Policies & Procedures

• Annual Assurance Statement 2023-24
• Annual Assurance Statement 2022-23
• Annual Assurance Statement 2021-22
• Annual Assurance Statement 2020-21

These set out the terms of reference for our board and how it will operate.

• Articles of Association

The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and its accountable body, Somerset Council, have responsibility for ensuring that all funding decisions are made in accordance with the Assurance Framework, which  ensures robust and accountable processes are in place, as required by Government in dealing with public funds.  The  Chief Executive  is responsible for day to day processes and ensuring value for money is delivered.

• Assurance Framework
• Assurance Framework Checklist

Below is the National Local Growth Assurance Framework. This framework sets out government’s guidance for places that are required to develop their own local assurance framework. It applies to Mayoral Combined Authorities with a Single Pot and Local Enterprise Partnerships.

• National Local Growth Assurance Framework

This policy is for the rolling replacement and/or retirement of HotSW Board members, following the Strengthened LEPs report.

• Board Director Rolling Replacement Policy

All directors and staff follow these codes of conduct.

• Code of Conduct – Members
• Code of Conduct – Staff

A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction about any aspect of HotSW LEP.

• Complaints Policy

Our ordinary complaints procedure may not be suitable if someone wants the complaint to remain confidential. This policy is if a confidential complaint is received.

• Confidential Reporting

Sets out where conflicts of interest may arise and how they are to be managed.

• Conflicts of Interest Policy

• Pipeline AF Process Flowcharts

If you are seeking HotSW endorsement for your project or proposal, we ask that the following process is followed:

• A business case should be made (up to two sides of A4) showing how the project aligns with the matches the Strategic Economic Plan and/or the Heart of the South West Productivity Strategy.
• Once this is complete, please submit it via email to  janet.powell@heartofswlep.co.uk. Please provide a short covering note with your email and give it the subject line ‘Endorsement’.

A response will usually be forthcoming within two weeks. In the event that the project meets the criteria, a formal letter of endorsement will be issued.  If it does not meet the criteria, we will explain the reasons behind our decision.

Please note: the Heart of the South West will not endorse projects verbally. Without the formal letter of endorsement, projects will not be able to claim approval. In the event that this claim is made without foundation, we may elect to inform the appropriate bodies to ensure that our reputation and those of the partners is protected.

The governing arrangements for each of the Enterprise Zones can be found below:

Gravity Enterprise Zone

• Governance

*This is an extract of the ‘Huntspill Energy Park: Implementation Plan dated March 2017’.

Oceansgate Enterprise Zone

• Governance

*This is an extract of the ‘Oceansgate Enterprise Zone Implementation Plan March 2017’.

Exeter & East Devon Enterprise Zone

• Governance

*This is an extract of the ‘Appendix 3 EZ Implementation Plan amended January 2018 v1’.

• Equality and Diversity Policy

• Gifts and Hospitality Policy

A current register of gifts and hospitality declarations from September 2018 can be found HERE.

For a register of gifts and hospitality declarations from before September 2018, a freedom of information request will need to be submitted to Somerset Council, details of which can be found HERE.

The Joint Scrutiny Committee provides strategic overview and Scrutiny of the activities of the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

In meeting its purpose, the Joint Scrutiny Committee will be specifically charged with:

• The review of strategic decisions made by the LEP Board;
• The review of progress of programmes under the management of the LEP to identify barriers to progress, good practice and possible improvements to the LEP’s programme management function, notwithstanding the ability of Local Authorities to scrutinise individual programmes of delivery which impact on their communities;
• Scrutiny of the delivery of the Strategic Economic Plan and the Productivity Strategy; and
• To review LEP performance and consider any comparative data the Joint Committee deems necessary

View the work programme.

Further details as well as meeting documents can be found here.

• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 15/16

LEPs are committed to publishing minutes, agenda and papers for full board meetings and any sub-committees which involves decisions about public money. The HotSW LEP only has three such meetings; LEP Board, Strategic Investment Panel (SIP) and Finance and Resources Committee (F&R). The following policy outlines how the HotSW will comply with the Governance and Transparency Guidance published by Government in December 2017.

• Publication of Meeting and Agenda Items

• Register of Members’ Interests
• Register of Staffs Interests

Click here to view the Target Operating Model

• Travel, Subsistence & Expenses Policy

A current register travel, subsistence and expenses claims from September 2021 can be found HERE.

For a register of expenses from before September 2021, a freedom of information request will need to be submitted to Somerset Council, details of which can be found HERE.

Arising from concerns about a danger, risk, contravention of rules or illegality to act in the wider public interest, usually because it threatens others or impacts on public funds.

• Whistleblowing Policy