Thematic Committees
These are decision making committees of the Combined Authority, which bring together elected members of our partner local authorities with private sector experts and leaders from business, to drive progress across our strategic priorities.
Thematic Committees of the Combined Authority. These committees bring together:
- leading elected members of our partner local authorities,
- private sector experts, and
- key advisory representatives, for example: Yorkshire Universities, West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges, TUC, Chambers of Commerce, Environment Agency, Homes England.
Working in partnership, the committee membership help to drive progress across our strategic priorities, guiding the development of policy and project delivery, and ensuring business-led economic growth is at the core of everything we do.
Each committee is chaired by a Combined Authority member (a leader of one of our five partner Councils), together with a Deputy Chair from the private sector membership of the LEP Board.
Information on meeting papers and minutes can be found here.
Business, Economy and Innovation Committee
This industry-led committee, made up of businesses, universities, policy-makers and delivery partners, ensures that our work is driven by the needs of business. The committee oversees projects that will realise the region’s economic potential by strengthening our global competitiveness, encouraging innovation and enterprise and unlocking small business growth.
The Committee is chaired by Cllr Shabir Pandor (CA member and Leader of Kirklees Council), with Andrew Wright (LEP Board member) as Deputy Chair.
Membership of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee
Employment and Skills Committee
This committee brings employers together with local authorities and skills providers. They oversee projects to address skills gaps in the city region's key industry sectors, and create local leadership that drives improvements in skills and employment. Their work is driven by the needs of employers and the region's economy.
The Committee is chaired by Cllr James Lewis (CA member and Leader of Leeds City Council), with Shirley Congdon (LEP Board member) as Deputy Chair.
Climate, Energy and Environment Committee
This committee is a joint partnership between local government and private sector businesses in the region. They oversee projects that are helping to develop a cutting-edge energy infrastructure for the region that will drive innovation and contribute to business growth. Their main objective is to achieve a substantial and continued decrease in carbon emissions, while also increasing economic output and employment.
The Committee is chaired by Cllr Tim Swift (CA member and Leader of Calderdale Council), with Mark Roberts (LEP Board member and interim LEP Chair) as Deputy Chair.
Culture, Heritage and Sport Committee
This committee was established to work with key partners to develop and promote a shared understanding, approach and coherent strategies and policies in the culture, arts and creative industries area.
The Committee is chaired by Mayor Tracy Brabin, with Helen Featherstone (LEP Board member) as Deputy Chair.
Membership of the Culture, Arts and Creative Industries Committee
Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee
This aim of this committee (a successor to the Place Panel) is to develop strategic housing and regeneration policy, fulfil 'duty to cooperate' requirements around local planning and achieve a more integrated 'place based' approach to how public assets in the Leeds City Region are used to support economic growth.
The Committee is chaired by Cllr Denise Jeffery (CA member and Leader of Wakefield Council), with Amir Hussain (LEP Board member) as Deputy Chair.
Business Communications Group
This group is made up of spokespeople from key business representative organisations in the City Region. They play an active role in supporting business growth in the region by helping to coordinate effective communications between the LEP and the business community. They also act as an advisory group to the LEP Board; consulting with their members on barriers to growth and ensuring businesses are at the heart of everything we do.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
We also work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver our Strategic Economic Plan. See more information about how we work with the Combined Authority.
Scrutiny
To secure independent and external scrutiny of decisions, the Combined Authority’s statutory Overview and Scrutiny Committee is responsible for scrutinising the activities and decision-making of the LEP. The Committee operates strictly in accordance with Scrutiny Standing Orders.
The Committee may produce independent reports and make recommendations on any matter considered by the LEP or relating to LEP governance. It may also review or scrutinise any Combined Authority decision in its role as accountable body for the LEP. Further details on the LEP’s agreement with the Combined Authority (as Accountable Body) in respect of scrutiny arrangements are set out in the Assurance Framework. The LEP may also seek input from the Committee on any issue relating to policy and strategy development.