Decision - Decision to support the funding of the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre (SYSC) through capital and officer time.

Decision details

Decision to support the funding of the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre (SYSC) through capital and officer time.

Decision Maker: Corporate Director of Public Transport

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The SYSC is a jointly developed project of the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, SYMCA, Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC, Rotherham MBC & Sheffield CC. With the aim to create a programme of demand lead research embedded in the needs of the region. The project has a budget of ~£11M, with support from Research England.

Decision:

In recognition of the strategic importance of this collaboration, we agree contributions to the sustainability centre, as a principal collaborator we have already committed:

• A contribution of £37,871 from the Mayoral Capacity Fund towards the initial project work programme.
• In kind support of 48 hours of officer time to co-development of the proposed projects and centre structure, worth £1,997 We then propose for the initial 4 year life of the centre.
• The SYMCA’s Net Zero Project Director will sit on the SYSC’s management board, providing guidance on the regional direction and ensuring the centre meets it’s goal of being embedded in the region’s strategic goals. We anticipate this being an in-kind contribution of 48 hours per year. Valued at £1,997 per year.
• Approximately 120 hours a year of time in kind of staff to attend regional fora convened by the centre, expected to be split across out Transport, Housing, Infrastructure, Business & Skills and Policy Teams. Valued at £3,650 per year.
• To assist with the ongoing development and delivery of projects we will provide a capital fund of £150,000 per year against which research projects can apply to be funded. We envisage this fund will be administered by the centre’s own management board using an agreed set of governance principles which will be determined during the mobilisation phase of the centre project.

Alternative options considered:

Options were considered to provide revenue funding for joint management posts to supervise the operation of the centre.

Publication date: 28/09/2022

Date of decision: 24/11/2021

Accompanying Documents: