Purpose

The Chief Legal Officer considers that since:
• the nature of the Members’ interest in respect of which the dispensation is granted, relates solely to the Members’ interests flowing from their position as elected representatives of other local authorities;
• the dispensation does not extend to any circumstances in which a Member may stand to make a personal financial gain or loss;

the dispensations would not damage public confidence in the conduct of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’ (WYCAs) business.

Moreover, the participation of Members in business under the dispensation is justified by the Members’ particular role as appointee or nominee of a local authority, with particular expertise and knowledge of their local authority’s area.

Having regard to all relevant circumstances, including that:
• West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s area covers the county of West Yorkshire;
• the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Members who have applied for such a dispensation are elected representatives of those local authorities in West Yorkshire, and York City Council, and appointed or nominated by those authorities to act as WYCA Members or co-optees,

the Chief Legal Officer considers that the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in WYCA’s area, as it will facilitate full discussion and input into WYCA’s decision-making by elected representatives from all relevant local authorities.

Decision

Further to applications received from Members, the Chief Legal Officer has, having consulted with the Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee, exercised her delegated authority to grant Members (identified in the attached Appendix) a dispensation running for the 2026/27 municipal year to no later than the date of the Combined Authority’s June 2030 annual meeting, to enable them to participate in any discussion and vote when they are present at a WYCA meeting, committee meeting or sub-committee meeting and have a disclosable pecuniary interest in any matter to be considered or being considered at the meeting which is registered in WYCA’s register of interests, and which is:

• any office they hold in WYCA, in respect of which they receive a taxable income; or
• any office they hold within any other local authority, in respect of which they receive a taxable income; or
• any office not within WYCA, to which they are appointed by WYCA, in respect of which they receive a taxable income; or
• any other office not within any other local authority, to which they are appointed by a local authority and in respect of which they receive a taxable income,

provided always that the dispensation will not apply in any circumstances in which a Member may stand to make a personal financial gain or loss from the matter.

For the purposes of this dispensation, “local authority” includes any district, unitary, metropolitan, county, parish or town council, fire and rescue authority, or national park authority of which they are a member.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 -
Option 2 -
Option 3 -