CREWE TOWN BOARD TERMS OF REFERENCE
1.
Key Objectives of the Crewe Town
Board
The primary objective of the town board is to
provide oversight and scrutiny of the Town Investment Plan and the
subsequent Town Deal for Crewe.
The role of the Board is advisory to Cheshire East
Council and it is to:
·
Develop an evidenced based Town Investment Plan
·
Develop a clear programme of
interventions
·
Provide oversight and scrutiny of this programme,
and
·
Coordinate resources and influence
stakeholders
In addition, the Board will:
·
Build on the Crewe regeneration framework and the
town investment plan to inform a vision and strategy to secure the
long term economic, physical, environmental, cultural, and social
development of Crewe.
·
Inform an action plan, which includes the short and
medium-term actions required to deliver the Vision and
Strategy.
·
Inform any key investment and funding decision to be
taken by any individual stakeholder in the town.
2.
Main responsibilities of the Crewe Town
Board
·
Inform the long-term vision, strategy and plan for
Crewe.
·
Review and advise on any partner strategies and
plans that relate to economic, physical and social development in
Crewe.
·
Consider and advise on funding applications that
support the key objectives of the Board.
·
Influence new proposals so that they maximise their
contribution to the key objectives of the Board.
·
Influence the development and delivery of
sub-regional and national policies and programmes that have a
bearing on the key objectives.
·
Work with partners to promote and market the town to
residents, partners, businesses, inward investors and visitors
(existing and potential).
·
Build and maintain strong effective relationships
with key local, sub-regional and national stakeholders to help
secure further investment and ensure a positive impression of the
town.
·
Ensure appropriate engagement arrangements are in
place with all stakeholders.
·
Specifically, to ensure the voice of all groups is
fed into the vision and its strategy and delivery e.g., young
people, vulnerable groups, people from ethnic minority backgrounds
(current govt guidance, see:
https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/writing-about-ethnicity).
3.
Scope
3.1
The focus of the Board will be on the urban areas of
Crewe. However, in some instances it may be appropriate to consider
Crewe as having a wider economic geography extending across south
Cheshire and/or the CW postcodes.
3.2
The Board’s remit shall encompass oversight of
the economic, physical, environmental and social development of
Crewe. For purposes of clarity this should include the
following:
·
Physical development including buildings and
infrastructure.
·
The retention and creation of jobs and increased
productivity through Crewe’s employers.
·
The skills, education, aptitudes, and experiences of
people that live or work in Crewe.
·
The physical built and green environment of
Crewe.
·
The public health and broader welfare of
Crewe’s residents.
4.
Membership
4.1.
The Board will comprise up to 17 members, reflecting
the different types of stakeholders required to support effective
working whilst representing the different interests of the town.
These will include the MP for Crewe & Nantwich and
representatives from Cheshire East Council, Crewe Town Council and
Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.
4.2.
Organisations represented on the Board will
determine and review their own appointments in accordance with
their internal arrangements.
4.3.
Individual members of the Board will be responsible
for the induction of new members as appropriate.
5.
Chair and Vice Chair
5.1.
The Chair and Vice-Chair will, unless otherwise
agreed, be elected for a period of three years but this will be
reviewed annually by the Board.
5.2.
The annual review by the Board for the Chair and
Vice Chair review will follow this process:
5.2.1.
The current Chair will email the Board on an annual
review basis to ask if anyone wishes to put themselves forward as
Chair or Vice Chair and if the current elected representatives are happy to
continue in their roles.
5.2.2.
Should further nominations be received for either
positions, this will result in an anonymous vote by the Board
conducted by either the current Chair or Vice-Chair, dependant on
the role being considered.
5.2.3.
The Chair or Vice-Chair will collate the votes and
communicate the results.
5.2.4.
The Chair or Vice-Chair elected will take up their
position upon announcement of the outcome.
5.3.
The Chair should normally be a private sector
representative.
5.4.
The Vice-Chair may be from any sector.
5.5.
If the Chair resigns or is otherwise unable to
continue in office, the Vice-Chair will perform the functions of
the Chair until the Board has elected a new Chair.
5.6.
Similarly, if the Vice-Chair is unable to continue
in office, the Chair will prompt an election for a new
Vice-Chair.
