Decision details

To consider a report on the Berkshire City Deal, including the proposed governance arrangements.

(a)  That it be noted that the Thames Valley Berkshire City Deal, focused on increasing the participation of 16-24 year olds in education, training and work, to develop work-related skills and to streamline the pathway to employment for young people, was accepted by government and launched on 28 October 2013 with the signing of the deal document by all six unitary authorities and the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

(b)  That a Joint Committee be established of the six Berkshire Unitary Authorities be appointed under Section 102 (2) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the purposes of managing and delivering the agreed outcomes of the City Deal initiative, and in this regard:

·  The Leader of the Council be appointed to the Joint Committee as Slough Borough Council’s representative;

·  Reading Borough Council be recognised as the Accountable Body for the purposes of the City Deal initiative;

·  Bracknell Forest Borough Council be appointed to the role of Secretariat to the Joint Committee on behalf of the six unitary authorities;

·  The Berkshire-wide officer group set up to steer the development of the City Deal Proposal continue in this role reporting to the Joint Committee, and be responsible for: