Purpose

To consider approving the Council’s
participation and support for future functions previously
undertaken by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership
(SEMLEP).

Content

1.         That in
respect of existing Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
arrangements, and in line with corresponding decisions of the other
Central Area Growth Board Member Councils, that the following be
agreed from 1 April 2024:
(a)        assets,
rights, loans and liabilities of SEMLEP (relating to the
functions of the Growth Hub, Careers Hub and Strategic Economic
planning) be transferred to West Northamptonshire Council;
and
(b)       relevant SEMLEP
staff be transferred in accordance with TUPE regulations to WNC who
will be responsible for any liabilities in relation to staff from
the former LEP. 

2.         That
West Northamptonshire Council be the host authority and accountable
body for the delivery of services previously hosted by the LEP
(inclusive of the relevant funding and liabilities) and accordingly
that:
(a)        the Draft
Heads of Terms for inter authority agreement (attached as an Annex
to the report) be noted;
(b)       the Council will
enter into an agreement with West Northamptonshire Council in
relation to the delivery of the inherited services, the funding and
liabilities (with the intention that there will be no cost to
Milton Keynes City Council); and
(c)       
authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and
Placemaking, in consultation with the Leader of the Council,
Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer, to finalise arrangements for the integration of the
LEP functions, including agreement of the Heads of Terms and
completion of the inter authority agreement with the other Growth
Board member Councils.  

3.         That
Milton Keynes City Council, as part of the Central Area Growth
Board, retain responsibility for the strategic direction of the
former LEP responsibilities, in so far as they relate to Milton
Keynes, including the growth hub, careers hub, strategic economic
planning and any future specific government future programmes directed through the host authority, but
that the Council agrees that West Northamptonshire Council deliver
these functions and services on Milton Keynes City Council’s
behalf.