6.
Lead Authority and Accountable Body
Arrangements
6.1.
Cheshire East Council will be the Lead Authority and
will carry out the role of Accountable Body for the Towns
Fund.
6.2.
Cheshire East Council will take responsibility for
ensuring that decisions are made by the Town Deal Board in
accordance with good governance principles.
6.3.
The Board will provide an annual update to the
accountable body on the work of the Board and progress that is
being made by projects.
7.
Secretariat
7.1.
Cheshire East Council will provide secretariat
support for the meetings of the Board.
7.2.
The Executive Director of Place or the Director of
Growth and Enterprise of Cheshire East Council will act as
Secretary of the Board for the purpose of co-ordinating advice to
the Board.
7.3.
The Head of Democratic Services and Governance of
Cheshire East Council will be responsible for providing secretariat
support for the Board.
7.4.
The Director of Finance and Customer Service, as
Section 151 Officer, will sign off project business cases and
summaries to be submitted to the government for projects final
assessments.
7.5.
The S151 officer will also provide government with a
comprehensive set of data relating to each Town Deal project,
including both total and forecast spend, and output metrics in line
with the Towns Fund guidance, agendas and reports will be published
at least five clear working days in advance of a meeting and sent
to all members of the Board.
7.6.
Agendas, reports and minutes will be published on
the Council’s website, and will be publicly accessible
documents, subject to the requirements of
confidentiality.
8.
Board Meetings
8.1.
To be quorate, two thirds of members must be
present, of which two must be from the private sector. No decisions
may be taken by the Board if a meeting is inquorate.
8.2.
Substitute members at a meeting will not be
permitted. NOTE – substitutes do not provide good continuity
of oversight and do not demonstrate best practice as substitution
is habit forming.
8.3.
Meetings are to be held at least four times per
year.
8.4.
Minutes of the meeting will focus on actions rather
than provide a record of all discussion points
8.5.
The Board may invite appropriate
organisations/individuals to give presentations on priority
issues
8.6.
At every meeting, the Chair will confirm: all
decisions taken; actions agreed; and media messages.
8.7.
Where a decision is required, the Board will try to
reach a consensus view. Where this is not possible, there will be a
vote. Each member of the Board will have one vote and matters will
be determined by a simple majority of those present at the meeting.
In the case of an equality of voting, the Chair shall have a second
or casting vote.
8.8.
A matter needing board approval can be considered by
exception by correspondence if the matter is time critical. Most of
the Board will have to approve the matter and copies of emails
confirming the position and any comments will be kept by the
Secretariat. The matter will then need to be formally ratified at
the next board meeting and minuted.
8.9.
The Board will make its governance structures,
profiles on key stakeholders, meeting agendas and minutes (in
accordance with the Local Government Act 1972) evidence and any
supporting documents for Town Investment Plans publicly available
(e.g. through the website of Cheshire East Council).
8.10.
Where is it necessary for a matter to be dealt with
in confidence, all relevant papers will be marked as confidential
and shall not be disclosed outside the Board.
9.
Declarations of Interest and Conduct of Members
of the Board
9.1.
Members must declare a personal, pecuniary,
prejudicial or other interest in any matter under discussion at a
meeting and this must be recorded in the minutes of the
meeting.
9.2.
Declaration includes stating the nature of the
interest.
9.3.
Where a pecuniary or prejudicial interest is
declared, the member in question must absent themselves from the
meeting for that item and take no part in the discussion or
voting.
9.4.
Elected members of Cheshire East Council who sit on
the Board are bound by the Council’s Member Code of
Conduct.
9.5.
The Board will establish a register of interests to
be completed by all members of the Board. The register will be
maintained by the Lead Authority.
9.6.
All members of the Board are expected to adhere to
the Nolan Principles: The Seven Principles of Public
Life:
9.6.1.
Selflessness
9.6.2.
Integrity
9.6.3.
Objectivity
9.6.4.
Accountability
9.6.5.
Openness
9.6.6.
Honesty
9.6.7.
Leadership
10. Changes to the Terms of Reference
10.1.
These terms of reference will be reviewed annually
or sooner if deemed appropriate.
10.2.
Any changes to the terms of reference must be
approved by a majority of the Board’s membership.