To approve governance arrangements for the joint exercise of executive functions in relation to the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (the LEP).

THAT:

(a)       the establishment of a joint committee to exercise executive functions in relation to the Marches LEP be approved;

(b)         The proposed constitution for the joint committee, as outlined at appendix A, be approved; and

(c)         Herefordshire Council provide governance support for the LEP joint arrangements.

To ensure efficiency, openness, and transparency of decision-making in relation to the LEP.

Executive decisions could continue to be taken, as currently, by each council separately through their respective governance processes. This option is not recommended as it adds unnecessary bureaucracy and potential delay to decision-making by duplicating process and crucially does not meet the expectation set nationally that authorities must demonstrate how they are operating together to make best use of shared resources and act collectively in the best interests of the LEP area.