Lead Member – Mr Steve Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e and Commissioning (North)

Report of the Head of Business Growth and Prosperity is attached marked 14.

Contact – Andy Evans (01743 253869)

(a)  That approval be given to the establishment of a Marches LEP Joint Committee called The Marches Enterprise Joint Executive Committee and the list of executive functions (as set out in paragraph 13 of the proposed Constitution at Appendix 1) that the Committee can exercise on behalf of Shropshire Council for LEP decision.

(b)  That the proposed constitution for the Marches Enterprise Joint Executive Committee as attached as Appendix 1 be approved and that Shropshire’s voting Member be the Leader of the Council, or the Portfolio Holder for Business Growth and Commissioning (North) or a substitute from the Cabinet.

(c)  That Shropshire Council be the employing body for the new LEP team following earlier approval at 15 January 2014 Cabinet of Shropshire Council as Accountable Body for the LEP.

(d)  That the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity be the Council’s representative on the Marches LEP Enterprise Zone Company Members Board.

29.1    The Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e and Commissioning (North) presented a report by the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity – copy attached to the signed minutes – on important governance, human resources and organisational changes required by the Marches LEP to ensure that it was fit for purpose.  It also covered the funding awarded by Central Government to the Marches LEP under the Local Growth Fund as a result of the bid submitted in March 2014. In addition the report proposed the establishment of a joint committee to exercise joint executive functions for decisions at the Marches LEP Board.  Finally the report referred to the recently announced Marches Growth Deal and Government commitment to Local Growth Funding for projects in the Marches.  (See Minute 33 below.)

29.2    RESOLVED:

(a)  That approval be given to the establishment of a Marches LEP Joint Committee called The Marches Enterprise Joint Executive Committee and the list of executive functions (as set out in paragraph 13 of the proposed Constitution at Appendix 1) that the Committee can exercise on behalf of Shropshire Council for LEP decision.

(b)  That the proposed constitution for the Marches Enterprise Joint Executive Committee as attached as Appendix 1 be approved and that Shropshire’s voting Member be the Leader of the Council, or the Portfolio Holder for Business Growth and Commissioning (North) or a substitute from the Cabinet.

(c)  That Shropshire Council be the employing body for the new LEP team following earlier approval at 15 January 2014 Cabinet of Shropshire Council as Accountable Body for the LEP.

(d)  That the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity be the Council’s representative on the Marches LEP Enterprise Zone Company Members Board.