Recommendation 13

Local authorities have played an important role in the delivery of ESI funding with their on-the-ground knowledge and expertise and the UK and Welsh Governments should seek to ensure that the Shared Prosperity Fund utilises their experience. While the full economic benefits of City and Growth Deals are yet to be seen, they offer a blueprint for collaborative working between the UK and devolved governments and local authorities from which lessons should be learned. We note that the Welsh Government has brought forward proposals which would enable local authorities to establish Corporate Joint Committees to facilitate joint working, including in areas covered by City and Growth deals. It would seem sensible for the Shared Prosperity Fund to be designed so that it could, in future, work with City and Growth deals.