Minutes:
Chris Dyson, Strategic Development Programme Manager, Lancashire County Council, attended and presented a private and confidential report which provided the committee with an update on the Samlesbury Aerospace and Warton Aviation Enterprise Zones.
The report included updates on progress on achievements to date; the North
West Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre; governance; Commercial Development Framework; Site Wide Utility Strategy; Growth Deal funding; the Asset Management Facility; Warton Aviation Enterprise Zone; and marketing and promotional activities.
The committee provided feedback on each area of activity and direction, where appropriate, on future developments.
It was highlighted that all the Enterprise Zones were working collectively to move the EZ's forward emphasising that they had a strong governance structure, strategic Board and major projects steering board. It was noted that there would be lots of marketing opportunities ahead and that this site, along with the other EZ sites in Lancashire, were keen to be able to help towards the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A table showing the KPI's had been included in the report as requested at the previous meeting and this information would be replicated in the reports to the LEP Board ensuring that there was consistency in the information shared. Regular progress updates would be provided at future meetings.
The committee was given an update on the key milestones and it was noted that there were currently 20 live enquiries. Closer working relationships with the occupiers on the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone site were being developed to set an exemplar and maximise the site where possible.
It was noted that the Commercial development framework had been commissioned and the initial fact finding had already begun. Various options going forward were now being explored.
Currently, meetings were being arranged with partners and it was noted that Chris Dyson would facilitate this to ensure that committee members were invited in order to pull on their experience and enable them to add input into the discussions around the framework.
The committee agreed that it would be beneficial to invite representatives from Marketing Lancashire to attend the next Enterprise Zone Governance Committee meeting in order to provide them with an update from this board highlighting the progress that has been made and requesting them to develop an integrated and revitalised refresh of the communications/marketing plan that can be used going forward in to 2021.
In regards to the Warton Enterprise Zone it was noted that further work was needed to develop the next stages as an Enterprise Zone.
It was reported that the marketing and promotion mirrors what had already been communicated regarding the other Lancashire sites and that options are being considered to increase promotion on this site ensuring closer working with partners to secure a one agent approach recognising that the Warton site has its own unique features that can only be found in Lancashire.
It was noted that the joint LAMEC meetings that have been taking place have proven very productive and the importance of working collectively was highlighted.
Help was offered from committee members to officers around interpreting what comes out of the independent review that is currently taking place and producing a proposal that is compelling and differentiating for the Enterprise Zone Governance Committee to review to consider whether it was something that could be taken forward to capitalise on the two digital strategic outcomes and to turn the outcome of the reviews in to something meaningful that gets Lancashire on the front foot.
It was requested by the committee that Dave Holmes arrange for a short briefing to members to give indications of timelines and to explain the nature of these reviews/processes.
The teams were thanked for their hard work in producing the reports and pulling all the useful information together.
Resolved: That:
i. The progress report, and updates presented, be noted.
ii. That representatives from Marketing Lancashire be invited to the next meeting so the committee can provide an update on progress with a view to developing an integrated marketing plan across all four Enterprise Zones.