Agenda item

A report was presented which summarised the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper and highlighted the implications for the region, MCA and LEP. 

The quality of life and growth opportunities of residents, businesses and places in South Yorkshire could be profoundly impacted upon by how the White Paper was implemented.

Dr Smith thanked those Members that had attended the South Yorkshire Economic Summit that had been held on 9 March 2022, particularly to those Members that had made contributions during the panels and workshops.  The feedback that had been received to date had been extremely positive.   The workshop sessions had also been favourably received and the feedback from debates will shape our policy and action over the coming years.  The remit of the new Innovation Board (which will soon be constituted and announced) will ensure that some of the thinking and approaches are taken forward.  He was pleased to observe the amount of coverage the summit had received, especially via social media. He considered that the way in which the summit had been set out by Mayor Jarvis MBE and L Nickson, together with the response received from A Haldane, had been helpful in exposing the opportunities and challenges brought through the White Paper.

Members noted that Mayor Jarvis MBE had agreed to write to Andy Haldane to thank him for his contributions made to the summit and to seek his support, especially regarding unlocking access to private finance.  Consideration would also be given regarding how to continue the conversation with those that had attended the summit and those who had showed interest but had been unable to attend.

Professor Sir Husbands had chaired the skills session at the summit, which had received positive feedback.  He did not consider that the summit had fully addressed the next course of action.  He noted that he would welcome a discussion at a future LEP Board meeting regarding the next steps and choices that could be undertaken by the Board and others in relation to the themes of skills/finance.

P Kennan had been unable to attend the summit.  He requested Dr Smith to inform Members on the announcement of the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre.

In response, Dr Smith referred to the ongoing work with the University of Sheffield to seek to develop a holistic and workable approach.  The Centre will be driven by a desire to achieve impact, backed by the evidence, while being sensitive to the potential consequences of the transition.   

In relation to the plenary session on finance at the summit, M Faulks referred to the suggestion that the best approach for any South Yorkshire based company that sought finance, was to open a branch office in London, and that the evaluation of the equivalent company would be twice higher than that in South Yorkshire.  He referred to the innovation centres within South Yorkshire, and he considered that the messaging and promotion of which should be a key activity.  He considered that the summit had been very positive.

Councillor Sir Houghton CBE commented that a draft Skills Strategy will be ready in early Summer 2022.  He noted the need to maximise opportunities over the next 5 years for the existing workforce and business, and to ascertain what could be undertaken over the longer term to transform the performance of South Yorkshire.

D Fell referred to the positive feedback that had been received following the summit.  He was pleased to observe the different parts of South Yorkshire that had celebrated each other.  However, he considered that there had been a lack of diversity within the panels and time keeping.  For future years’ summits, he suggested that they should strive for greater interaction.

L Nickson referred to the need for greater diversity on future panels and access to the finance session.  She had observed the huge enthusiasm for the summit which had presented the opportunity to bring everyone together.  She considered that the summit had addressed the collective leadership and visibility of the LEP in terms of the role which was required, and she hoped that the summit could be built upon moving forwards.

RESOLVED – That Members noted the summary of the White Paper and considered implications for the LEP and for South Yorkshire.