Decision details

Detailed guidance for the first phase of the Towns Fund was published in June 2020 which contained a number of specific requirements around the governance of the Towns Fund programme including the responsibilities of the Lead Council and the Town Deal Board.

Governance arrangements for the Towns Fund Programme were approved by Cabinet on 22 July 2020 (see Minute No 61/20) including confirmation of member appointments to the Boards.

Following receipt of additional guidance from Government in December 2020 and April 2021, the Governance arrangements were updated and approved by Cabinet on 16 June 2021 to reflect the roles of the Superboard and Local Boards for Phase 2.

To manage Phase 3 Delivery, Cabinet approved the dissolution of the Superboard with the Local Boards inheriting Superboard responsibilities on 18th May 2022. A late amendment was requested to include an additional elected member from unrepresented wards of the funding programme. However due to an administrative error, this was not presented to Cabinet.

Cabinet approved delegated authority for the Managing Director Commissioner, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Growth, and the Monitoring Officer, agree any updates to Terms of Reference and arrangements for the Governance of the Towns Fund Programme in accordance with the
Government’s Towns Funds Guidance.

The three Towns Fund Boards met in July 2022, with a key focus on reviewing membership to ensure representation of a diverse range of sectors, skills and interests to successfully deliver the Towns Fund Programme. An update of the Terms of Reference was also required to
clarify governance matters.

The Terms of Reference have therefore been updated to include:

Item 4.2 Elected Members – SMBC Full Council nominates Councillors and Cabinet Members to represent Town Deal Boards on an annual basis (Appointments to other Bodies). Where the appointed nominees for the Town Deal Boards do not represent the appropriate wards for the funding programme, an additional elected member can express their interest, to ensure all Wards are covered. The Chair and Town Lead will make the decision should there be more than one elected member expressing interest for the same Ward; and Town Deal Board members will cast votes where a decision cannot be agreed.

Item 4.3 The Town Lead Member is responsible for reporting progress back to Ward Members via Town Member Board Meetings.

Item 10.4 The updated membership will be reported to Cabinet at least on an annual basis to align with Annual appointments.

Item 10.5 All Board members are expected to attend at least a minimum of 50% of the annual meetings held, unless exceptional circumstances have been accepted by the Chair.

The Towns Fund Boards will continue to manage membership throughout the year with updates provided to Cabinet on an annual basis to align with Annual appointments to external bodies.

Cabinet will continue to review elected member representation on the Towns Fund Boards and update if required.

To seek approval for the inclusion of an additional elected member where Annual appointment to Boards do not represent all Wards of the funding programme.

That as per delegated authority approved by Cabinet on 18 May 22, the Director of Regeneration, Cabinet Portfolio Holder and Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) approve the updated Terms of Reference and governance arrangements including the above recommendation.

The Towns Fund governance and Board structures were approved by Cabinet in July 2020 and in place throughout Phases 1 and 2 of the programme.

As the programme moved into Phase 3, the Governance structure was updated to ensure effective delivery of the Towns Fund programme. Following consultation with Board members, changes to the structure were presented for approval to Cabinet on 18 May 2022.

Following publication of the 18 May Cabinet Report, a late amendment was requested to include an additional elected member from unrepresented wards of the funding programme. However due to an administrative error, this was not presented to Cabinet.

The alternative option is to request Cabinet approval for any change to Board membership. This would be impractical due to the frequency of Board meetings now taking place quarterly.

The current Terms of Reference does not provide the opportunity for applicable Wards to be represented therefore giving an impression of not being inclusive.