Agenda and minutes

To deal with the formalities required to implement the decisions of Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in February 2024 in relation to the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

The Joint Committee considered a report on the formalities required to implement the decisions of Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire West & Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in February 2024 in relation to the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

Councillors L Gittins and S Corcoran gave thanks to those who had served on the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Joint Committee

1.    note the resignation of the two Class B members and formally thank them for their service to the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

2.    sign the Consent Form set out at Appendix A.

3.    approve and sign the attached resolutions set out at Appendix B which give effect to the decisions made by the Councils.

4.    note the resignation of current Directors and formally thank them for their service to the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Limited.

5.      sign the local authority direction for the appointment of Directors set out at Appendix C.

To consider and endorse the draft business plan for Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington and Marketing Cheshire for 2024-25.

The Joint Committee considered a report on the draft business plan for Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington and Marketing Cheshire for 2024-25.

The Joint Committee welcomed the proposals and the joint working across Cheshire and Warrington and noted the objective to produce an inclusive and sustainable economic plan.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Joint Committee

1.    formally endorse the draft plan as a guiding document to the activities and objectives for Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington and Marketing Cheshire to be delivered during 2024-25, and to delegate to the board of ECW and MC the authority to deliver the activities described within the plan.

2.    note that Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington and Marketing Cheshire will present a more detailed delivery plan and objectives for 2024-25 at a future meeting of the Joint Committee and progress reports throughout the year.

3.    note that Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington and Marketing Chehsire together will operate to a balanced financial position for the year 2024-25.

4.    approve that Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington can, as required by the Department for Education submit bids for additional grant funding in relation to the delivery of the Skills Bootcamps programme, provided that this is agreed by the Accountable Body acting by its S151 officer.

To agree the Terms of Reference for the Business Advisory Board.

The Joint Committee considered a report on the Terms of Reference for the Business Advisory Board.

An amendment was proposed to the Membership in Appendix A, to allow “3 – 5 members from Business Representative Organisations”.

This amendment was seconded and on being put to the vote declared carried.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Joint Committee

1.    Approve the formation of the Business Advisory Board on the terms outlined in this report.

2.    adopt the proposed Terms of Reference for the Business Advisory Board attached at Appendix A.

3.    start the process of recruiting the members of the Business Advisory Board and that officers consult with the Chair of the Joint Committee on the role descriptions for the BAB Chair and members.

4.    agree the appointments to the Business Advisory Board at its next meeting.

5.    the Chair of the Business Advisory Group be invited to attend the Joint Committee.

2.30 pm - 6 June 2024  Venue; Cheshire West and Chester

2.00 pm - 22 August 2024  Venue: Warrington

2.00 pm - 10 October 2024  Venue: Cheshire East

3.30 pm - 3 December 2024  Venue: Cheshire West and Chester

2.30 pm - 13 February 2025  Venue: Warrington

2.00 pm - 10 April 2025  Venue: Cheshire East

RESOLVED:

That the following dates and times be approved for the subsequent meetings of the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee:

·         2.00 pm - 10 October 2024 Venue: Cheshire East

·         3.30 pm - 3 December 2024 Venue: Cheshire West and Chester

·         2.30 pm - 13 February 2025 Venue: Warrington

·         2.00 pm - 10 April 2025 Venue: Cheshire East

Members would be consulted on revised dates for the June and August 2024 meetings in due course.