CIoS LEP Assurance Framework

LEP Chair and CEO Local Assurance Statement

Our core governance and assurance processes and our programme management and monitoring activities, are overseen by the LEP Board and supported through a close working relationship with our Accountable Body, Cornwall Council. This provides strong governance and accountability with robust control processes across the breadth of LEP activity in 2017. Occasionally, working with our delivery partners, this robustness of approach has led us to be slightly delayed in our previously agreed draw down of government supporting funds. We are reviewing our approach to profiling as a result of this and how we should even more firmly require fund beneficiaries to provide sufficient evidence of impact in a timely manner. With significant increased private sector investment intended in 2018 we will need to ensure further enhanced clarity to all Growth Deal beneficiaries in this regard.

The LEP Board represents a good cross section of both private and public sector interests across the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly economy. In 2018, in an open and Nolan Principles compliant process we will recruit new Board non-executive directors, providing new input and ideas to the development and implementation of the LEP’s Vision 2030, strategic economic plan. We will also strengthen our sub board structures and in particular want to find new ways to significantly increase private sector involvement in our work. In the first quarter of 2018, a detailed review of our governance structure and reporting mechanisms, ensuring that our approach aligns to the findings of the recent Ney Review will be undertaken. In all of our activities we are committed to be open and transparent, will publish agenda’s and minutes on our web site and will describe the work of the LEP, on our website, in the media, with local partners and with Government and will be open to question and scrutiny on all of our activities.

The LEP has a Conflicts of Interest Policy which is available on the LEP website. The National Audit Office has defined conflicts of interest in its Cross-government Conflicts of Interest report 2015 as “a set of circumstances that creates a risk that an individual’s ability to apply judgement or act in one role is, or could be, impaired or influenced by a secondary interest. The perception of competing interests, impaired judgement or undue influence can also be a conflict of interest.” The way in which conflicts are to be dealt with by the LEP Board is set out in article 14 of the articles of association.

It has been agreed that where CC as Accountable Body and the LEP disagree on any matter, including any potential or perceived conflict of interest by the dual role of the LEP CEO and Service Director for Economic Growth, there is a period of consultation to come to a mutually acceptable position. Where the consultation does not resolve the issue in a reasonable period it is escalated to the Chief Executive of CC, the Chief Executive of the Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Chair of the LEP for resolution. Where the role of the Chief Executive of the LEP and role of Service Director for Economic Growth results in a collaborative working conflict the views of the LEP shall take precedence.

Assurance Framework

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP currently follows an assurance framework which guides local decision making to support accountability, transparency and value for money.

Our framework follows national guidelines, practices and standards.

The framework document covers all funding programmes including the Local Growth Fund, and ensures we have robust value for money processes in place.

Download a copy of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Assurance Framework. Any enquiries relating to the Framework should be directed to the LEP Executive Team.

Please see below a list of associated appendices for the LEP Assurance framework.