Agenda item

(Led by: Ben Still, Author: Jon Skinner)

The Board considered a report of the Managing Director on the proposed geographical footprint of the LEP, the position on leadership, capacity, accountability and performance in order to respond to the issues raised in the Government’s ‘Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships’ document.

A review of LEPs was announced in the Industrial Strategy White Paper in November 2017 and its findings published in July 2018.  Engagement had been carried out with local authorities, business groups and others and the Chair thanked Councillor Blake who had been involved in that process.  A summary of the review’s recommendations was attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

Members discussed the review and the Leeds City Region LEP’s proposed response to the recommendations with particular emphasis on the Government’s questions in respect of the geographic footprint of LEPs. It was reported that the views of businesses via the Business Communications Group, advisory panels and through a public engagement exercise had been sought and discussions had been held with partners including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The Board was advised that several LEPs may put forward proposals to retain their current footprint. In this respect, Councillor Lee advised the Board that this had been discussed in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding and, recognising the current successful ways of working, they were going to propose that they retained their status quo (ie. with overlaps).

After debate the Board supported the recommendations and agreed that to retain the status quo was not an option at the present time.  The Chair advised the Board that Bob Cryan had sent his apologies for the meeting but was fully supportive of the proposal for a wider geography as he believed it has the best interests of the region at heart.

It was considered important to put forward a strong proposal that complies with the Government’s requirements as a preferred option and to continue discussions with North Yorkshire regarding their concerns for the wider geography.  It was however recognised that the Leeds City Region LEP did work well within its current geography and it was suggested that a caveat be included in the response to Government indicating a willingness to reconsider the geographical footprint if retaining the status quo become an option in the future. 

The following recommendations were agreed unanimously, although North Yorkshire wished to note their preference towards a status quo option.

Resolved:

(i)         That the ‘Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships’, the culmination

of Government’s LEP Review and its links with activity on local industrial strategies and the emerging UK Shared Prosperity Fund be noted.

(ii)        That the City Region’s position on matters of leadership, capacity, accountability and performance as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report be endorsed.

(iii)       That the LEP Board agrees its preferred option on geography, as set out in paragraph 2.10 of the submitted report, but with a caveat that the Leeds City Region LEP would wish to review the position if the rules in respect of overlapping geography change and delegates authority to the LEP Chair to respond to the Government by 28 September 2018.

(iv)       That the LEP Board delegates authority to the LEP Chair to respond to Government, including on the full implementation plan for a new LEP by 31 October 2018.