Terms of Reference for the WMCA Environment Board
Purpose
To help the WMCA become ‘best in class’ in terms of the delivery of ‘clean, inclusive and resilient growth’.
Success will be measured by annual improvements in the independent sustainability benchmark of combined authorities and progress on the Strategic Economic Plan goals on carbon, renewable energy, fuel poverty, air quality, waste, the natural environment and the growth of the green business sector.
The Board will provide advice and support to WMCA activity, helping engage with wider stakeholder networks and activity, identify and scale up existing good practice within the WMCA area, and identify and secure resources to deliver new opportunities.
Accountability
Accountable to the CA Board and Mayor and supported by the WMCA lead council CEO and WMCA Director with responsibility for environment. The Board also provides progress updates, advice and recommendations to other WMCA Committees.
Membership
Councillor - WMCA Portfolio Lead for the Environment
Councillor – Cabinet member for Environment from each of the 7 constituent authorities
Councillor – Up to 3 representatives of the sub-regional geography recommended from the non-constituent group.
Members of the WMCA Environment Advisory and Delivery Group may also attend in an advisory but non-decision making capacity. These are currently:
Substitutes
Members of the Board can nominate one substitute to attend and act on their behalf, if they cannot attend. This needs to be agreed in advance with the Monitoring Officer.
Chair
This will be the WMCA Portfolio Lead for the Environment.
Budgets and Voting
The Board will agree an annual work programme, which will be funded by the WMCA and partners, and progress reported to the Board.
Where possible recommendations will be reached by consensus, if a vote is required a majority of members is required. If there is a tie then Chair has the casting vote.
Quorum
There needs to be the WMCA Board Portfolio Lead and three other members.
Frequency
Three to four meetings a year.
Servicing
The WMCA Governance team working with the WMCA Director and Head of Environment will support the Board in terms of agenda, papers, and minutes.
The WMCA Environment Board Advisory and Delivery Group (EADG) will also meet between Board meetings to help drive particular workstreams.
Functions
Develop and report progress on an annual delivery plan.
Action Plan workstreams are to include:
The workstreams will be progressed by:
• Providing advice and support to WMCA activity
• Helping engage with wider stakeholder networks and activity
• Identify and scale up existing good practice within the WMCA area
• Identify and secure resources to deliver new opportunities
• Provide constructive challenge function by feeding into annual independent progress reports to the WMCA by Sustainability West Midlands.
Support officer: Craig Evans, Governance Services Officer.
Phone: 07584 009024
Email: craig.evans@wmca.org.uk