Agenda and minutes

Michael Ahern, Interim Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made by all in attendance.

Apologies had been received from Julia Johnson and Katherine O'Connor.

Alan Cavill declared an interest in item 9, specifically in the Blackpool Airport EZ and Blackpool Conference Centre projects.

Michael Ahern declared an interest in item 9, specifically in the EIC Drone Command Centre project.

Martin Kelly declared an interest in item 9, specifically in the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council led projects and the Lomeshaye project.

Julie Whittaker declared an interest in item 9, specifically in the Pendle Borough Council led projects.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2019 be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

There were no matters arising that were not on the agenda.

Resolved: that at the next meeting of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board it should be reported that:

1.  Officers are commencing re-payment processes for Phase 1 of the Spinning Point project, and that the balance for Phase 2 would be returned to the programme for reallocation

2.  The allocation of £0.800m to the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone project is recommended

3.  That, once funds become available, the allocation of £1.341m to the EIC Drone Command Centre project is recommended

There was no other business.

The next meeting will be held at 1.30pm on 03 June 2020 in Exchange Room 9.

The next meeting was scheduled to be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday 03 June 2020 in Exchange Room 9, 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 Growth Deal Management Board approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential, to consider the remaining agenda items 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 each report or presentation. It was considered that in all circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Anne-Marie Parkinson, LEP Investment Programme Manager, presented the programme and project update report.

It was noted that at the LEP's Annual Performance Review in early January 2020 the element in relation to the delivery of the Growth Deal programme had received a provisional rating of 'good'. The committee thanked the team for their hard work.

Five grant funding agreements were presented for approval and, after discussion and questions on each, the Committee agreed to approve all five as presented. It was also noted that up to five further Grant Funding Agreements were expected to be circulated to the Committee for approval via written resolution over the next month.

The Committee received an update on the M55 St Annes Link Road and was informed that an issue had arisen in relation to the funding of the project. It had since been agreed in consultation with the Chairman of the LEP Board that the final deadline was 20 March 2020 after which time the project funding would be returned to the Growth Deal and considered unallocated.

With regard to the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate Extension Phase 2 project it was reported that due to a change of circumstances the project was unable to continue. Reduced or amended schemes had been considered, but after collaborative discussion it had been concluded that the project could not proceed. However, as the site was considered to have key strategic value it was suggested that consideration be given to reallocating funding from Phase 2 of the project to Phase 1, with any remaining balance being allocated to the Northlight Call Centre, both projects being deliverable in that area by March 2021.

It was further reported that Phase 2 of the Spinning Point project was unable to proceed and as the business case assurance advised that in order for the project to represent VFM and meet the Growth Deal strategic objectives both phases must be delivered, it would be necessary for the Phase 1 grant paid against the project and the balance for Phase 2 to be returned to the programme for reallocation.

The Committee discussed current unallocated funding and considered a list of pipeline schemes (tabled at the meeting) the top three of which were considered deliverable by the March 2021 deadline.

As Michael Ahern was conflicted on the EIC Drone Command project and Alan Cavill was conflicted on the two Blackpool projects under discussion, both left the room at this point.

Having considered in detail a list of pipeline projects the Committee agreed to approve the allocation to the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone project. As the current unallocated balance would not cover the whole amount requested for the EIC Drone Command Centre project, it was agreed that when the balance of £1.341m was reached, or a slightly lower amount as agreed between parties, it would be allocated to this project. Any further unallocated funds would be held in reserve for future decisions.

Michael Ahern and Alan Cavill returned to the room.

Resolved:

1.  That the Grant Funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Joanne Ainsworth, Principal Accountant – Capital and LEP, presented the finance report showing the fund's position as at February 2020.

It was noted that following approval by the Department of Transport the payment of the first tranche of the funding would be released to the Preston Western Distributor project, which would be a significant percentage of the total allocation.

Due to slippage expected in some projects, it was suggested that the process currently in place to reallocate funds be applied also to funds returned through clawback.

Resolved: the Growth Deal Management Board agreed:

1.  To note the spend and forecast as presented

2.  That the current project funding reallocation process be used to reallocate funds clawed back from projects