Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Edwin Booth, welcomed all to the meeting.  Apologies were received from County Councillor Geoff Driver, Councillor Simon Blackburn, Mike Blackburn and Khalid Saifullah.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th April 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

None

Councillor Phil Riley declared an interest in Agenda Item 7 – Growth Deal Funding Approval and Update Report, as a Blackburn with Darwen Borough Councillor his authority had submitted the Furthergate Scheme for consideration.  It was agreed that Councillor Riley could remain present for the item but would not take part in voting on the item.

Presentation by LEP Director, Professor Mark Smith

Professor Mark Smith, LEP Director and Vice-Chancellor Lancaster University, provided a presentation to the Board regarding Lancashire's Innovation Priorities and UK Research and Innovation.

Mark highlighted that that the presentation was related to minute item 6 from the last meeting – Strategic Economic Plan Refresh and was part of the development of the refreshed plan.

It was reported that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was launched in April 2018 and is the new funding organisation for research and innovation in the UK.

It brings together the seven UK research councils, Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England, all working closely with its partner organisations in the devolved administrations.

There is over £6bn in combined budget per year for investment in research and innovation.  The objectives of UKRI are split into three overlapping categories – Knowledge, Society and Economy to create an outstanding organisation that ensures the UK maintains its world leading position in research and innovation.

The presentation also highlighted the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund which aims to bring together the UK's world leading research base with business to meet the major industrial and societal challenges of our time, and, UKRI Strength in Place Fund which aims to support collaborative programmes based on research and innovation excellence in places right across the UK.

Whilst not a pre-requisite for applicants to have previously completed an Science and Innovation Audit (SIA) and the Strength in Place Fund is not a follow on fund for SIA support, SIA data is seen as part of the evidence that consortia may draw upon, dependent on the economic geography making the bid.

With regard to flexible economic geography consortia are expected to self-determine the spatial geography that projects will focus on.

The scope of activities was highlighted and what was considered to be in / out of scope.

In terms of timescales, successful projects will be fully funded from 2019/20, the Expression of Interest (EOI) closing date for applications is 25^th July 2018.  Full stage successful EOIs will receive seed corn funding (£50k) to develop full stage bids from mid-October 2018. Successful full stage projects are expected to be announced early Summer 2019.

An update was also provided on the Lancashire and Sheffield City Region Science and Innovation Audit.  This included recommendations to build on success, scale up and new opportunities.  It was noted that between Sheffield City Region and Lancashire lie the components required to equip the UK to deliver the vision of the 4^th industrial revolution.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board received, noted and endorsed the presentation regarding Lancashire's Innovation Priorities and UKRI Opportunities.

Andy Milroy, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) which provided the LEP Board with LEP Governance and recent Committee meeting updates.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board

(i)  Noted the updates provided in the report in relation to Governance and the Committees of the LEP.

(ii)  Approved the revised Terms of Reference for the LEP Performance Committee as attached at Appendix 'A'; and

(iii)  Approved the revised Terms of Reference for the LEP Skills and Employment Board attached at Appendix 'B' and authorised Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director of the Lancashire Skills Hub and Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development and Planning, to develop an appropriate selection process to identify a Head Teacher with a recommended appointment them submitted to the LEP Board for approval.

Kathryn Molloy, Head of LEP Co-ordination, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) which contained Growth Deal Funding updates and items for approval.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board

(i)  Approved a maximum funding allocation of £3.44m to the Pennine Gateways – Furthergate Link Road scheme; and

(ii)  Approved the Growth Deal reporting submission to the Cities and Local Growth Unit for Quarter 4 (January to March) 2017/18 Quarterly Reporting Summary Dashboard as set out as Appendix 'A'.

Kathryn Molloy presented a report (circulated) which provided the Board with an update on Marketing and Communications Activity since the last Board meeting.

The Board was reminded that Marketing Lancashire has been commissioned by the LEP to undertake a number of marketing and communication activities to promote the LEP.  The new Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire – Rachel McQueen – was in attendance and was introduced to the Board.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board noted the activity undertaken and endorsed the forthcoming PR Opportunities as presented.

