Terms of reference for the Bracknell Forest Economic Partnership

Overview

The purpose of the Bracknell Forest Economic Partnership (BFEP) is to facilitate and promote the continued economic prosperity of Bracknell Forest. The BFEP will provide challenge and insight to support the vision, objectives and actions of the Bracknell Forest Economic Strategy 2024 to 2034.

The partnership enables those directly and indirectly concerned with the local economy, employment, and training, together with representatives from the public and third sectors to influence and shape the Economic Strategy Action Plan delivery programme.

Composition

For the partnership to achieve the strategy objectives it will include representatives from the following:

large (250+ employees), medium (50 to 249 employees) and small (up to 49 employees) business representatives - 2 from each cohort across the borough
Bracknell Business Improvement District (board member x 2)
business representative organisations - including Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, others - 1 from each
Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) and The Lexicon
Bracknell Forest schools and further education (Activate Learning)
higher education - University of Reading and Royal Holloway University of London
public sector - Department of Works and Pensions, Local Member of Parliament, parish and town councils
Bracknell Forest Council - Cabinet Member for Economic Development and relevant officers
others co-opted as necessary

Meeting format

The BFEP will meet at least 4 times a calendar year. The venue will be agreed by the chairs in consultation with the Bracknell Forest Council lead officer. The following matters will form part of the normal agenda:

Bracknell Forest Economic Strategy - action plan delivery programme performance.
Opportunities to help with the strategy vision and objectives.
Areas for partnership support.
Risk assessment and external factors influencing delivery.
Resource and funding.

The BFEP will be jointly chaired. There will be 1 representative from the business community and 1 from the skills and training sectors. The chair will alternate (each meeting) with a 2-year term. There is the option to extend for another 2 years. The partnership will also have a vice chair.

Succession planning will be carried out by the standing joint chairs and the current sub-group chairs. However, an external person to the partnership maybe nominated. Any nominations require a vote of the sub-group chairs to approve.

The BFEP meets 4 times a year. There is the option of calling special meetings when required.

There is an expectation that in addition to regular meetings, members participate in working subgroups. These will meet as required to fulfil the expectations as delegated by the BFEP.

Agendas, papers, minutes and actions will be provided before and after each meeting within 10 working days of the relevant date.

The secretariat is provided by Bracknell Forest Council’s democratic services.

BFEP thematic sub-groups

The sub-groups are:

Economic performance
Business competitiveness
People, work, and wellbeing
Place, climate change, infrastructure, and connectivity

A chair for each subgroup will be chosen from the BFEP membership with a term consistent with the Partnership chairs.

Member profile

Members must have:

significant links relevant to Bracknell Forest to join the partnership
be able to provide professional expertise that the partnership desire
each member who represents a particular organisation must have significant influence within the company or organisation and be a senior member of staff

Members who cannot make any scheduled meeting are expected to send apologies ahead of the meeting.

If a member is finding it hard to attend meetings, such as 3 consecutive no shows, they should consider stepping aside to offer their place to a more ‘active’ member representative.

Person profile

Members must:

actively contribute to the delivery of the Bracknell Forest Economic Strategy 2024-2034
provide expertise and knowledge to the BFEP
be prepared to take the lead in their areas of expertise
endeavour to represent the views of their sector within Bracknell Forest and seek evidence to substantiate relevant views
have a strong commitment and understanding of all areas pertaining to the economic development in Bracknell Forest
be an active participant of the BFEP, using their influencing skills to further constructive debate to achieve the aims and strategies of the BFEP
comply with the Nolan Principles and standards in public life
be an ambassador for Bracknell Forest in areas of Economic Development

Individual expectations