Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of the transfer of the Local Enterprise Partnership functions to Local Authority Control

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the report and made recommendations to Council, as set out on page 677 and 678 of the agenda pack.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded.  During the debate an amendment was proposed and seconded.

Amendment

“Thatthis paperis deferreduntil electedmembers havebeen appropriately appraised of the wider sub-regional implications of these proposals.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1.             agree the retention of the partnership approach between Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in respect of sub-regional functions.

2.             agree that Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (including Marketing Cheshire) functions should continue to be delivered by a Company jointly owned by all three Councils, based on the business case set out in Appendix A to the report.

3.             agree to set up a Joint Committee by 1 April 2024 with Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B to the report.

4.             agree that a Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board be created to ensure a continued influential business voice in sub-regional economic strategy and priorities following the end of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Board. Terms of Reference be agreed by the Joint Committee.

5.             that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Growth, in conjunction with the Council’s Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to effect non-material changes to the proposed changes to the Articles of Association of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership as referenced in Appendix C to the report.

6.             recommend to the Joint Committee that they then make changes to the Articles of Association and that the name of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership be changed to Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington.

7.             agree the findings of the due diligence report undertaken and set out in Appendix D, including finances, risks and liabilities that the Council will incur in respect of LEPCo.

8.             recommend to the Joint Committee that when established, one officer from Cheshire East Council, with appropriate corporate skills and experience is appointed as a Director of LEPCo. That the officer is identified through consultation with the Council’s Monitoring Officer, Place Director and Section 151 Officer.

9.             agree to enter into a Service Agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Council and LEPCo on the terms set out in Appendix E to the report, and to delegate final approval of the terms of the Service Agreement to the Director of Governance and Compliance in consultation with the Place Director and S151 Officer.

10.          recommend the Business Plan of the LEPCo to the Joint Committee as set out at Appendix F to the report.

11.          agree that Cheshire East Council should continue to be the Accountable Body for the purposes of funding, and that the Director of Governance and Compliance be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Collaboration Agreement.

12.          agree that the Council’s Monitoring Officer be given the authority to make any consequential changes to the Council Constitution to give effect to these recommendations.