and the Director of Finance, undertakes such actions and exercises all necessary powers required to give effect to the Deeper Devolution Deal where it is considered expedient and necessary to do so;

(7)          that Cabinet note the financial benefits and risks as set out in Section 8 of the report.