Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:

The Leader of the Council attends the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the residual Board of Cambridgeshire Horizons and the Cambridge Community Safety Partnership. It is part of a commitment given in the Council’s “Principles of Partnership Working” that the Council’s lead member in each partnership provide his or her scrutiny committee with an annual account of their work.

Decision of the Leader:

The Leader resolved to:

        i.            Continue to work with the partnerships (LEP and Cambridge Community Safety Partnership) to ensure that the strategic issues affecting Cambridge and matters of concern to Cambridge citizens are responded to. This includes maintaining the economic success of our area, whilst respecting its unique character, and continuing to address and prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime.

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from Head of Corporate Strategy.

In response to a question from Councillor Ashton the Director of Environment confirmed the following:

        i.            Horizons had a number of loans and investments totalling over £20m. Whilst none had to date, this should return to the partnership over the next 13 years. Further detail was available to members on request.

In response to a question from Councillor Herbert the Leader confirmed the following:

        i.            Whilst, when he first joined the LEP it was in a state of flux and lacked direction, a new Chair was now in post. 

      ii.            The funds generated by the Enterprise Zone were not likely to be returned to the LEP in the short to medium term. 

    iii.            The LEP One-Year Operational Plan (2010/13) was in the process of being replaced.

   iv.            Consultation on a business prospectus had been completed, and the Leader felt that the success of the LEP was dependent on how realistic and achievable this prospectus was.

The Scrutiny Committee considered and endorsed the recommendations by 4 votes to 0.

The Leader approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.