Further to Minute 51 of the Policy Committee meeting held on 19 February 2024, the Chief Executive submitted a report seeking to establish a Joint Committee, to be known as the Berkshire Prosperity Board, to enable Berkshire’s local authorities to collaborate to take advantage of opportunities to deliver economic development improvements across the region.  A Joint Committee would provide more flexibility and influence than a single council and would enable local authorities to speak with one voice to Government and other agencies/ organisations to secure funding for key projects and initiatives. Through collaborative working the Berkshire local authorities would benefit from:  

·       Creating a shared vision of inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity to address challenges and meet opportunities whilst retaining the sovereignty of each local authority.

·       Having a strengthened case to Government and private investors for funding and greater investment for strategic projects across Berkshire.

·       Acting as a vehicle to commission the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and others in response to the Government’s review of Local Economic Partnerships.

·       Having a stronger, collective voice in lobbying Government and other agencies.

·       Taking a collaborative mindset in targeting external bodies effectively for the benefit of Berkshire.

·       Positioning Berkshire advantageously in readiness for potential devolution proposals to benefit from additional responsibilities and funding opportunities.

·       Setting up a Berkshire that is better able to efficiently, seize future opportunities and adapt to challenges.

·       Working on six shared themes: health and inequalities, education and skills, affordable housing, sector development, strategic infrastructure and net zero.

·       Transforming Berkshire`s productivity through, responsive, agile collaboration.

The report explained that the core members of the Committee would include Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council.  The draft Constitution and structure; functions and procedure rules and responsibilities of the accountable body; and the draft governance structure were appended to the report for adoption.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Brock and seconded by Councillor Terry and CARRIED:

Resolved –

(1)            That the establishment of a fully constituted Joint Committee (to be known as the Berkshire Prosperity Board) from May 2024 to deliver a Berkshire-wide vision for inclusive green and sustainable economic prosperity be agreed;

(2)            That the proposed Constitution for the Joint Committee, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be agreed;

(3)            That the responsibilities of the accountable body, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be agreed;

(4)            That the draft Governance structure, as set out in Appendix C to the report, be noted;

(5)            That the delegated authority given to the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Director of Finance, the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, by Policy Committee on 19 February 2024 (Minute 51 refers) to reach a legally binding Agreement between the member Authorities setting out the supporting arrangements and responsibilities between the Authorities, particularly that between the Lead Authority, known as the Accountable Body and the other member Authorities be noted.