Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 12, 2024

Purpose: At the meeting of 30th May 2024 the Solent Upper Tier Local Authority Board ('SUTLAB') resolved to no longer use Solent Partners Ltd (SP), and its current governance structure, as a delivery vehicle for previous functions of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) including the management of ongoing contracts. This report, therefore, identifies the functions, contracts, and programmes to be delivered, and seeks approval for these to be transferred to enable delivery from within an 'in-house' team hosted by Portsmouth City Council (PCC) on behalf of the partnership of IoWC, PCC and SCC. Specifically, delegated approval is being sought by the Leader for the following: Agree that the Leader of the Council should have delegated responsibility to make decisions on behalf of Portsmouth City Council at the Solent Growth Partnership in line with the terms of reference for the Solent Growth Partnership. The February Cabinet report referenced the Joint Upper Tier Local Authority Board. This is now called the Solent Growth Partnership (SGP). This report is seeking delegated authority to be given to the Leader of the Council to fulfil the role required in these terms of reference and so that the Leader can make decisions to support the driving of economic growth to the Solent region.

Content: That Cabinet;          I.          Note the update contained within this report, and        II.          Support and note that the Leader of the Council is appointed to the Solent Growth Partnership and that he has statutory executive authority in future to make capital and revenue spending decisions, to invest in economic growth for the three Unitary Authority areas subject to existing budget or policy frameworks, subject to financial approval of the section 151 Officer of Portsmouth City Council acting as the Accountable Body for the Solent Growth Partnership, and in line with the Terms of Reference for the Solent Growth Partnership attached at Appendix 1.      III.          Further note that future decisions will be subject to existing Council decision-making requirements.