Freeports

(asked on 28th March 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the governance arrangements they require from the freeports established in the UK.


Answered by
Baroness Scott of Bybrook Portrait
Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
This question was answered on 3rd April 2023

English Freeports are required to have robust and effective governance structures in place to manage their operations and deliver on the policy objectives. These requirements are set out in the Full Business Case guidance on Gov.uk and following the submission of a full business case were subject to a thorough appraisal process by government. As part of full government approval, Freeports are required commit to these structures through the agreement of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and provide evidence of their implementation and good functioning.

Freeports governing bodies must adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan principles) and commit to appropriate levels of transparency, propriety, and inclusivity with respect to governance. This includes but is not limited to the publication of board papers, minutes, and register of members' interests to ensure any actual or perceived conflicts of interest are recorded and managed appropriately.

Government will monitor this through its performance management and assurance processes, formally set out in a document known as the Freeports Framework. This document sets out what is expected of local authorities and Freeport governing bodies in receipt of government funding and other support to provide UK government, stakeholders, and the public, with assurance that Freeports will be subject to vigorous stewardship and their benefits will be fully realised. More detail on this can be found in the Freeports Annual Report.

Reticulating Splines