To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor M Pate.

To receive details of any Executive Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of the voting Member representing their Authority.

Councillor S Charmley substituted for Councillor M Pate.

To receive any declarations of interest by members of the Committee in respect of items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2016.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To set out the case for the Marches LEP becoming a “Non-Constituent” Member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the potential long term economic growth benefits to the Marches LEP in so doing.

The Committee considered a report setting out the case for the Marches LEP becoming a “Non-Constituent” Member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the potential long term economic growth benefits to the Marches LEP in so doing.

RESOLVED:

That:     (a)     the Marches LEP applies to become a Non-Constituent Member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) at a cost of £25k for 2016/17; and

(b)             the Chair of the Marches LEP, or his nominated substitute, be authorised to represent the LEP at the WMCA board and sub-groups as appropriate as a non-constituent member.

To agree the bid for funding support from the local growth fund to support economic growth across the Marches.

 (The public and press were not excluded during consideration of this item.)

The Committee was invited to agree the bid for funding support from the local growth fund to support economic growth across the Marches.

The report stated that KPMG had appraised and prioritised the Marches long list of projects in accordance with key government criteria.  The LEP Board had considered this list and agreed that all projects with a positive appraisal score be put forward.  There were two additional projects which the Board felt could be improved further so more time had been given to those project promoters.  Those two projects were to be further appraised by KPMG.

The Marches LEP Director reported that KPMG’s assessment of the two projects in question was due to be received shortly.  It was detailed in appendix 2 to the report that if the two schemes received a positive appraisal score they would remain within the submission.  If the appraisal score was negative they would not proceed and would be deleted from appendix 2. The LEP Board would be informed accordingly.

RESOLVED:  That the prioritised project list attached at Appendix 2 to the report be approved for the New Growth Deal submission to Government by 28th July 2016.