SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
This
paper recommends nomination of an additional member of the Executive to serve
on the Board of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (IWEP).
BACKGROUND
2.
The
Board of IWEP has seven Directors and a President. Of these seven, three are nominated by the business community,
one by the voluntary sector and three by the Isle of Wight Council.
3.
The
Isle of Wight Council nominees are currently Councillor Shirley Smart,
Councillor Harry Rees and Alan Kaye.
Alan Kaye has tended his resignation since he has left the Council
service and, therefore, there is a vacancy on the Board for one Council
nominated Director.
4.
This
decision has not appeared in the Forward Plan.
Whilst the need to plan for Alan Kaye’s replacement has been known, it
is only since his departure that the issues relating to the identity of his
replacement have been clarified between the new Head of Paid Service and
members of the Executive.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
5.
IWEP
is the agency responsible for co-ordinating economic development and
regeneration on the Island. As such it is a key partner in developing and
delivering the community strategy. The
Partnership is in the process of agreeing a Service Level Agreement to deliver
key components of the Economic Development Regeneration Agenda in return for
funds from the Council.
CONSULTATION
6.
The
appointment is an Executive function and is a matter entirely for the Executive
discretion. No consultation has been
undertaken outside of the Council.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
7.
The
recommendation will incur no identifiable additional cost.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
8.
The
constitutional necessity to have Council nominees is in the context of the
community planning framework established by Part 1 Local Government Act 2000.
9.
Whilst
the appointment is an Executive function the Economic Partnership does not
itself discharge any Executive function.
The appointment can therefore by of an officer, a Member of the
Executive or a non Executive Member.
10.
As
Directors the nominees have responsibilities solely to the Economic
Partnership. There is no mandate for
the Local Authority.
OPTIONS
11.
The
Executive is required to make a third appointment and this may be of :
(a)
An
officer
(b)
A
member of the Executive
(c)
A
non Executive Member
EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT
12.
IWEP
is a key driver and delivery agent for the Community Strategy and the Economic
Development and Regeneration Agendas.
As such its work is informed by, informs and is closely related to the
work of the Executive of the Local Authority.
It is therefore suggested that a third Executive Member be appointed as
Director.
13.
Officers
of the Local Authority have many interfaces with the Partnership and those who
serve on it. It is possible that an
officer would find irreconcilable conflicts of interest more often than an
Executive member.
14.
The
appointment of an officer would add relatively little strength to the
Partnership working between IWEP and the Council. Having a third Executive Member would significantly strengthen
the political engagement with the Partnership.
The appointment of a non Executive Member is lawful but would similarly
miss the opportunity to engage a third Portfolio Holder in the work of the
Partnership.
|
RECOMMENDATIONS 15.
It is recommended that an additional Member of the Executive be
nominated to the Board of IWEP. |
BACKGROUND PAPERS
16.
Constitution
of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership.
Contact Point : Mike Fisher, ( 823102,
e-mail: [email protected]
|
M
J A FISHER Head of Paid Service |
S A SMART Leader of the Council |