Agenda item

Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships – Government Local Enterprise Partnership Review

Minutes:

Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development and Planning, Lancashire County Council, presented a report (circulated) regarding Government publication of its Local Enterprise Partnership Review – Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships.

 

It was noted that the Review identified a range of issues which all Local Enterprise Partnerships need to consider and address with a view to establishing the response of the Board.

 

Martin highlighted the main points contained within the Review including the need for Local Enterprise Partnerships to comply with new requirements relating to Board makeup (diversity and gender), developing independence from Local Authorities, re-defining the strategic purpose and focus and new governance requirements.

 

In addition to the report presented, the Chair, Edwin Booth, circulated a paper containing his proposals to the Board for transitional arrangements in response to the Governments Review.

 

It was noted that the Chair had indicated he was to resign with effect from end December and a new Chair would take over from January 2019 onwards.  It was noted that the Deputy-Chair, David Taylor, had offered to take over on an interim basis should it be necessary whilst arrangements be confirmed for a new permanent Chair.

 

In addition, the Chair asked for all existing Directors to consider their roles and if any Directors intend to step down over the next 6-12 months to let him know as this will need to be factored in to ensure the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership complies with new Government requirements regarding diversity and gender, in particular the requirement for at least one third of Directors to be female by 2020, moving towards half by 2023.

 

In response to Directors questions regarding the requirement of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to become independent of local authority support, the Leader of Lancashire County Council confirmed the county council's ongoing support for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.

 

Given the need to respond to Government urgently with a plan to move forward on the new Government requirements, the Chair proposed that the Board sanction the creation of a transition working group with Lancashire Enterprise Director Graham Cowley contracted (days per week and time span to be confirmed by the Company Member in accordance with the Articles of Association) to scope-out all the areas of activity to include – compliance, governance, capacity, commitments, business model and income generation, independence from local authorities and relevant learning and good practice from other Local Enterprise Partnership areas.

 

It was proposed and agreed that the work of the transition working group led by Graham Cowley receive a peer review of key decisions when options need to be considered.

 

In addition it was proposed and agreed that the role undertaken by Graham Cowley be remunerated accordingly. 

 

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board

 

(i)  Noted and commented on the key findings of the Government's Local Enterprise Partnership Review, as presented.

 

(ii)  Discussed the key issues for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, as set out in section 2 and Appendix 'B' of the circulated report and the need for the Chair and the Board to lead the transitional process.

 

(iii)Agreed that Graham Cowley be contracted and remunerated, with support from Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Officers, to scope a transition work programme in response to the Government Review, on terms and conditions to be confirmed by the Company Member, Lancashire County Council, in accordance with the company Articles of Association; and

 

(iv)Authorised the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Chair, with support from Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Officers, to confirm to Government that the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership wishes to continue operating with its current pan-Lancashire geography.

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