Agenda item

Consider report by Executive Director, Corporate Improvement & Economy.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Executive Director, Corporate Improvement and Economy, proposing that Scottish Borders Council entered into a Strategic Partnership Protocol with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) to assist both bodies to work collaboratively together to achieve their joint aims and for the benefit of the economy in the area.  South of Scotland Enterprise formally commenced its operations on 1 April 2020. Its creation represented a major change in the economic development landscape across the South of Scotland and offered opportunities to take different and innovative approaches to the delivery of economic development across the South of Scotland.  Scottish Borders Council retained economic development amongst its functions and it was considered vital that both bodies work together in a collaborative way to achieve their joint aims.  In recent years, the Council had entered into partnership protocols with its strategic partners - such as Live Borders and CGI.  As this had proved to be an effective tool, it was considered that it would be helpful and consistent with that approach to enter into such a protocol with the new Agency.  The Convener welcomed Professor Russell Griggs, Chairman of the SoSE Board, and Karen Jackson, SoSE Director of Strategy, Partnership and Engagement, to the meeting.  Professor Griggs explained the work that SoSE had been involved in with the start of the Agency being somewhat different to what had been anticipated due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.  The Agency started with 10 members of staff and this had now increased to 70 with further growth over the next 3 years expected to bring this number up to between 120 and 130.  The budget would also grow over this period until it reached the same per capital level as Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  He advised that a permanent Chief Executive, Jane Morrison-Ross, had just been appointed and she would take up post in February 2021.  He highlighted the importance of partnership working which was vital to delivering growth for the South of Scotland and emphasised the need to ensure that the South of Scotland’s voice was heard in a positive way.  Councillor Bell welcomed the protocol but proposed an amendment to add a further recommendation in the following terms to ensure elected Member oversight:-

“Council asks officers to come to an agreement with South of Scotland Enterprise, and communicate back to this Council

-        about how Elected Members will be kept informed and given the opportunity to discuss on at least an annual basis the progress of this partnership; and

-       about all other relevant and governance aspects of an effective and continuing working relationship.”

This amendment was unanimously accepted.  Councillor Rowley welcomed the news regarding the new Chief Executive of SSOE and thanked Nick Halfhide for his work as Interim Chief Executive.  The Convener thanked Professor Griggs and Ms Jackson for their attendance and looked forward to welcoming them back to future meetings.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)   to enter into a Strategic Partnership Protocol with South of Scotland Enterprise in the terms detailed in the Appendix to the report; and

(b)  that officers come to an agreement with South of Scotland Enterprise, and communicate back to this Council:-

(i)    about how Elected Members would be kept informed and given the opportunity to discuss on at least an annual basis the progress of this partnership; and

(ii)   about all other relevant and governance aspects of an effective and continuing working relationship.