Issue - meetings

A report from the Chief Executive is attached. This sets out the key aims, objectives and governance of the North East London Strategic Alliance (NELSA) and seeks approval to Enfield Council’s membership of NELSA and being the accountable body for the organisation. (Non key)

(Report No.217)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Chief Executive (No.217) setting out the key aims, objectives and governance of the North East London Strategic Alliance (NELSA) and seeking approval to Enfield Council’s membership of NELSA and being the accountable body for the organisation.

NOTED

1.               That there was a typographical error in Annex B of the report, paragraph 2 of the annex referred. The Vice Chair should be the Leader or Mayor of Authority One (which was Barking and Dagenham) and not Six (which was Waltham Forest), as there was only one representative from each authority and Waltham Forest was already scheduled to be the Chair.

2.               Noted the key objectives of NELSA as detailed in the documentation presented to Members to consideration. The Alliance would maximise the ability of the local authorities to influence on a sub-regional basis and move forward the devolution agenda in London.

3.               That the annual contribution per Borough was £10,000 to be found from existing resources within the Chief Executive budget, paragraph 6.1 of the report referred.

Alternative Options Considered: Enfield Council did not join a London sub-regional grouping. This would leave Enfield isolated, with reduced influence and the potential for missing out on current and future funding streams.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to Enfield Council joining the North East London Strategic Alliance (NELSA) and authorised the Council Leader, Councillor Doug Taylor, to sign the Partnership Protocol for the North East London Strategic Alliance and the Inter Authority Agreement in Relation to Funding for NELSA.

Reason: Sub-regional groupings were becoming more important as the discussions around devolution of powers from central government to a more local level were continuing and feature strongly in the election manifestos. National and European funding bodies were looking at functional economic areas that were bigger than individual local authorities. It was also clear that there were some major challenges such as employment and skills, housing and health that would be more effectively addressed through a cross-borough approach through a sub-regional grouping. Joining NELSA would enable Enfield to participate fully in addressing these challenges and had greater influence in discussions with national and regional government.

(Non key)