Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Edwin Booth, welcomed all to the meeting.  Apologies for absence were presented from County Councillor Jennifer Mein, Malcolm McVicar, Stuart Hirst and David Holmes.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Board meeting held on 13^th September 2016 be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

None

Professor Mark Smith declared an interest in Item 15 – Health Innovation Campus Growth Deal Funding Approval.  It was reported that his employer, Lancaster University have a direct interest in the project.  The LEP Board agreed that Professor Smith would not vote on this item but could remain present for the item.

The LEP Board agreed to consider this item first.

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, presented a report (circulated) on the development of a marketing strategy for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. 

Updates were provided on the developing Lancashire Economic Narrative which was due to launch on 9^th November 2016 at an event due to be attended by Andrew Percy MP, the Northern Powerhouse (NPH) Minister.

In addition updates were provided on the marketing and communications strategy for all the LEP work streams, including City Deal and Enterprise Zone.  It was noted that the main forthcoming promotional opportunities for 2017 included Place North West City Deal event (7^th February 2017), Northern Powerhouse Conference (21^st/22^nd February 2017), MIPIM Cannes (14^th to 17^th March 2017) and a date to be determined for the Insider's Business of Lancashire Conference.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Noted the contents of the report.

(ii)  Approved the proposed approach to continuing to develop a strategic marketing proposition for Lancashire, as set out in the report; and

(iii)  Noted that the Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, as the LEP's Media Communications and PR lead, will continue to provide regular  updates to the LEP Board on the strategic marketing outputs.

Andy Milroy, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) which provided an update on recent LEP Committee meetings and LEP Governance matters.

It was highlighted that following a governance review the report proposed an amendment to the 2017 LEP meeting schedule.  It was proposed that the frequency of LEP Board meetings be changed to quarterly with a revised programme for 2016 / 17 presented.  It was also highlighted where possible, LEP Committee meetings would be co-ordinated to meet in advance of the LEP Board meetings, broadly in line with the same quarterly meeting cycle, subject to each Committees individual requirements.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Approved the revised meeting schedule for 2016 / 17 as set out; and

(ii)  Noted the updates from each LEP Committee as presented.

Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development, Lancashire County Council, presented as report (circulated) that updated the LEP Board following a proposal from the LEP Performance Committee that future LEP Board agendas contain a standing item on the LEP's Key Initiatives.

It was highlighted that the initiatives to be included at present are the City Deal Programme, Growth Deal Programme, Enterprise Zone Programme, Boost Business Growth Hub and Growing Places Investment Funding.

It was noted that with regard to the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone (EZ) achievements that since production of the report the number of new jobs confirmed since commencement of the EZ on 1^st April 2016 had increased to 135.

In addition, it was noted that the format of the Key Initiatives report would be considered by the Director of Economic Development and the Chair of the LEP Board with a graphical form to be produced.

Resolved: The LEP Board noted the activity and progress made in delivering the key initiatives to date, as set out.

Presentation by Michele Lawty-Jones

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones gave an oral update on the Lancashire Enterprise Advisor Network.

It was highlighted that following the Lord Young Review entitled 'Enterprise for All' a Careers and Enterprise Company (CECo) had been stabled to work with LEPs to establish Enterprise Advisor Networks with the intention to increase interactions between business / industry and young people.  The programme was initiated in January in 2016 in Burnley and Blackburn with Darwen.  2 schools have been engaged and matched with 'Enterprise Advisers'.

It was noted that all Lancashire authorities supported the programme and that in terms of roll out across Lancashire funding has been secured for a further 2 academic years from September 2016 through Lancashire County Council and CECo.  Targeted activity will now focus on areas and schools with lower attainment levels, greater levels of Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and absence levels.  Roll out will begin in Pendle, Hyndburn and Rossendale, Blackpool, Morecambe and parts of Preston before the end of 2016.  Further roll out across Lancashire will continue in May and September 2017.

Members of the LEP Board commented that links with the Universities was important and should be explored during the roll out.

