DCLG publishes guidance on setting up economic prosperity boards

The government this week published guidance to help groups of local authorities set up Economic Prosperity Boards (EPBs).

The boards are executive decision-making bodies designed to promote sustainable economic growth and regeneration across a sub-region. Their creation was enabled by Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

The guidance covers:

• The main features of EPBs and combined authorities and an outline of the process for creating these bodies
• How to undertake a governance review (the first step toward creating an EPB or combined authority)
• How to prepare a scheme (the second step)
• The final stage – from the publication of the scheme to the creation of the EPB or combined authority by the Secretary of State
• The process for amending or dissolving an existing EPB or combined authority.

Combined authorities are, effectively, an amalgamation of an EPB and an integrated transport authority (ITA).

The processes for setting up an EPB or combined authority are similar to those in place for setting up ITAs under the Local Transport Act 2008.

To read the guidance, click here.