Verbal update – Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development and Planning, Lancashire County Council

Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development and Planning, Lancashire County Council, gave an oral update on the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) refresh.

It was reported that Lancashire Leaders has arranged to meet on 24^th July to discuss co-production of the Plan with a view to reviewing priorities.  Work will continue with Lancashire Leaders to shape the SEP with a further update on progress provided at the next LEP Board meeting.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board noted the Strategic Economic Plan update and endorsed the co-production of the plan with Lancashire Leaders.

Angie Ridgwell, Chief Executive and Director of Resources, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) which provided an update on Lancashire Combined Authority Developments.

It was noted that Lancashire Leaders had written to the Secretary of State in April 2018 updating on progress and seeking clarification on a number of matters.

Lancashire Leaders wish to create a model that work for all in Lancashire and enter into discussions with ministers on areas of commonality.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership noted the report and agreed to continue to support Lancashire Leaders as appropriate with regard to Lancashire Combined Authority developments.

Kathryn Molloy provided an update on Cultural Funding and how Lancashire should be positioned, it was noted that work will be undertaken with Marketing Lancashire to take this forward with further updates provided to the LEP Board in due course.

Edwin Booth provided an update on a recent Council of LEP Chairs meeting with the Prime Minister.

The next LEP Board meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6^th November 2018, 4:30pm, County Hall, Preston.

Board Members are asked to note the proposed programme of meetings for 2019 as set out below:

Tuesday 22nd January 2019 – 4.30pm

Tuesday 30th April 2019 - 4.30pm

Tuesday 25th June 2019 – 4.30pm

Tuesday 12th November 2019 – 4.30pm

The LEP Board are asked to consider and approve the programme of meetings for 2019 as set out.

It was noted that the next LEP Board meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6^th November 2018, 4:30pm at County Hall, Preston.

In addition, the Board approved the programme of meetings for 2019 as follows:

Tuesday 22^nd January 2019 – 4.30pm

Tuesday 30^th April 2019 – 4.30pm

Tuesday 25^th June 2019 – 4.30pm

Tuesday 12^th November 2019 – 4.30pm

All meetings to be held at County Hall, Preston.

At this point the LEP Board approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential, to consider the remaining report as it contained information defined as confidential or exempt in accordance with the relevant paragraph of Part I to schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as set out in the report. It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Kathryn Molloy and Jonathan Dixon, Blue Sky, presented a report (circulated) and gave a presentation regarding the Establishment of an Urban Development Fund for Lancashire.

Resolved: Following consideration of the report and presentation, in Part II (Private and Confidential) the LEP Board:

(i)  Considered and comment on the contents of this report, including the proposed principles of the Urban Development Fund.

(ii)  Approved Option 2 as the preferred option for delivery of an Urban Development Fund in Lancashire based on the findings of the financial model prepared by Blue Sky and presented to the Board at this meeting.

(iii)  Considered and approved the proposal to allocate a proportion of the LEP's Growing Places Investment Fund capital to support the management of the Urban Development Fund whilst capital and interset is repaid.

(iv)  Delegated authority to the LEP's Executive Committee to undertake further work to establish an Urban Development Fund, and, agreed to appoint LEP Director Mark Rawstron to support Lancashire County Council and LEP officers in discussions with the county council as proposed applicant and Entrusted Entity, including the submission of an application form to MHCLG following discussions with the county council, subject to a positive outcome of the meeting of the county council's Cabinet on 9 August 2018; and

(v)  Agreed to receive future updates on the progress made in establishing an Urban Development Fund for Lancashire.

Jonathan Dixon left the meeting at this point.

Kathryn Molloy presented a report (circulated) regarding the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Financial Outturn Position for 2017/18 and Draft Operational Budget for 2018/19.

Resolved: Following consideration of the report, in Part II (Private and Confidential) the LEP Board:

(i)  Noted the contents of the report including the outturn position of the 2017/18 Operational Budget.

(ii)  Considered and approved the final draft LEP Operational Budget for 2018/19; and

(iii)  Noted the balance statement for the LEP's Growing Places Investment Fund.