Structure and Function
1. Introduction
The structure and function of the partnership bodies which are responsible for the Economic Block of the Somerset Strategic Partnership are in the process of being revised to become more “fit for purpose”. The arrangements that have been agreed to date are as follows:
2. Structure
Somerset Strategic Partnership Forum
Somerset Strategic Partnership Joint Board
Economic Leaders Group
Quarterly meeting 25 members + 9 advisers/observers
Strategic economic partnership for Somerset
Executive Group
14 members, meetings 6 – 8 x a year
Technical support group to the Economic Leaders Group
Working Groups
Groups managing the delivery of key economic themes
3. Function of the Economic Leaders Group (ELG)
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To act as the main economic forum for the county of Somerset, bringing together the public and private sectors
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To lead on the strategic delivery of economic development priorities in Somerset
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To manage, champion and review the Somerset Economic Strategy for the Somerset Strategic Partnership, ensuring that Somerset’s economic strategy reflects and advances the region’s economic development priorities, while retaining a distinctive and relevant Somerset focus on key issues
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To manage, champion and review the economic development and enterprise block of the Local Area Agreement for Somerset
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To develop, manage, monitor and evaluate the strategic delivery plan for Somerset
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To advise the South West Regional Development Agency and other bodies of the Somerset strategic funding priorities in the context of the sub regional economic strategy and other key plans
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To advocate Somerset’s economic priorities regionally and to engage, influence and maximise the benefit and relevance to Somerset of regional policies
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To act as the key sub regional economic partnership recognised by the South West Regional Development Agency, Government Office for the South West, South West Regional Assembly and other relevant partners
4. Membership of the Economic Leaders Group
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Business representative organisations – e.g. Somerset Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors
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One representative from each of the Somerset key business sectors -aerospace and advanced engineering, creative industries, environmental technologies, food and drink, tourism (Note 1)
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One representative of other important sectors of the Somerset economy to include property development, retail, care, professional services. (Note 1)
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Economic Development Portfolio Holders from each of the Somerset local authorities
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Private sector representative of Local Strategic Partnerships
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One representative each from key local agencies to include Business Link Somerset, Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Somerset Further Education colleges
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One representative from the Voluntary and Community Sector Network
Advisers/observers: South West Regional Development Agency, Government Office for the South West, South West Regional Assembly, senior officers of the six local authorities with responsibility for economic
Note 1: As a “champion” for a particular industry sector (eg creative industries, manufacturing) the person would act as a representative of that sector to:
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Provide relevant economic information regarding that sector to ELG (either directly or through relevant working groups)
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Identify issues that the sector is facing (eg skills shortages) and bring them to the attention of the relevant group
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Suggest actions / projects that would help address the issues and that partners could help in delivering (eg working with LSC, colleges to provide training)
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Feed into policy consultations (eg RES) on behalf of the sector
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Act as a liaison point with businesses in that sector
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Speak on behalf of the sector when issues are raised that may have an impact on the sector
Note 2: In order to keep a smaller, tighter Economic Leaders Group, individuals may ‘double hat’ on representation
5. Purpose of the Executive Group
Strategic role
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To operate at a strategic level acting as the technical support group to the Somerset Economic Leaders Group
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To advise the Economic Leaders Group on regional, national and European strategies and initiatives that impact on the economy of Somerset and guide the alignment of Somerset strategies and initiatives
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To develop joint responses to European, national and regional consultations
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To provide strategic guidance to working groups and delivery partnerships
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Provide executive support to Economic Leaders Group champions
Co-ordination role
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To co-ordinate the work programmes, agendas and documentation for meetings of the Economic Leaders Group
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Management board for the co-ordination of delivery partnerships and working groups of key strategic actions of the Somerset Economic Strategy and the economic development and enterprise block of the Local Area Agreement
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Overseeing the review of the Somerset Economic Strategy
Delivery role
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To be accountable to the Economic Leaders Group for actions assigned to the organisations that the officers represent, in particular in the implementation of the Local Area Agreement and Somerset Economic Strategy
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To report and recommend actions to the Economic Leaders Group
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To update the Economic Leaders Group on the implementation of sub-regional strategies, in particular the Local Area Agreement and the Somerset Economic Strategy
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Scrutiny of the delivery of and overview of funding arrangements for action plans for the Somerset Economic Strategy and the economic development and enterprise block of the Local Area Agreement
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To develop and implement process for review of Somerset Economic Strategy
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To influence and encourage partner organisations to provide resources for delivery of the economic strategy and the economic development and enterprise block of the Local Area Agreement
Cascading role
6. Membership of the Executive Group
SWRDA Head of Operations for Somerset
Senior officer with responsibility for Economic Development from:
Somerset County Council
Mendip District Council
Sedgemoor District Council
South Somerset District Council
Taunton Deane Borough Council
West Somerset District Council
Somerset Strategic Planning Conference
Business Link Somerset
Somerset Learning and Skills Council
Connexions Somerset
Jobcentre Plus
Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The FE colleges
Chairs of the working groups will be called into the Executive Group to report on appropriate agenda items.
7. Role of Working Groups (in development)
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Own the delivery of LAA stretch targets, key actions and manage joint monies
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Responsible for developing and delivery of joint projects to meet the LAA objectives
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Policy development around a particular issue e.g. workspace strategy for adoption by Executive Group and Economic Leaders Group
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Provide management overview of delivery of programmes e.g. Connecting Somerset
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Prepare Somerset responses to national and regional consultations through the Executive Group and Economic Leaders Group
8. Co-Ordination/ Secretariat
Somerset County Council hosts the co-ordination / secretariat function within the Economic Strategy Team. The cost of this is funded through contributions from SWRDA, SCC and partners (cash or in kind)
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