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: