Agenda item

(Led by: Caroline Allen, Authors: Katie McLean & Liz Davenport)

The Board considered a report of the Directors of Corporate Services and Policy, Strategy and Communications on governance arrangements which:

 

·         Sought agreement on the future appointment of the LEP Chair and Board appointments

·         Sought approval to amendments to governance arrangements of the LEP and LEP governance documents.

 

Members noted the proposals in respect of the LEP Chair including the process for recruiting to the position. Roger Marsh took no part in the consideration of the proposal.  It was agreed that the current Chair’s term of office be extended for a period of up to two years to the Annual Meeting 2022.  This would be subject to a review in 2021 in accordance with Terms of Reference which will be prepared by the Chief Executive of the LEP for approval by the LEP Board

 

In respect of LEP Board membership, it was noted that that the following members have stepped down from the Board:

 

·         Professor Bob Cryan

·         Professor Adam Beaumont

 

It was noted that Nicola Greenan, who had been the LEP’s Diversity Champion for the LEP and a member of the Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel had also stepped down earlier in the year. 

 

In the absence of Adam Beaumont, the Board asked that their thanks be recorded for the role he had played during his term of office, particularly in respect of the digital agenda.

 

On behalf of the Board, the Chair paid tribute to Bob Cryan who had been a Member of the LEP Board since 2013 and had also deputised for the Chair as substitute Member of the Combined Authority. He thanked him for his valuable contributions to a wide range of the LEP’s activities and the guidance and support he had given. In response, Bob Cryan said he felt proud and privileged to have been a part of the LEP and all its achievements and he thanked the Board for their comments and good wishes.

 

The Appointments Panel had recently met and were recommending that membership of the Board consist of 18 members (13 private sector, 5 public sector).  This ensures the LEP meets government requirements,

 

In order to meet the recommendations, it was agreed that the following members terms, which are due to expire on 31 March 2020, be extended:

 

·         Rashik Parmar with a proposal that his term be extended for a further two years to April 2022.

·         Mark Roberts with a proposal that his term is extended for two years to June 2022, with an option of two further consecutive terms.

·         Joanna Robinson with a proposal that her term is extended initially for a year to April 2021.

·         Andrew Wright with a proposal that his term is extended for a further three years, to April 2023.

 

It was also agreed that the following private sector representatives be appointed to the LEP Board for a term of three years, with an optional two consecutive terms:

 

·         Professor Shirley Congdon

·         Kully Thiarai

·         Kamran Rashid

·         Helen Featherstone

·         Simon Pringle

 

It was also agreed to extend an invitation to the Leaders of City of York Council and Harrogate District Council to attend Board meetings as observers with the latter representing the interests of Craven District Council and Selby District Council. 

 

It was recognised that business groups played a key role in supporting business growth in the region. It was reported that an approach has been made to business representative groups to seek a nomination to the Board as a co-optee to support the LEP’s agenda and core priorities.  This would be on a one year basis and any appointment would be made at the LEP’s annual meeting.

 

Details of the membership and appointments were provided in in Appendix 1 which was circulated at the meeting.  The changes to the LEP membership arrangements will take effect when the geographic area of the LEP changes on 31 March 2020.

 

In respect of the LEP Deputy Chair, it was considered appropriate to now appoint a private sector representative which had been identified as best practice by the National Assurance Framework.  Expressions of Interest for the role had been sought from existing private sector members and the Board agreed that Mark Roberts be appointed to the position and also nominate him to act as a substitute for the LEP Member appointed to the Combined Authority.

 

It was agreed that Kate Hainsworth be appointed to the vacant role of Diversity Champion with immediate effect and Joanna Robinson would continue in the role of SME Champion.

 

It was noted that the LEP’s governance documents will need to be amended to reflect the revised LEP geography and other governance changes required by the National Assurance Framework relating to membership with effect from 31 March 2020.  The proposed amendments to the documents, which were attached at Appendices 2 – 5, were set out in the submitted report. 

 

Members noted the proposed change to the private sector LEP Board membership on the Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel (IGPPP) which was outlined in the submitted report. The Board recommended that Kate Hainsworth fill the vacancy on the IGPPP and this would be considered by the Combined Authority at their next meeting.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)         That the current Chair’s term of office is extended for a period of up to two years to the Annual Meeting 2022, subject to a review in 2021 in accordance with Terms of Reference, to be prepared by the Chief Executive of the LEP and agreed by the Board.  

 

(ii)        That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive of the LEP to undertake a review of the Chair’s role profile and remuneration as part of the recruitment process at an appropriate time as set out in the submitted report. 

 

(iii)      That the Board make up as set out at paragraph 2.19 of the submitted report be agreed.

 

(iv)       That extension to the following members terms, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report be agreed:

 

·         Rashik Parmar’s term be extended for a further two years to April 2022.

·         Mark Roberts’ term is extended for two years to June 2022, with an option of two further consecutive terms.

·         Joanna Robinson’s term is extended initially for a year to April 2021.

·         Andrew Wright’s term is extended for a further three years, to April 2023.

 

(v)       That the following appointments be made for a term of three years, with an optional two consecutive terms:

 

·         Professor Shirley Congdon

·         Helen Featherstone

·         Professor Simon Pringle

·         Kamran Rashid

·         Kully Thiarai

 

(vi)      That the option to appoint a co-optee from business representative organisations on a one year basis to support the LEP’s agenda and core priorities be agreed. Any appointment will be made at the LEP’s Annual Meeting.

 

(vii)     That the Leaders of Harrogate and York Councils be invited to attend future meetings. 

 

(viii)    That Mark Roberts be appointed as a Private Sector Deputy Chair with effect from 31 March 2020, and nominated to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, as the substitute LEP Member on the Combined Authority.

 

(ix)      That Kate Hainsworth be appointed as Diversity Champion with immediate effect.

 

(x)       That amendments to the following LEP governance documents as set out in the relevant appendices, be approved with effect from 31 March 2020:

 

·         Appendix 1 – LEP Board membership (tabled at the meeting)

·         Appendix 2 - LEP Constitution

·         Appendix 3 - LEP Procedure Rules

·         Appendix 4 – Recruitment and Appointment Procedure for Private Sector Representatives

·         Appendix 5 – LEP Equality and Diversity Policy and Statement

 

(xi)       That the Board recommend to the Combined Authority the appointment of LEP Board member, Kate Hainsworth, to the Inclusive Growth & Public Policy Panel.