Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were noted as above. 

·         In relation to any agenda item

·         In relation to any activity since the last formal meeting

·         In relation to any forthcoming activity

None noted. 

The notes of the previous meeting were agreed to be an accurate record.

A report and presentation was delivered to provide the Board with outline plans for the development of the AMRC. 

The Board was reminded that the University of Sheffield had been a key stakeholder in the development of the SEP, especially around the focus on innovation. Through analysing the evidence for the SEP, it was clear that the LEP needed to ensure that a much wider set of businesses, supply chains and SMEs benefit from innovation. To boost productivity and accelerate the pace of growth, a greater focus on translational research is required. The benefits of this approach will only be realised if all partners work together to foster a culture of innovation, at scale, across the city region.

The Board noted that the MCA/LEP was working with MIT to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Yorkshire to enable the growth that the economy needs. The collaboration and focus of the MIT approach had been incorporated into the AMRC’s new strategy.

Steve Foxley, Director of the AMRC delivered a presentation which provided background information and achievements made during Chapter 1 of the AMRC (2000 – 2019) where the AMRC’s main purpose had been to “create sustainable wealth for all”. 

In developing an updated Strategy for the AMRC (Chapter 2, 2020-2030),   the Board were provided details of the inclusive and transparent consultation process which had been undertaken to develop the updated Strategy.

The purpose of Chapter 2, would be focused upon we “make” things better:

·           By creating sustainable wealth for all;

·           By always looking ahead;

·           By leading manufacturing towards a smart, sustainable and resilient future; and

·           By being disruptive.

The Board were provided with details of the AMRC’s unique selling points, which included its proven track record of regeneration, creating eco systems and communities, taking a lead, taking a risk and by seeing things others don’t. 

The goals of AMRC in Chapter 2 were presented and noted as follows:

1.      To become the UK’s first fully connected, open access digital manufacturing testbed for any sector. 

2.      Create a world leading UK Circular Factory Demonstrator and Testbed.

3.      Support global zero carbon goals – develop whole product lifecycle capabilities for future propulsion systems (hydrogen, high power density battery, bio-fuels.

4.      Deliver a step change in productivity:

i)   By ensuring collectively with our partners that 75% of MRLG projects make tangible impact to production.  

ii)  By levelling up the productivity in the North; regenerating other forgotten northern towns.

iii)By improving UK manufacturing resilience and thereby also improving productivity. 

The Board were provided with the Strategy Focus Areas to be included in AMRC Chapter 2.  This included details of work post Covid-19, the Core Strategy (where the AMRC assign 70% of its resources, efforts, funding and management time) and details on the Adjacent / Transformational Strategy.

The Chair asked if a summary note could be produced and circulated to the Board after today’s meeting setting out how high value manufacturing catapult systems work in the UK.  ACTION: D Smith  

D Fell noted that aviation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

A report was presented to provide the Board with an update on the SCR Renewal Action Plan. 

The Board was reminded that the SCR Renewal Action Plan (RAP) was approved by the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) on 27 July 2020, following endorsement by the LEP Board.

The RAP focuses on three high-level objectives:

·           People - we will invest to ensure local people have the opportunity to develop their skills, and to find, stay and progress in work.

·           Employers - We will invest to ensure employers can survive, adapt and thrive.

·           Places - We will invest to create jobs and thriving places, in a way that reduces inequality and enhances our environment. 

Following approval by the MCA Board, the Thematic Boards were tasked with steering the development of Implementation Plans to deliver the RAP objectives and priorities.

The Skills and Employment Board is guiding the development of the People Implementation Plan; the Business Growth Board is leading the development of the Employers Implementation Plan, and the Housing, Infrastructure and Transport Boards are developing implementation plans for the Place interventions identified in the RAP and Purpose of Report.

F Kumi-Ampofo provided the Board with a verbal update on progress made to date in developing the Implementation Plans and challenges currently faced. 

The Board noted that funding availability and capacity to deliver were currently presenting a challenge.  Until additional resource from central Government is identified, the LEP and MCAs primary focus would need to be on delivering those interventions identified for the Relief phase (immediate and short-term) in the RAP, and which can be delivered with available resources.

The Board noted that the RAP Implementation Plans would be presented to the LEP and MCA Boards in November for approval and delivery would begin as soon as funds are available and allocated. Work was currently underway to secure more funds to deliver more of the RAP and the draft SEP. 

RESOLVED – That the Board noted the progress made and provided any comments and suggestions they deem appropriate, on how the Renewal Action Plan should be implemented.

