Agenda item

(Led by: Angela Taylor, Author: Caroline Allen)

The Board considered a report of the Director, Corporate Services on governance arrangements which:

·       Advised the LEP Board of changes to Leeds City Council’s LEP Board member and substitute member.

·       Considered a recommendation to extend both the Board and advisory group term of office of the LEP Board Member, Joanna Robinson.

·       Considered a recommendation to appoint the LEP Board member Mandy Ridyard to the Business Innovation and Growth Panel (or its successor) and to recommend such appointment to the Combined Authority.

·       Provided LEP Board members with the outcome and recommendations of the review of the current LEP Chair’s final year of tenure and proposals for the recruitment of a new Chair.

·       Advised the LEP Board of proposals for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s decision-making arrangements to better reflect the changed role and responsibilities of the Authority following the appointment of a Mayor for West Yorkshire, due to be considered by the Combined Authority at its meeting on 22 April.

Leeds City Council Appointments

It was reported that Councillor James Lewis had replaced Baroness Judith Blake as Leeds City Council’s representative on the LEP Board and Councillor Debra Coupar would replace Councillor James Lewis as the substitute LEP Board member.

Board Membership

It was agreed that Joanna Robinson’s term of office as a LEP Board member and Chair of the advisory Business Communications Group be extended until the LEP Board annual meeting in June 2021.

Advisory Panel Membership

It was reported that following a recent private sector member resignation from the Business Innovation & Growth Panel, expressions of interest had been sought from existing private sector members.  In this respect, it was agreed that the LEP Board recommends to the Combined Authority the appointment of Mandy Ridyard to the Business Innovation & Growth Panel.

LEP Chair Review

Roger Marsh took no part in the consideration of this item. 

The Board considered the full report of the LEP Chair review which was attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report. It was agreed that the Chair remains in post for the remainder of the agreed tenure.  It was noted that whilst there are challenges ahead, there were also opportunities for the LEP to build a more partnership-based approach.  Considering the findings of the LEP Chair Review, it was agreed that the LEP takes a proactive role working with private sector members to engage with the Government’s review of LEPs.  It was agreed that, only after the outcome of the LEP review, work should begin in partnership with local authorities, LEP Board members and wider stakeholders on the scope and role profile for a new LEP Chair, and enhanced engagement from private sector members. 

The Chair thanked the Board for their continued support.

MCA Committee Arrangements

The Board discussed the proposed changes for the Authority’s formal decision-making arrangements which had been agreed by Combined Authority at their meeting held on 22 April 2021. The changes would take effect from the Authority’s annual meeting on 24 June 2021 and the key points were outlined in the submitted report. 

Members expressed their support for further integration between the Combined Authority and the LEP Board but some concerns were raised regarding the loss of a dedicated Inclusive Growth and Policy Panel. The Board was assured that inclusive growth will remain an important key aspect of all the Combined Authority’s work and will continue to be highlighted in reports.

Resolved: 

(i)       That the LEP Board notes Leeds City Council’s changed appointments to the LEP Board.

(ii)       That the LEP Board agrees to extend both the Board and advisory group term of office of Joanna Robinson until the Board’s Annual Meeting in June 2021.

(iii)      That the LEP Board recommends the appointment of Mandy Ridyard to the Business Innovation & Growth Panel (or its successor committee) for consideration by the Combined Authority at its next meeting on 24 June 2021.

(iv)      That the LEP Board agrees that the LEP Chair remains in post for the remainder of the agreed tenure.

(v)      That the LEP Board agrees that the LEP takes a proactive role working with private sector members to engage with the Government’s review of LEPs.

(vi)      That the LEP Board agrees that following the outcome of the Government review, work begins in partnership with local authorities, LEP Board members, and wider stakeholders on the scope and role profile for a new LEP Chair, and enhanced LEP engagement from private sector members.

(vii)     That the LEP Board notes the proposals for changes to the Combined Authority’s decision making arrangements.