Issue - meetings

To consider South Holland District Council becoming a member of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership Company (report of the Economic Development Manager is enclosed).

Members considered a report by the Economic Development Manager seeking approval for South Holland District Council to become a member of the Greater Lincolnshire Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) Company.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Economic Partnership (GLLEP) was one of 39 business led public/private sector partnerships that was set by Government as a result of the Heseltine Review. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were expected to deliver growth by:

·         Setting strategic objective – The Strategic Economic Plan (SEP)

·         Coordinating delivery partnerships and

·         Administering growth related funding programmes

The GLLEP has now incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee.  This was primarily to give the GLLEP a legal status; to give directors protection and limit their liability and reputational risk, and to allow the LEP to act in this capacity, by developing funding bids in their own right.

There would be around 20 to 30 organisations that would be invited to become the initial members of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Limited Company. The districts would be involved in the company as members. The liabilities and risk for members are quite limited compared to the Directors and was normal in companies limited by guarantee.

DECISION:

1.    That the Council signs up as a District member of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee; and

2.    That Councillor Nick Worth, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society be the District’s representative for the GLEEP company.