A report and presentation was delivered to provide Members with an overview of the project pipeline in development; including indigenous business projects to support the growth of established South Yorkshire businesses and new investment projects from outside the Region and the UK.

The report also provided the rationale for the approach and considered what needed to be developed in order to secure both these investments and stimulate further opportunities. 

G Morgan delivered a presentation which informed the Board that there were currently 29 live new Inward Investment projects in the pipeline. These investment projects had a value of £760 million and were forecast to create 6000 jobs in the region over the next few years if all are landed and successfully delivered. 

The Board recommended that a targeted and systematic Strategy be developed to engage companies to invest in the City Region both in the short and long term.  The Board considered that there was a need to attract other investors to create a cluster effect. 

The Chair requested that future LEP Board agendas contain a standing item to provide the Board with updates on the pipeline of business growth schemes.  ACTION: E Hickey

The Board agreed that they would discuss indigenous businesses at a future meeting. 

RESOLVED – That the Board considered and discussed the approach to the development of the business growth pipeline.

NB. AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING, THE BOARD WAS NO LONGER QUORATE.

A report was presented to provide an update on the current LGF programme position and recommends selection of one scheme onto the LGF Programme in order that a Full Business Case may be developed.

The current programme position was noted as follows:

·            £128.6m of projects have now completed.

·            £193.7m of projects are currently in delivery.

·            £5m has been approved for projects which are in the process of satisfying conditions prior to contract.

Cumulatively this gave a total commitment of £327.3m. In addition, there was a ringfenced scheme within the programme pipeline totalling a further £40.1m.

The Board was asked to consider giving preliminary approval for Company 0208 to enter into the LGF Programme to develop a Full Business Case.

The Board was informed that Company 0208 was seeking c£130k support from the LEP with regard to its growth plans including additional jobs and relocation from out of area into Barnsley.

The total cost of the project was £665k and the scheme would create 10-15 new FTE jobs. In order to evaluate the proposal and consider its value to the economy against any public sector investment the company would need to be adopted into the pipeline of the LGF programme. 

The Board gave its preliminary approval for Company 0208 to enter into the LGF Programme to develop a Full Business Case.

It was noted that approval would also be sought from Board Members Councillor Sir Steve Houghton, Mayor Ros Jones, Mayor Dan Jarvis and Councillor Chris Read. 

RESOLVED – That the Board gave its preliminary approval for Company 0208 to enter into the LGF Programme to develop a Full Business Case.

A report was submitted to update Members of the proposed changes to the MCA Thematic Board arrangements.

The Board noted that the proposed new operating model would be based on the principle of the Thematic Board Co-chairs from the LEP and MCA, supported by cabinet members from the Districts, with Chief Executives providing advice to the Co-chairs.

Each Board will own and lead on a policy theme and will be supported by MCA Officers in order to shape, craft and direct positions early and in advance of formal decision making.

The proposed new Thematic Board structure and membership of each Thematic Board was set of out paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 of the report.

Paragraph 2.4 of the report set out the initial LEP Board representation/Membership.  It was noted that the MCA Meeting on the 27th September would determine the SCR Leader and Chief Executive representation. 

The Board discussed the proposals and a consensus was reached that, the new Thematic Boards should not meet in the public domain and continue to hold meetings in private. 

In the interests of openness and transparency, the Board agreed that the publication of agendas and minutes of the new Thematic Boards should continue to be published on the SCR website. 

The Board considered that the frequency of Thematic Board meetings should be determined by each Board’s Co-Chairs. 

New LEP Board Members who were currently not assigned to a Thematic Board requested that they be kept up to date informally on the work of each Thematic Board’s progress.

RESOLVED – That Board Members noted the proposed changes to the MCA Thematic Boards and provided comments on the proposals.

A report was presented to provide Members with an update on key Mayoral activity relating to the economic agenda.

Updates were provided on:

·           The COVID pandemic and adapting to our ‘new normal’.

·           The South Yorkshire Devolution Deal now being enshrined in law.

·           Securing additional powers and resources to deliver the Renewal Action Plan and build back better, and

·           Details on a new Tree Planting Partnership.

RESOLVED – That the Board noted the update.

A report was presented to provide Members with a general update on activity being undertaken by the LEP outside of the agenda items under discussion.

Updates were provided on:

·           The Strategic Economic Plan and Recovery Plan Consultation.

·           The Skills Advisory Network.

·           LEP Board recruitment.

·           The Comprehensive Spending Review, and

·           The Covid Economic Response - Business Group.

RESOLVED – That the Board noted the update.