Agenda and decisions

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.

1.         That the public and press be excluded from the meeting by virtue of Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person [including the authority holding that information]) of Part I of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972, in order the meeting may consider the exempt Annex to the report.

2.         That a further extension to the operating period of the trial for both operators, Tier and Lime, until May 2026 in line with the Government’s request, be approved.

3.         That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Highways and Transport to:

(a)        agree an appropriate expansion of fleet size not exceeding 100% (to be negotiated with current operator Lime) to meet the current identified unmet demand for trips; and

(b)       negotiate and agree that additional controls for parking, speeding and safety be introduced for specific areas, in exchange for the increases in fleet size above.