Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Chief Executive seeking support for the establishment of formal joint governance arrangements for economic development and strategic planning and infrastructure project management and delivery for the Greater Exeter area to ensure that this functional economic area ‘punches its weight’ regionally and nationally.

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Chief Executive seeking support for the establishment of formal joint governance arrangements for economic development and strategic planning and infrastructure project management and delivery for the Greater Exeter area to ensure that this functional economic area ‘punches its weight’ regionally and nationally.

The Leader outlined the contents of the report stating that agreement was being sought in principle and whether or not the devolution proposals lead to a new relationship on planning and economic development matters across the LEP geography, there was a need for a formal body that had the advantages of acting as a single organisation with one strategy, plan and decision making process bringing together direction, commitment, effort and resources to remove duplication and address major strategic issues affecting the functional economic area.

Consideration was given to:

·         Whether there wold be a role for scrutiny

·         The need for joint governance to be open and transparent

·         The work of the Partnership Working Group

·         Development difficulties in the Exeter area

·         Queries as to why Devon County Council were not involved

RESOLVED that:

a) The principle of the setting up of the proposed Greater Exeter Growth and Development Board together with local authorities covering the Greater Exeter functional economic area, namely East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council be approved. The Board will be a Joint Committee under s101 (5), 102 Local Government Act 1972 and s9EB Local Government Act 2000 and pursuant to the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012.

b) Devon County Council had been asked to support this, but was not yet prepared to do so be NOTED.

c) It be noted that further detailed reports would be brought to Cabinet and/or full Council as appropriate on:

·         The terms of reference and rules of procedure of the joint committee (Greater Exeter Growth and Development Board)

·         The required amendments to the Constitution once the Terms of Reference have been agreed and approved by each Council

·         Any future decisions on the creation of delivery vehicles

·         Any funding decisions

(Proposed by  the Chairman)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.