Resolved:  The LEP Board noted the updated with regard to the roll out of the Lancashire Enterprise Adviser Network.

Andy Walker, Head of Service, Business Growth, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) which updated the Board on the development of a Business Plan and detailed Operating Statement for the LEP moving forward.

It was highlighted that in order to ensure the LEP remains effective and compliant in relation to the delivery of key priorities, initiatives and investment programmes it is proposed by the Chair of the Board, that the LEP produces its first Business and Operational Plan.  The Board noted the draft 'Our Achievements' document presented at Appendix 'A' to the report, along with the draft LEP Business Plan for 2017 / 2020 presented at Appendix 'B' to the report.

In addition it was noted that the LEP Performance Committee would be tasked with shaping and influencing the proposed Business and Operational Plan at is November 2016 meeting.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Noted the contents of the LEP Achievement document and requested that the LEPs communication lead – Marketing Lancashire continue to promote the work of the LEP as appropriate.

(ii)  Endorsed the priorities in the 2017 / 2020 Business Plan, accepting the need to align this work with the work programme of the Combined Authority; and

(iii)  Noted that a detailed Operation Plan considering LEP capacity and resourcing will be developed by the Performance Committee and presented to the LEP Board for final approval in the New Year.

Oral update by Martin Kelly

Martin Kelly provided an oral update on the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and Growth Deal 3 funding update.

It was reported that the LEP anticipates being informed officially on 23^rd November 2016 of its Growth Deal 3 allocation.  It is hoped that the response is positive to the Lancashire bids but it is recognised that Growth Deal 3 is oversubscribed across the country.

Resolved:  The LEP Board noted the update regarding the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and Growth Deal 3 funding allocation.

Oral update

The Chair of the Shadow Lancashire Combined Authority, Councillor Simon Blackburn provided an oral update, highlighting that work continued to progress towards the formalisation of the Lancashire Combined Authority and discussions were advancing regarding a Devolution Deal for Lancashire.

Resolved:  The LEP Board noted the Combined Authority update.

The Chair, Edwin Booth, provided an update on a potential visit to Lancashire by the Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Action which might possibly take place in January 2017.

It is proposed that the next LEP Board meeting will be held on 31^st January 2017, 4.30pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next LEP Board meeting was scheduled to be held on 31^st January 2017, 4.30pm, County Hall, Preston.

At this point the LEP Board approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential to consider the remaining items which contained exempt information provided in confidence as defined in the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  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.

The LEP Board received an update and further background information relating to four individuals identified as possible LEP Directors.  After consideration of the information the LEP Board endorsed all four individuals and recommended that the company member, Lancashire County Council, approve their appointment.

Resolved:  The LEP Board endorsed all four individuals and recommended that the company member, Lancashire County Council, approve their appointment as LEP Directors as soon as possible.

Graham Cowley, Chair of Growth Deal Management Board, presented a report (circulated) that requested LEP Board approval to the Health Innovation Campus Growth Deal Funding application.

Resolved:  The LEP Board approved the following provisions relating to a maximum Growth Deal funding approval of up to £17M towards Lancaster University's Health Innovation Campus project:

i.  A funding approval of up to £17M is given subject to Lancaster University identifying alternative sources of funding or exploring the possibility of scaling down or re-phasing the project in the event that European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are unavailable;

ii.  That approval be given to an initial drawdown of a maximum of £1.5M of Growth Deal funding, prior to ESIF or alternative funding having been secured, which will be subject to clawback provisions in the Grant Funding Agreement (GFA);

iii.  That in the event of further clarity regarding secured funding for the project not being provided by the end of Quarter 1 2017/18, the Growth Deal Management Board will undertake a review of the project and inform the LEP Board of its findings;

iv.  That the Growth Deal Management Board receive further updates in relation to any requirements for the clawback of Growth Deal funding or the scaling down/re-phasing of the project in the event that reduced funding is secured; and

v.  That the Growth Deal Management Board receive an update on the Health Innovation Campus project at each future meeting.