Agenda item

A report was presented which set out a proposal to establish a South Yorkshire Innovation Board (SYIB), which would be tasked with leading on operationalising the innovation and productivity enhancing activity set out in the region’s Strategic Economic Plan. 

Mayor Jarvis MBE considered that the establishment of an SYIB was a sensible proposal.  He commented that from a national Government perspective, innovation was crucial to addressing the productivity challenges and a key element from the Levelling Up Agenda.  He had raised the matter recently in Parliament with George Freeman, Minister for Science and Innovation, who was enthusiastic of the capabilities to be offered by South Yorkshire.

Councillor Fox welcomed the report.  He sought clarification as to how the SYIB would link together the four local authorities to enable collaborative working.  He queried whether matters could be explored further to ascertain whether there would be a financial cost to establishing an SYIB.

In response, A Gates commented that discussions would be undertaken to ensure that the SYIB had the correct membership.  The feedback received from the recent Business Advisory Group had highlighted the importance to consider the business spatial level i.e. clustering, which would have an impact across the four local authorities. 

A Foulkes wished to observe that the SYIB had a clear synergy with the emerging skills strategy.  She suggested that the major skills providers should be included within the SYIB as both a vehicle and place, and for the skills to be merged earlier across people and places within the region.

P Kennan was fully supportive of the establishment of a SYIB.  He referred to a number of the statistics within the budget, which stated that the national research and development had totalled approximately £26bm per year.  However, the tax credit claims made for R&D based on innovation had last year totalled £47.5bn.  He considered that membership of the SYIB should include accountancy firms, lawyers and specialist advisors to ensure that all of the innovative information was addressed.

Professor Husbands was supportive of the establishment of a SYIB, however he expressed concern that there was no funding available.  He queried how the terms of reference were likely to cover the gap as identified within the report.

N MacDonald referred to the Business Advisory Group which met on a regular basis and consisted of a wide range of business representative bodies, which was Co-Chaired by D Fell and himself.  At a recent meeting of the group, the establishment of a SYIB was unanimously approved, however the issue of resourcing was raised.  The Business Advisory Group considered that it was essential for the SYIB to be private sector led, and for it to engage with the private sector moving forwards.  He added that the SYIB should address the SME issues, and to ensure that the spatial dynamics were correct.

Professor Petley endorsed the suggestion that the SYIB must be private sector led and dominated, whilst avoiding the creation of a large and complex board.  He made a plea to the LEP Board and the wider community to quickly create a SYIB, which would be effective, reasonably sized and private sector led.

R Stubbs referred to the need for a better narrative, which he suggested should become a task of the SYIB.  He highlighted the importance to ensure that the SYIB did not become another LEP Board, and to ensure that its purpose was to focus on innovation and to ensure that it linked into the other aspects.  He considered that the SYIB would become the strategic alignment setter for the work to be undertaken.

K Josephs highlighted the need for a credible private sector led voice for innovation in the region.  She endorsed the comments made regarding the SYIB being private sector led.

Dr Smith also agreed with the comments made, and he added that the delivery of the SYIB was in relation to a whole range of activities.  He considered that the SYIB would address the issue for the region to attract and retain the correct range of quantum of private finance available to support business growth.

The Chair expressed her thanks to Members for the discussion, which had identified very broad support for the establishment of a SYIB, whilst noting the pace and the work to be undertaken in terms of the practical steps.

In terms of the next steps, A Gates commented that matters would be progressed further.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

i)        Approved the recommendation at 3.1 of the report to establish a South Yorkshire Innovation Board.

Considered and informed the proposed objectives, membership and the headline terms of reference set out in sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 of the report.