Issue - meetings

To consider acting as the Accountable Body for the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the administration of the Growing Places Fund and for LEP Core funding.

Consideration was given to Cheshire East Council acting as the Accountable Body for the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the administration of the Growing places Fund and LEP Core Funding. 

The report sought approval for various arrangements to enable LEP Core Funding to be received and handled on behalf of the LEP, for processes to be established for approving individual bids relating the Growing Places Fund, and with regard to the roles and accountabilities of the various bodies involved.

RESOLVED

1.    That, subject to 3 below, approval be given for the Council to act as the Accountable Body in respect of the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the administration of the Growing Places Fund and LEP Core funding, and that delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance & Business Services to permit the Council to undertake an Accountable Body role for future funding directed by the Government towards the LEP (up to £100,000 annual grant per initiative), subject to consideration by the Borough Solicitor and Strategic Director for Places & Organisational Capacity, and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder (Finance).

2.    That the Director of Finance and Business Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, be given delegated authority to release grant monies and administer the GPF loan repayment scheme in accordance with the grant conditions imposed by the CLG, based on the detailed recommendations of the Investment Panel of the LEP who, after obtaining appropriate professional advice, will consider and process all applications.

3.  That each of the successful tenderers appointed by the Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission (CWEC), provide legal and/or appraisal advice in relation to the GPF scheme for the Council with the same duty of care and indemnity that they would have if the Council had carried out the procurement exercise itself.  Also that CWEC itself shall provide an indemnity against any loss sustained by the Council in its role of Accountable Body, relating to either the appointment of the external advisors, or as a result of relying on such advice and releasing funding or entering into the loan agreements.