Agenda item

To receive the final Town Deal Board Terms of Reference and Board Membership.

At the previous board meeting, board members discussed the Terms of Reference and Board Membership and provided feedback for the Programme Management Office to action. Board members received Items 5a - Terms of Reference and 5b – Rowley Regis Town Deal Board Membership prior to the meeting.

Terms of Reference - Updates

·      4.2 – Updated process for elected members expressing interest to join the Town Deal Board

·      4.3 – Highlighting the Town Lead Member is responsible for feedback back into Ward Member meetings

·      10.4 – Board Membership would be fedback to Cabinet/ Council to ensure membership aligns with annual appointments

·      10.5 - The expectation of board members attending at least 50% of meetings per annum.

Following the passing of Cllr Shackleton, board members were informed there is now a vacancy for the Cradley Heath and Old Hill ward. The Programme Management Office would contact Ward Members in due course to seek who wishes to express an interest.

Since the circulation of the board papers, two new members have been appointed to join the Town Deal Board; Mark Wildman, Sandwell Leisure Trust and Sarah Rutter, Barnardo's.

There is a vacancy for a young person representative. Unfortunately, no appointments have been made to date with support from Sandwell Council's SHAPE Youth Forum and Sandwell College due to clashes with school lessons and college lectures. Board members were asked to put forward ideas on organisations to approach to secure young person representative.

The final vacancy is for WMCA/ LEP representative. A representative has been identified for the Smethwick Town Deal Board and the Programme Management Office are currently awaiting a representative for Rowley Regis and West Bromwich.

A suggestion was made to approach local schools to seek interest from six-form students. Board members were informed local schools have been approached, however timings of meetings make it difficult for students to attend due to lessons/ lectures.

The council's Employment and Skills representative shared details of the recent meeting held with the Chair of the Young Leavers Programme, who is keen to get young people involved. In addition, the council supports a number of apprentices who may be interested in joining the Town Deal Board. It was agreed that the Employment and Skills representative would lead on discussions and report back to the Chair and Programme Management Office.

A proposal was put forward to create an incentives package for young people to encourage their involvement. For example, if a young person joins a Town Deal Board they would have access to use a number of leisure facilities in exchange of giving up their time to support the Towns Fund Programme. This proposal was well received by board members and the Chair encourage all representatives to contribute to this package.

A suggestion was put forward to liaise with Councillor Singh, a key contact who can support consultation with traders located in Blackheath. Board members were informed Councillor Singh is on their key contacts list to engage with.

Action: Kelly Thomas to liaise with Chair of Young Leavers Programme and explore interests from Sandwell Council apprentices to see if they wish to join the Town Deal Board for Rowley Regis, West Bromwich and Smethwick.

Action: Board members to contact the Programme Management Office with details of incentives on offer to help create a package for young people to encourage their commitment to the Town Deal Board.