Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:That the Strategic Partnership Agreement attached at Appendix 1 to the agenda be endorsed and signed up to.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that the borough council and the CPCA establish a firm strategic basis for mutually beneficial joint working.

Councillor Middleton presented a report which proposed the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the borough council and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA).  The agreement whilst at a high level commits both parties to work together for mutual benefit on strategic issues with a ‘cross border’ dimension such as investment in key road and rail infrastructure (A47, A10, King’s Cross to King’s Lynn rail) and on skills development. 

This agreement sought to build on existing partnership working to share information, data and evidence and to develop a coordinated approach to the Local Growth Fund. 

Regular meetings would be held and where appropriate a joint funding approach may be taken, also in conjunction where possible with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP). 

Joint approaches to government may also be taken forward, for example with regards to funding for major infrastructure investment.

The Chief Executive explained that the CPCA still held the old LEP’s funding which it was possible to apply for its use in the borough.  He re-iterated the importance of the links with Cambridgeshire, particularly with the overlapping links for housing in the Wisbech area.  It was noted that West Suffolk were also looking to have the same relationship with the CPCA.

Councillor Devereux asked if there would likely be greater collaboration on flood control as there would be more water coming down the Ouse.  It was noted that such items could be raised in the meetings with the CPCA.

Under Standing Order 34 Councillor Pope commented that the area was only likely to receive a small amount of funding through this route, but if it was not costing the borough anything to do so it should sign up.

The Chair reported that with the link with the NALEP there was greater control over things within the borough, but new arrangements for the CPCA it was possible to push west Norfolk’s priorities with the Mayor.

RESOLVED:That the Strategic Partnership Agreement attached at Appendix 1 to the agenda be endorsed and signed up to.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that the borough council and the CPCA establish a firm strategic basis for mutually beneficial joint working.