Agenda item

A report was presented on the North West Coastal Arc Partnership for Clean and Sustainable Growth.

It was reported that in the autumn of 2015, the UK Government had announced regional Science and Innovation Audits in order to catalyse a new approach to regional economic development. Science and Innovation Audits enable local consortia to focus on analysing regional strengths and identifying mechanisms to realise their potential.

The North West Coastal Arc Partnership for Clean and Sustainable Growth was formed in 2017, to focus on the North West's strength in science and innovation for Clean and Sustainable Growth. The report presented the results which included broad ranging analysis of the North West Coastal Arc Clean and Sustainable Growth Partnership's capabilities, the challenges and substantial opportunities for future economic growth.

The Board was advised that the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership was a named partner in the North West Coastal Arc.

It was noted that the Science and Innovation Audit provided the evidence base to demonstrate that the North West Coastal Arc was exceptionally well-positioned to lead globally to drive forward the economic and environmental benefits of Clean and Sustainable Growth.

The audit identified the following five key opportunities emerging from our vision for Clean and Sustainable Growth:

·  Communicating the economic importance of Clean and Sustainable Growth;

·  Improving connectivity between the regions assets for Clean and Sustainable Growth;

·  Enhanced support for connecting business to global markets;

·  Training regional talent to support and lead Clean and Sustainable Growth;

·  Freedom and flexibility in supporting industrial Research and Development for Clean and Sustainable Growth, particularly in small and medium enterprises.

It was noted that Clean Growth had been established for two years and Lancashire was the leading low carbon innovator in the UK.

The hypothesis of the North West Coastal Arc Partnership was to realise its potential as a global market leader for low carbon and sustainable products, processes and services through greater networking, integration and connectivity across the whole of the region's research base and business community, beyond that which exists in the its current networks.

The collective vision was to translate world class research via innovation for Clean and Sustainable Growth in order to create regional economic value.

The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation was vital. It was launched in 2012 and had £17m funding to date. It was challenge led and solution driven. The Board was informed that the Centre demanded an interdisciplinary approach. Eco-innovation was the engine for Clean Growth. The Centre focused on measurable economic values and outputs.

It was important for businesses to grow and have an environmental impact at the same time.

From its 12 month analysis the NWCA had to identify its gaps that limited its ability to connect current capabilities with future market opportunities. Some of the gaps included:

·  A poor understanding of the opportunities for Clean and Sustainable Growth.

·  Lack of connectivity across the region's assets for research, development and demonstration

·  A substantial skills gap at all levels in sectors relevant to Clean and Sustainable Growth.

·  Limited use of the partner's international networks to maximise shared benefits.

·  Poor integration in funding research and innovation in Clean and Sustainable Growth.

There were opportunities for the partnership to communicate the economic importance of clean and sustainable growth and also create an International Centre of Excellence for Clean and Sustainable Growth. There was also an opportunity for enhanced support for connecting business to global markets. There were possibilities for training regional talent through a virtual Clean Growth Training Academy. There would also be flexibility and freedom to operate at regional scales beyond LEP boundaries.

The partnership wanted to improve connectivity between the region's assets for Clean and Sustainable Growth and there was an existing opportunity for a more joined up approach to the region's existing research, development, demonstration and co-location facilities. 

The work done by the partnership had been presented to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in December 2018 and had been well received. It was pointed out that the document needed to include reference to specialist sector support and that it was vital to unlock the economic potential of Lancashire.

In September 2019 there was a planned Centre for Global Eco-Innovation Conference which would provide a public facing platform to communicate further steps.

It was felt that if funding was available, universities could help answer business challenges. There needed to large commercial backing in the area regarding technology.

Resolved:

  i.  The contents of the report and accompanying presentation be noted.

  ii.  That the North West Coastal Arc Science and Innovation Audit Report be presented to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board.