Agenda and minutes

David Taylor (deputising for Edwin Booth) welcomed members and apologies were received from Edwin Booth and Malcolm McVicar.

No declarations of interest were made in relation to items on the agenda.

Resolved: That Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2017 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

There were no matters arising.

Presented by: Antony Lockley

Antony Lockley, Blackpool Council, provided the Committee with a verbal update on the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Development Company (EDC Board) confirmed membership.

It was confirmed to members that the EDC Board would be disestablished and would form an Economic Prosperity Board (EPB). 

Members were advised that the terms of reference for the Board have been drafted and further dialogue was to be held with the Leader of Lancashire County Council on their possible membership. It was confirmed that the membership would include an equal number of private sector members and will be consulting with partners in the coming months.

It was reported that they were looking to hold the first meeting of the Board in mid to late autumn.

Resolved: That the verbal update be noted.

None.

Next meeting of the Committee to be held Tuesday 10 October 2017 at 10am, venue to be confirmed

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee was 10am on 10 October 2017, venue to be confirmed.

(Not for publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

Members were provided with an update on the progress of the Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Cluster (LAMEC). The report focussed on progress in the following areas:

·  the development and implementation of the LAMEC brand including strategic marketing activity and the development of marketing collateral to promote the offer of the four EZ sites within the cluster;

·  implementation of enquiry handling arrangements;

·  the proposal to appoint a single commercial agent to market the cluster; and

·  financial modelling work to capture new EZ Business Rates growth over the lifetime of the EZ cluster.

In relation to financial modelling, it was reported that a proposal was being considered to establish a small working group to understand the potential financial investment to be generated by the EZs and also any investment requirements required to deliver the EZ sites.

Members highlighted a need to understand performance monitoring and benchmarking and it was agreed that both points were key. It was confirmed that benchmarking and baselines were being established.

Resolved: That;

  i.  Contents of the report be noted

  ii.  Chair of the EZGC be authorised, with support from officers from the LEP and Marketing Lancashire, to meet with BAE Systems to better understand BAE Systems' current proposals and future plans in support of the Warton EZ, with a detailed update provided to the next meeting of the EZGC

  iii.  Officers from the LEP be authorised to work with LCC's legal and procurement teams, in conjunction with the relevant officers of Blackpool Council and Wyre Council, to determine the most suitable procurement route to appoint a land agent(s) for the Warton, Blackpool Airport and Hillhouse EZ's

  iv.  Report be received outlining the options for procurement of a land agent(s) at the next meeting of the EZGC, and

  v.  LEP officers be requested, working with relevant finance and economic development officers at LCC, Blackpool Council and Wyre Council, to provide an analysis of the potential new Business Rates income which could be generated through the delivery of the four sites in Lancashire's EZ Cluster programme.

(Not for publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

Rob Green, Blackpool Council presented the report to members which informed members of the progress in the development of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

(Not for publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

Rob Green, Blackpool Council, presented the report to the Committee which outlined the progress made in the development of Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone which included: 

·  The potential future for Blackpool Airport

·  The opening of the Energy HQ in September

·  Confirmation that the masterplan would be substantially agreed by the next meeting

Resolved: That the report be noted.

(Not for publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

A presentation was provided to members on the progress of Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone.  Information provided to the Committee included the following:

·  There has been significant inward investment from the supply chain.

·  It was confirmed that the access road through the site would be completed by September/October.

·  In relation to the ASK facility, it was reported that there was an opportunity to extend services out to other businesses in Lancashire.

·  A further report will be presented to the LEP in November 2017.

In relation to next steps, it was confirmed that work was ongoing with external consultants with a further update to be provided at the next meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Standing item

Members discussed the reporting to the next Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board.

Resolved: That the performance metrics be captured for presentation to the Board.