Issue - meetings

A report was received requesting approval of an inward investment scheme with a total value over all years of £8m and seeking delegated authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the S73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the schemes.

Members discussed the importance of having and adhering to a robust prioritisation process (based on HMT Green Book processes) to determine which schemes receive prioritised approval for funding. Examples were provided explaining how the SCR complies with these principles. The respective roles of the LEP and MCA in respect of approving projects were discussed, noting that the LEP was responsible for prioritising projects and the MCA’s role, as Accountable Body, related to assuring, through the Assurance Framework, that any given proposed funding offered value for money and was lawful.

Mayor Jones abstained from voting on the decision to approve the recommendations.

RESOLVED, that the MCA approves the  inward investment scheme (Project Chorus) with a total value over all years of £8m, subject to the conditions set out in the report, and agrees delegated authority be given to  the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the S73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the schemes.

A report was received requesting the Board accepts a project (Project Chorus) onto the LGF Programme in order to develop a Full Business Case for further consideration.

It was noted the report is not a request for funding approval, as any such decision would be taken by the MCA.

The report noted Project Chorus is a company who are initially seeking to establish a research and development facility to develop the next generation of antennae for satellite control systems. This will create c358 mostly high value jobs. A second phase will establish a manufacturing facility in the city region, creating a wide range of additional jobs.

It was noted the total value of the R&D phase is £18m with a LGF grant requested of £8m and if approved by the LEP onto the programme (and the MCA in respect of whether it is agreed to allocate funding), the company has identified temporary premises and could commence operations in the city region as early as January 2020.

It was noted this investment has been assessed at the strategic case and represents good value for money this will be enhanced when the manufacturing facility is delivered.

Members questioned the relationship between the 2 phases and whether agreeing phase 1 ties the SCR into approving phase 2 at some stage.

Mayor Jones highlighted the information to be presented at item 7 noting we currently have to manage a significant over-programming situation. Members were reminded the decision being sought today is just in respect of whether to include this project in the notional programme, with the MCA to determine whether this scheme will ultimately receive funding in the context of the other schemes vying for LGF awards.

Further information was provided to explain and support the potential significance of this scheme.

Mayor Jones suggested the LGF overprogramming position should have been considered prior to considering the acceptance of this scheme onto the programme and recommendation to the MCA.

RESOLVED, that the Board approves ‘Project Chorus’ onto the LGF pipeline Programme.