Issue - items at meetings - Strategic Economic Framework

(Lead Member: Roger Marsh, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved:

(a) That the Combined Authority endorse and adopt the concept and content of the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) and welcome the launch of the SEF as the new overarching economic framework for the region’s policies and strategies.

(b) That the draft text setting out the vision for West Yorkshire, attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

(c) That the Combined Authority agree that the SEP expires at the end of March 2021, and continues to be used for Growth Deal programmes until then.

(d) That the Combined Authority agree to the intention for future policies, strategies and changes to the SEF to be brought to the advisory panels, LEP Board and Combined Authority for consideration as appropriate.

(e) That regular reviews and updates on the SEF be brought back to the Combined Authority every six months and that future reports on policies indicate whether a consequential change is required to the SEF.

(f) That further detail on proposed indicators for individual policy areas be brought to future meetings.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Policy Strategy and Communications on the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF).

It was noted that since 2016, the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) has set out the Authority’s priorities for growth and development and will continue to be used for Growth Deal programmes until it ends in March 2021. Members were advised that the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) has now been developed to reflect the growing range of policy areas that the Combined Authority operates in, changing national political and economic circumstances and the need to incorporate the future mayor’s manifesto commitments.

Members discussed the SEF which will form the new overarching economic strategy for the region, setting out the vision and priorities for achieving this. The SEF will be a digital document with five sections: Our Vision, Our Priorities, Our Policies and Strategies, Our Partnerships, and Monitoring and Impact and details were outlined in the submitted report.

The SEF will inform the production of the Single Investment Fund strategy and the updated Assurance Framework. The Combined Authority endorsed the SEF and it was proposed that it be formally reviewed every six months. Any new policies, strategies or major amendments will be considered by the Combined Authority following consideration by the appropriate advisory panel.