Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Members apologies were noted as above.

Declarations of Interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the agenda.

None.

None.

None.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th January were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting.

C Blackburn presented a report and presentation which provided an overview of the Infrastructure Place Packages as set out in the draft Strategic Economic Plan which have been developed with Local Authorities following a series of local workshops.

The meeting was reminded that the Board had previously resolved to support the development of Infrastructure Place Packages with the rationale being to develop an integrated ‘place-based approach’ for accelerating the growth and regeneration of the SCR’s key Growth Areas; as well as being proactive by identifying a robust pipeline of infrastructure schemes which can be ready for delivery once future SCR funding is confirmed.

It was noted the Infrastructure Place Packages have been developed alongside the emerging refreshed Strategic Economic Plan, and so are embedded with the SEP.

It was reported that the outcome of the workshops has been the development of seven specific Growth Area (GA) Infrastructure Place Packages (detailed at Appendix 1 to the report):

•      Rotherham Town Centre

•      Barnsley Town Centre

•      Sheffield City Centre

•      Doncaster Town Centre, Waterfront & Station Gateway

•      Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe & Bolton upon Dearne

•      Sheffield AMID Attercliffe & OLP

•      Rotherham AMID Corridor and Extension

Th supporting presentation commented on the packages in more detail.

It was noted that in addition, a separate piece of work has been ongoing with Doncaster Sheffield Airport to develop an Economic Blueprint for ‘Gateway East’ which will be presented in due course to the LEP Board for consideration.

Regarding next steps, it was proposed that each Growth Area Infrastructure Place Package be developed further with local authorities and other relevant partners to clearly understand and set out the high-level ambitions, outputs and outcomes for each Growth Area and how these will contribute to supporting the delivery of the new SEP and the post Covid-19 recovery.

It was confirmed these Blueprints would be agreed with Leaders prior to developing Strategic Business Cases (SBC) for each ‘Place.’

It was noted four of the Growth Areas are also Town Deal areas, so in these

areas, the Town Deal Investment Plans will help inform the SBC.

It was confirmed the SBCs would be brought back to the Infrastructure Board for consideration prior to recommending for approval by the MCA and Local Authorities.

Consideration was given to ‘cross cutting’ elements such as the installation of better digital infrastructure and domestic and businesses’ energy efficiency, which will also be required to ensure these areas (and the wider South Yorkshire area) can achieve their growth potential.

It was noted that the SBCs would help determine the total funding requirement to deliver the plans for each area and updates were provided on the funding sources already secured for this work and others that could potentially be accessed in the future. It was requested that future reports provide additional comment on what sources of funding are being used to fund each Package.

The meeting discussed the ambition for new rail stations and noted the work underway to deliver these.

RESOLVED, that the Board:

1. Noted and supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A report and presentation were presented by G Bruff to summarise the findings of the SCR Strategic Employment Land Appraisal, which was undertaken in liaison with the SCR Heads of Planning Group.

It was noted the report presents some key findings and recommendations, seeking the views of the Board.

It was noted that as part of the existing Duty to Cooperate, the MCA commissioned the consultant Litchfields to support us in undertaking a Strategic Employment Land Appraisal (SELA) covering the SCR (the wider former SCR LEP Geography), as a shared piece of evidence which appraises the overall supply of employment land across the city region; provides an understanding of the quality of this land and of major strategic sites; and appraises how well the land supply helps to meet the shared ambitions for growth set out in the SCR Strategic Economic Plan (SEP).

The report and appended summary appraisal explained the key findings of the study in detail.

Noting the various statements emerging in respect of sectors and skill levels, the meeting discussed the inherent complexities associated with trying to determine what constitutes or informs our collective understanding around what might be ‘the right kind of jobs’ going forward.  It acknowledged that this is even harder to quantify due to covid 19 impacts and the potential significant changes to working practices which are now occurring. It was agreed the SCR needs a ‘mixed economy’ but it is difficult to know what that mix will be.

It was recognised that in the modern world all sectors are needed, and all attract technology, supply chains, investment and jobs including both low and high skilled jobs.

It was noted some of the districts are still to have their local plans adopted and the future landscape of the SCR needs to be seen as dynamic.

RESOLVED, that the Board:

1. Noted the completion of the Strategic Employment Land Appraisal report and key findings and their implications for the city region.

2. Supported further exploring the recommendations to inform the employment land debate going forward.

A report was received which provided an update on progress in developing the SCR Enterprise Zone.

L Thomas reported the consultancy BNP Paribas Real Estate Ltd were commissioned to undertake the 2020 audit of the SCR Enterprise Zone sites providing an update to the previous 2019 audit. This provides an accurate and complete understanding of the development that has taken place to date on the Enterprise Zone and also outlines changes in the number of employees from the previous audit.

In addition to the EZ sites, information was provided relating to development at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), as a key strategic site. Members were asked to recall there was previously a request to include DSA within the EZ, which was rejected by Government.

A full copy of the audit report was provided.

RESOLVED, that the Board noted the progress in developing the SCR Enterprise Zone.

A report was received to provide the LGF year end 2019/20 position and set-out the 2020/21 LGF programme activity, noting this is the final year of the current six-year LGF programme.

The meeting was reminded the LGF is a 6 year, £360m funding programme secured through three rounds of Local Growth Fund bids and 2020/21 is the final year of funding.

It was reported that two thirds of the 2020/21 LGF grant allocation (£43,238,940) has been received from Government, with the final third subject to confirmation that the full allocation can be spent during the financial year.

Regarding the 2019/20 programme, it was reported the total LGF spend target for 2019/2020 was set at £35.6m. Close working with delivery partners towards the end of the 2019/20 financial year enabled the region to meet and slightly exceed the annual target and the end of year spend position was £36.12m.

The meeting was informed that early indications from contract discussions are that the coronavirus has had an impact on schemes’ delivery with slower delivery, increased costs and lower potential outputs being highlighted.

It was noted that whilst during the early stage of lockdown there was significant uncertainty about the extent of the impact, the monitoring returns on infrastructure projects are due in early June and it is hoped that a clearer picture will then emerge of whether and how projects may be able to complete delivery against current profile.

RESLVED, that the Board:

1.         Noted the 2019/2020 LGF Programme Year End position

2.         Noted the predicted 2020/21 LGF Programme activity.

Provided for information.

Provided for information.

No further matters arising.