The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017

Proceedings

4.—(1) Any questions that are to be decided by the Combined Authority are to be decided by a majority of the members present and voting on that question at a meeting of the Combined Authority, and such majority is to include the Mayor, or the deputy Mayor acting in place of the Mayor, and substitute members, acting in place of members.

(2) No business is to be transacted at a meeting of the Combined Authority unless at least two members appointed by the constituent councils, including the Chair or substitute members acting in place of members are present at the meeting.

(3) If the Mayor is in post, no business is to be transacted at a meeting of the Combined Authority unless at least three members are present at the meeting, and such members include—

(a) the Mayor, or the deputy Mayor acting in place of the Mayor; and

(b) at least two members appointed by the constituent councils or substitute members acting in place of members.

(4) Each member, or substitute member acting in that member’s place, is to have one vote and no member or substitute member is to have a casting vote.

(5) Decisions must be carried by a majority of the Mayor and members of the Combined Authority appointed by the constituent councils, or substitute members acting in place of those members, present and voting on that question.

(6) If a vote is tied on any matter it is deemed not to have been carried.

(7) A decision on a question relating to the following matters requires a unanimous vote in favour by the Mayor and all members of the Combined Authority appointed by the constituent councils, or substitute members acting in place of those members, present and voting on that question at a meeting of the Combined Authority at which all members of the Combined Authority are present to be carried—

(a) approval of the Combined Authority’s constitution and standing orders and any amendments; and

(b) adoption of a spatial development strategy.

(8) A decision on a question relating to the following matters requires a unanimous vote in favour at a meeting of the Combined Authority at which all members of the Combined Authority are present, by all members appointed by the constituent councils, or substitute members acting in place of those members, present and voting on that question to be carried—

(a) approval of borrowing limits; and

(b) treasury management strategy including reserves, investment strategy, borrowing and budget of the Combined Authority, the amount of any expenses to be met by the constituent councils and the amount of any levy.

(9) A decision on a question relating to the exercise of the functions of the Combined Authority requires a vote in favour at a meeting of the Combined Authority at which all members of the Combined Authority are present, except for—

(a) where responsibility for the exercise of the function has been delegated in accordance with the constitution of the Combined Authority (and which may include delegation of such powers and functions of the Combined Authority to sub-committees or to officers as the Combined Authority considers appropriate); and

(b) matters which fall to be considered by the Combined Authority’s overview and scrutiny committee and audit committee(1).

(10) The proceedings of the Combined Authority are not invalidated by any vacancy among its members or substitute members or by any defect in the appointment or qualifications of any member or substitute member.

(11) The provisions in this Schedule relating to the Mayor or deputy Mayor only have effect where the Mayor, or deputy Mayor, as the case may be, are in office.

(1)

Paragraphs 1(1) and 4(1) of Schedule 5A to the 2009 Act require a combined authority to arrange for the appointment of one or more overview and scrutiny committees and for the appointment of an audit committee.