George Eustice gets his man
According the council's press release:
"Sir John's name was originally suggested at a meeting of private sector representatives convened by Camborne and Redruth MP George Eustice in November, and was then subsequently endorsed by the board of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum."I've asked the council for more details. Such as whether any other names were considered by the Economic Forum. The council statement also says:
"Given the intensive nature of the work required, Johnson Matthey, the company that Sir John currently chairs, has been recompensed for the time that he has committed to addressing the areas such as low cost green energy for Cornwall, connectivity, creating vibrant rural communities and affordable housing."Naturally, given its enthusiasm for openness and transparency, the council will be keen to tell us how much compensation is being paid to Johnson Matthey...
STOP PRESS: The council just phoned to tell me that the amount of compensation paid to Johnson Matthey "is under discussion." Sir John's name was "the only name put forward by the private sector." The council is currently providing the secretariat to the the LEP.
Hmmm. The more I think about this, the more questions spring to mind. Were any names put forward by the public sector? What are the rules governing the appointment of a chairman - where does the authority come from to make such an appointment? Lest we forget, the man with the Midas touch who approved the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP was.....Vince Cable.
STOP STOP PRESS:
The latest email exchange:
Were any "public sector" names considered to chair the LEP, and if so, who? I would be surprised if the council leader was not considered - are you able to confirm whether he was or was not?
No public names were considered - the Government made quite clear that LEPs should be private sector led (and chaired).
And as per my original email, who has appointed Sir John Banham? On what authority? Who made the rules? John was quoted in the WMN saying he had been asked "by the council" to chair the LEP - really? Who in the council has such power to make the appointment?
Sir John is the founding chair for the LEP. The Council will be working with him, the Chamber of Commerce, FSB and other partners to ensure a transparent 'Nolan' process for LEP Board members and thus, in turn, a formally appointed Chairman. He was put forward as a name by a number of representatives from the private sector as well as Chamber of Commerce. The Council has facilitated this to happen in lieu of the LEP being established (it is not yet a formally constituted body) and his appointment was endorsed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum.
I'm ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 22nd Dec 2010, backofanenvelope wrote:Shock horror! A businessman is selected to head Cornwall's new LEP! No one from the public sector is considered! Could it be that word Enterprise?
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Comment number 2.
At 22nd Dec 2010, cornwallwatch wrote:Nominated by the public sector Economic Forum at the behest of the council, and implementing the council's agenda, there is no private sector mandate for Sir John's appointment. The term "private sector" led is highly misleading for someone put in place by the public sector, whatever his personal background.
Those pushing for a leader to be selected using a representative or accountable system have been threatened or sidelined, and as yet no body exists to give any combined private sector view on either the chairman, board members, or priorities of the LEP.
"Who in the council has such power to make the appointment?", the answer is the chief executive, who has been the driving force behind this appointment.
The phrase being widely used to describe it is the council's "land grab", and as usual those who will end up paying the price are the Cornish.
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd Dec 2010, Kevin Oliver wrote:Sir John Banham is not the only name put forward to the council, but he is the only one they were prepared to consider. His name was put forward by George Eustice (public sector). Sir John then had meetings with Kevin Lavery (public sector) and the invitation for him to take up the position was sent out by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum (public sector). His "private sector" endorsement was given by a non democratic invited group of people. Other business representatives wanted invites to the meeting but were refused. Sir John comes with a very personal prospectus, which is not what is being sought by the business community. The LEP needs to be focused solely on creating an environment for business to succeed and grow if it expects the business community to deliver the jobs and wealth everyone desires. It is all achieveable, but is it going in the right direction?
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