Decision details

To approve the new East Sussex Local Growth Assurance Framework. This has been produced as a result of  the closure of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and is intended to provide local scrutiny, checks, balances and accountability to the public and to the UK Government.

22.1     The Leader and Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

22.2     The Leader and Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note that as part of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership transition, East Sussex County Council became the Accountable Body for the capital programmes delivered in East Sussex from 1 April 2024; and

(2) Approve the proposed East Sussex Local Growth Assurance Framework, set out in Appendix 1 of the report, in response to the dissolution of the South East Sussex Local Enterprise Partnership.

REASONS

22.3     The Government’s 2022 Levelling Up White Paper set out a commitment to extend devolution across England, empower local leaders, and integrate Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions into local democratic institutions. Following the Government’s decision in 2023 to discontinue funding for LEPs from April 2024 onwards, the County Council has worked proactively with its Upper Tier Local Authority (UTLA) partners in SELEP to draft both the SELEP integration plan and an East Sussex integration plan to enable a smooth and thorough transition of responsibilities to UTLAs.

22.4     The draft East Sussex Local Growth Assurance Framework is aligned to the Government’s guidance on LEP integration published in August 2023, and the Local Economic Development Funding: Assurance Framework issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in October 2024. It outlines clear governance structures and processes to enable the County Council to meet requirements by Government whilst maintaining oversight and assurance of legacy and/or existing and future local growth programmes, balancing risk management with decision-making at appropriate levels to inform and support project delivery.