Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, David Taylor, welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Geoff Driver, Councillor Simon Blackburn and Mark Rawstron.

It was noted that Councillor Simon Blackburn had nominated Councillor Mark Smith as his representative with County Councillor Geoff Driver nominating County Councillor Michael Green as his representative.

None

Resolved: The Enterprise Zone Governance committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on the 3^rd June 2019 as an accurate record and they were duly signed by the chairman.

None

None

None

The next meeting is scheduled for 10.00am on 18 December 2019 in Committee Room B, County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next Enterprise Zone Governance Committee meeting was scheduled to be held at 10.00am on 18 December 2019 in Committee Room B, County Hall, Preston.

The Committee is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

At this point the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential, to consider the remaining reports as they 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.

Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zones, Blackpool Council, presented a private and confidential report (circulated) which provided the committee with an update on Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

The update included progress with the Enterprise Zone's Masterplan, current Phase One activity, the Eastern Gateway Access Road, Link Road, Common Edge Sports Village, Initial development, Planning Applications, Industrial Estate, Communications Infrastructure, Marketing, Blackpool Airport, Third Party Development, Project team and the Risk Register.

Committee Members provided feedback on each area of activity and direction on future developments.

The committee were informed that there had been a number of significant changes impacting on the deliverability of the original masterplan since the committee last met which has required it being substantially reworked. The reworked version of this would be presented to the next meeting of the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee for approval.

The Committee discussed the business rate relief which is due to expire on the 31^st March 2022 with the enhanced capital allowance due to expire in November 2023. It was noted that discussions are therefore planned to gauge the Government's willingness to consider possible extensions on the fiscal extensions and identify any actions and approaches that may be required to enable consideration.

It was noted that a task and finish group had been established to help with the strategy and approach to data using industries and it was noted that an update in the form of a presentation will be provided at the next Enterprise Zone Governance meeting.

Blackpool Council continue to work in partnership with Marketing Lancashire to develop the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone pages of the LAMEC website and noted that they require some guidance on moving forward to the next stage with LAMEC webpage.

It was highlighted that to date 189 live enquiries are currently logged for Blackpool Enterprise Zone, with more than 280 having been received since the Enterprise Zone went live. 62 businesses have located to the Enterprise Zone since April 2016 and a total of 1,474 jobs have located to the Enterprise Zone including jobs to the area, safeguarded jobs within Blackpool and construction full time equivalent jobs.

Including new jobs there have been 1,400 jobs created in total with some left which is relatively successful.

It was noted that it would be beneficial to collate information across all Enterprise Zones with regarding to business rates relief and present this to government. 

Resolved:

  i.  That the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee noted the progress report as presented.

  ii.  That the revised masterplan be presented to the next Enterprise Zone Governance Committee meeting for comment/approval

  iii.  That officers be requested to arrange a specific meeting to collate information from all the Enterprise Zones to provide a co-ordinated request to Government regarding business rates relief.

  iv.  That a dialog with Marketing Lancashire be arranged by officers though the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee in regards to the next steps with the LAMEC webpage. 

Rob Green, presented a private and confidential report (circulated) which provided the committee with an update on Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

The report included an update on activity since the last meeting in regards to the implementation plan, marketing, site activity, job creation and forthcoming activity.  Committee Members provided feedback on each area of activity.

It was noted that first site has now gone through planning and that promotional drone footage had been developed. It was confirmed that the video will be made available to all Enterprise Zone occupants and used for marketing purposes on various websites.

An update on the site activity was provided to the Enterprise Zone Governance committee as set out in the report.

It was noted that as a result of the evidence based work undertaken there has been an increase in the number of jobs created on site this quarter with a high number of construction jobs to be created next quarter.

Resolved:

That the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee noted the overall progress update provided for the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

Chris Dyson, Strategic Development Programme Manager, Lancashire County Council, presented a private and confidential report (circulated) which provided the committee with an update on Samlesbury Aerospace and Warton Aviation Enterprise Zones.

In regards to Samlesbury the achievements to date were presented noting the Phase 1 infrastructure investment package had included the construction of a public highway between the A59 and the A677 providing access to the BAE Academy for Skills and Knowledge and the Wincanton Defence Logistics Centre.  Committee Members noted that BAE have stepped up that programme which has strengthened links.

It was noted that the offsite highways programme was complete which consisted of traffic calming measures noting that they want to keep a strong relationship with the community and that there have been 3000 native trees planted on the site and that the take uptake rate will be which may provide an opportunity for some comms.

It was noted that the Phase 1 infrastructure was now complete and that Phase 2 was underway. The committee requested that regular updates be provided throughout Phase 2.

A further update on the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the Asset Management Facility was provided.

With regards to Warton it was noted that two companies that have been in occupation at the site since 2015.

It was noted that strategic discussions are continuing between officers to discuss opportunities at Warton to complement and builds on existing high value activity to support the development of Lancashire's Local Industrial Strategy.

Resolved:

The Enterprise Zone Governance Committee noted the contents of the report and the updates provided on Samlesbury and Warton Enterprise Zones.