1. WLEP Mid-Year Review – 2019/20
FAR Committee
3 September 2019

2. Context
BEIS have outlined plans for Mid-Year Reviews to complement the Annual Performance Review process
HMG guidance has now been finalised and issued
HMG are looking for the Mid-year reviews to be as light touch as possible but to still cover the 3 main areas of Strategy, Governance and Delivery.
HMG won’t be providing indicative ratings at mid-year, although may provide less formal feedback
WLEP mid-year review is scheduled – 11 Sept

3. Areas to Be Covered GOVERNANCE 2018/19: APR Letter and Action Points
LEP Review implementation progress
WLEP Scrutiny arrangements
STRATEGY
LIS Progress / SEP Refresh / Inward Investment
DELIVERY
2019/20: WLEP Annual Delivery Plan
2018/19 Local Growth Fund Delivery Data

4. GOVERNANCE

5. Completion Target Date Completion Target Date
2018/19 APR Actions
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 1
LEP to detail proposals for new approach to business engagement through refreshed Business Board and other mechanisms by April 2019
WLEP
End of July 2019
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 2
LEP to address distributional concerns across the county as part of the LIS development and consultation process – through 2019.
WLEP
Ongoing during 2019

6. Completion Target Date Completion Target Date
2018/19 APR Actions
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 3
BEIS / CLGU to join Programme Review Board for the 5G project from March 2019
WLEP
By March 2019
March 2019
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 4
The LEP to do more post implementation reviews on projects – to ensure lessons are fed back into future programme and to wider partners
WLEP
Ongoing during 2019

7. Completion Target Date Completion Target Date
2018/19 APR Actions
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 5
CLGU recommended that a Programme Delivery Sub-Board structure or similar, which reviews all LEP funded projects and considers the future project pipeline, be put in place for 2019/20 financial year
WLEP
To be completed during 2019/20
March 2019
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 6
LEP to do further work to update and review the project pipeline during 2019
WLEP
Ongoing during 2019

8. Completion Target Date Completion Target Date
2018/19 APR Actions
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 7
LEP to use capacity funding to best effect to support LIS development during 2019 and to put in place a LIS Programme Board in 2019 to deliver this important piece of work
WLEP
Ongoing during 2019
March 2019
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 8
CLGU Area Director to take forward issue on release of remaining funding within CLGU
CLGU Area Director
By mid-March 2019 at latest

9. Completion Target Date Completion Target Date
2018/19 APR Actions
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 9
LEP to ensure maximum use is made of Growth Hub intelligence and ensure that the LEP Board is updated on its activities
WLEP
Ongoing
March 2019
Action #
Action Point
Owner
Completion Target Date
Date Completed
Status 10
LEP to ensure that opportunities for collaboration with other LEPs are explored as part of LIS development, particularly on agritech, medtech as well as their continued work on 5G / cyber
WLEP
Ongoing

10. Completed and published
LEP Review
GEOGRAPHY
Unresolved
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
We expect all Local Enterprise Partnerships will follow best practice within the sector and produce an annual delivery plan and end of year report.
April 2019
Completed and published

11. LEP Review LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Government expects that each Local Enterprise Partnership consults widely and transparently with the business community before appointing a new Chair, and appoints a Deputy Chair.
28 February 2019
This is included as part of WLEP’s LAF which has been approved by FAR Committee and WLEP Board
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
In line with best practice in the private sector, Local Enterprise Partnerships will want to introduce defined term limits for Chairs and Deputy Chairs where these are not currently in place.
28 February 2019
Also included as part of WLEP’s LAF which has been approved by FAR Committee and WLEP Board

12. By end of 2019/20 financial year
LEP Review
LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Government’s aspiration is that Local Enterprise Partnerships work towards strengthening the representation from the private sector, increasing representatives from the private sector so that they form at least two thirds of the board, to ensure that each Local Enterprise Partnership can truly be said to be business-led.
In order to maintain focused board direction and input, Government will work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to establish a maximum permanent board of 20 people, with the option to co-opt an additional five board members with specialist knowledge on a one year basis.
By end of 2019/20 financial year
WLEP undertook recruitment exercise in early 2019 to increase private sector representation.
WLEP Board now comprises a total of 14 members with 10 from the private sector (71%)

13. LEP Review LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Government expects refreshed Local Enterprise Partnership boards to improve their gender balance and representation of those with protected characteristics.
Our aim is for Local Enterprise Partnership boards to have equal representation of men and women by As a step towards achieving this, we will replicate the target set in the Hampton-Alexander Review for FTSE 350 boards; Local Enterprise Partnerships should aim for a minimum of a third women’s representation on their boards by 2020.
One third women by end of 2019/20 financial year
Equal representation of men and women by end of 2022/23 financial year
Target for end of 2019/20 is 5 (4.66 is 33% of 14) women represented on board
Current number is 2
Number reduced following local election changes
WLEP plan to do further recruitment in 2019 to address this recommendation

14. LEP Review LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY
ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Local Enterprise Partnerships will need to provide a secretariat independent of local government to support the Chair and board in decision making.
LEPs to outline timeline
WLEP Executive Team are independent of local government
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Government will support all Local Enterprise Partnerships to have a legal personality.
By April 2019
WLEP are registered as a company limited by guarantee (operating in dormancy)

15. First AGM to be held in 2019/20 financial year
LEP Review
ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
Local Enterprise Partnerships will want to identify a single Accountable Body within in each area that is responsible for all Local Enterprise Partnership funding.
By Spring 2020
WLEP have single accountable body arrangements in operation with Worcestershire County Council
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
As legal entities, all Local Enterprise Partnerships will be required to hold an annual general meeting. We will set an expectation that these are open to the public and businesses to attend and properly promoted.
First AGM to be held in 2019/20 financial year
Date not yet set, however opportunity to link to WLEP Annual Conference or LIS Business Engagement event

16. LEP Review ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE Recommendation Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
We will expect all Local Enterprise Partnerships to set out exactly who is accountable for spending decisions, appointments, and overall governance locally.
To be put in place for the 2019/20 financial year
This is included as part of WLEP’s LAF which has been approved by FAR Committee and WLEP Board
Recommendation
Deadline
Progress
RAG Status
The Government will support Local Enterprise Partnerships to set out how they will ensure external scrutiny and expert oversight, including participating in relevant local authority scrutiny panel enquiries to ensure effective and appropriate democratic scrutiny of their investment decisions.
LEPs to outline plans for how to comply
WLEP have had arrangements in place with Accountable Body for over 18 months.
WLEP have twice presented to OSPB

17. WLEP Queries for HMG GOVERNANCE
Geography overlaps – proposed next steps?
PAC Report – HMG response?
LEP Delivery Plan feedback – future focus?
What is expectation of AGM from HMG?
STRATEGY
LIS Timelines – acceleration request from HMG expected?
DELIVERY
Additional capacity funding for WLEP?
UKSPF details / timeline?
Any grapevine rumours on funding opps post-Brexit?

18. “To build a connected, creative, dynamic economy that delivers increased prosperity for all those who choose to live, work, visit and invest in Worcestershire.”
Contact:
Director of Operations
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership