Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Edwin Booth, welcomed all to the meeting.  Apologies for absence were presented from David Taylor, Claire Whelan and Malcolm McVicar.

At this point the LEP Board approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential, to consider a presentation regarding Project ERIC as it contained 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.

Presentation to be introduced by the Chairman.

The Chairman moved that Item 12 be considered as the first substantive item on the agenda.

Resolved:  A presentation was received in relation to a specific project.

The meeting returned to Part I at this point.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Board meeting held on 28^th March 2017 be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

None

Professor Mark Smith declared an interest in Item 12 – Outline of Project Eric – Lancaster University would potentially seek to take advantage of this project for research purposes.

Councillor Simon Blackburn declared an interest in Item 15 – Growth Deal Funding Application regarding the Winter Gardens Conference Centre Funding as the Leader of Blackpool Council.

Councillor Phil Riley declared an interest in Items 8 and 15 – National Productivity Investment Fund and Growth Deal Funding Application as two bids contained reference to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

The LEP Board approved that all three would be excluded from voting with regard to the respective items they declared an interest in but could be present for those items.

Oral Report by Warren Ralls, Director, LEP Network

Warren Ralls, Director of the LEP Network, gave an oral presentation on the LEP Network and explained that it is a gateway to news and information that enables LEPs to come together on areas of shared importance, engage with Government, and share knowledge and good practice.

Mr Ralls also explained that he was currently preparing a feedback report regarding all LEPs which will be submitted to Government. In the main the Lancashire LEP's feedback is positive with a few smaller issues to pick up regarding declaration of interests. Generally the current feedback from Ministers regarding LEPs is positive with reference made to LEPs in the Conservative Manifesto prior to the General Election held in June 2017.

Further updates were provided on the current situation regarding the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF).

Mr Ralls stated that he will continue to work closely with the LEP and Economic Development Officers.

Resolved:  That the LEP Board noted the oral presentation regarding the LEP Network and LEPs Accountability and Governance.

Andy Milroy, Senior Democratic Services Officer, Lancashire County Council, presented a report (circulated) regarding LEP Governance matters and updates from recent Committee meetings.

The LEP Board noted the recent Director changes as set out.  With regard to the appointment of County Councillor Driver it was noted that in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the relevant Committees he (or his nominee) had been appointed to the Enterprise Zone Governance, Transport for Lancashire Committee, City Deal Executive and the Executive Committee.  It was further noted that County Councillor Driver (or his nominee) would also serve of the European Structural and Investment Fund Partnership.

With regard to the second vacancy on the ESIF Partnership, the Chairman recommended that Miranda Barker, Chief Executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce be appointed.

It was noted that the remaining vacancies on Performance Committee, Transport for Lancashire Committee and Business Support Management Board would be considered by the Chairman following the meeting.

Resolved:  The LEP Board:

(i)  Noted the updates provided in the report in relation to the Committees of the LEP.

(ii)  Noted the recent Director changes and Committee appointments stated in the report.

(iii)  Approved the appointment of County Councillor Geoff Driver (or his nominee) and Miranda Barker to the European Structural and Investment Fund Partnership.

(iv)  Approved the revised Transport for Lancashire Terms of Reference as attached to the report.

Kathryn Molloy, Head of Service LEP Coordination, Lancashire County Council, presented a report (circulated) regarding the establishment of a 'Fund of Funds' including attracting Capital Investment. 

Approval was sought to review the LEP's current approach to managing and deploying its Growing Places Investment Fund, including giving consideration to the establishment of a 'Fund of Funds'.  In addition, approval was sought to promote funds available in Lancashire in a cohesive manner, as part of Lancashire's wider investment offer, and to help develop new approaches to attracting and leveraging further private investment.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Noted the contents of this report;

(ii)  Authorised officers, with the support of external consultants, to review the Growing Places Investment Fund approach and consider the establishment of a 'Fund of Funds' including reviewing the provisional £10M provisional allocation within Lancashire's ESIF programme towards development finance;

(iii)  Agreed to appoint external consultants to work with officers and representatives from the Department for International Trade (DIT), to establish an approach to securing external investment to support the delivery of existing and emerging LEP economic priorities where there are funding and investment gaps available;

(iv)  Agreed to receive a report at a future meeting which sets out options on the above proposals; and

(v)  Approved officers to promote the variety of funds available in Lancashire in a cohesive manner alongside Lancashire's investment offer, primarily

Martin Kelly, Director of Economic Development, Lancashire County Council, presented a report (circulated) regarding the National Productivity Investment Fund which set out the process and requirements for project bids together with a brief summary of the bids being prepared for submission by Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Council.

Resolved:  Following endorsement by the Transport for Lancashire Committee, the LEP Board approved the bids prepared for submission by Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Council as set out in the appendix to the report.

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, presented a report (circulated) which highlighted marketing activity for the LEP since the last Board meeting.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Noted the contents of this report;

(ii)  Noted that 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 and activity; and

(iii)  Approved that the LEP Website be redeveloped.

Councillor Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council and Shadow Combined Authority Chairman provided an update on recent correspondence with Government.

Resolved:  That the update be noted.

Brian Bailey, Director of Planning & Prosperity, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council provided an update regarding the ESIF Programme and a scheme in Chorley that was put forward but was turned down by DWP.  Mr Bailey requested LEP Board approval that a response be sent to Ministers asking for this decision to be reviewed.

Resolved: The LEP Board approved that a response be sent to Ministers asking for the ESIF Programme decision in relation to Chorley be reviewed.

The next LEP Board meeting is scheduled to be held on 7^th November 2017, 4.30pm, Cabinet Room 'D' - The Henry Bolingbroke Room, County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next LEP Board meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 7^th November 2017, 4:30pm at County Hall, Preston.

At this point the LEP Board approved that the meeting move into Part II, Private and Confidential, to consider the remaining three reports as they contained 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.

Kathryn Molloy presented a report (circulated) regarding which contained the LEP Budget Outturn Report for 2016 / 17 and the proposed Operational Budget for 2017 / 18.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Noted the contents of this report including the LEP's financial outturn position for 2016/17;

(ii)  Approved the inclusion of the LEP's financial outturn position for 2016/17 in the LEP's first Annual Report which will be published on the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership website;

(iii)  Approved the proposed revised Operational Budget for 2017/18; and

(iv)  Noted the balance statement for the LEP's Growing Places Investment Fund.

Kathryn Molloy presented a report (circulated) seeking approval to the LEP Business Plan for 2017 to 2020 and Annual Report for 2016/17.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Considered and commented on the contents of the LEP's Business Plan and Annual Report documents;

(ii)  Approved that officers make the necessary changes and publish the documents on the LEP's website; and

(iii)  Authorised the Performance Committee to continue to monitor progress in relation to the delivery of the LEP's key economic initiatives and monitor the impact LEP activity is having across a range of economic indicators for Lancashire.

Kathryn Molloy presented a report (circulated) containing two Growth Deal Funding Approvals, namely, the 21^st Century Blackpool Conference Centre and Blackburn Town Centre Project: Blakey Moor Improvements.

Resolved:  The LEP Board

(i)  Considered the contents of this report, including the independent appraisal reports for the Blackpool 21st Century Conference Centre scheme and for the Blackburn Town Centre Improvements scheme attached as appendices;

(ii)  Considered the recommendations of the GDMB following its meeting held on the 7 June;

(iii)  Approved a maximum Growth Deal funding allocation of up to £15M for Blackpool's 21st Century Conference Centre scheme subject to the conditions identified in the independent appraisal report and the 6-week public consultation on the scheme business case; and

(iv)  Approved a maximum Growth Deal funding allocation of up to £200k for the Blackburn Town Centre Improvements scheme subject to the conditions identified in the independent appraisal report.