Purpose

The Government has
confirmed that it will withdraw central government funding for
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) from April 2024, and that LEP
functions should at that time be transferred to local
authorities.
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is preparing
for LEP transition including governance arrangements relating to
the ending of the statutory functions of Coast to Capital Local
Enterprise Partnership.  This will see
WSCC working with Surrey County Council (SCC) and Brighton &
Hove City Council (BHCC) on Coast to Capital (C2C) LEP legacy
arrangements; acting as the lead and accountable body for the core
functions of the development of an Economic Strategy for West
Sussex through engagement with the districts and boroughs, and
ensuring strong business representation in future arrangements; and
acting as the lead and accountable body for hosting and delivering
the Growth Hub function to support business.

Decision

The Leader
has:
(1)        
Endorsed the proposals for the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
transition arrangements for West Sussex and consequential
arrangements arising from the transfer of LEP statutory functions
from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
(2)        
Delegated to the Director of Place Services, in consultation with
the Director of Law and Assurance the negotiation and settlement of
the various agreements described in section 2 of the report
required to implement the arrangements.
(3)        
Delegated to the Director of Place Services in consultation with
the Director of HR and Organisational Development the completion of
arrangements for the transfer of staff to the County Council from
Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd. in accordance
with employment regulations.