Decision details

Matter for Decision: The report gave a feel for the direction that partnerships are moving in, their developing priorities and other associated work, notably the developing Greater Cambridge City Deal. It is part of a commitment given in the Council’s “Principles of Partnership Working” that the Council’s lead member provides an annual account of their work.

 

Decision of the Leader

 

The Leader resolved to:

 

i.       Continue to work with the partnerships (LEP and Cambridge Community Safety Partnership) and the development of the Greater Cambridge City Deal, to ensure that the strategic issues affecting Cambridge and matters of concern to Cambridge citizens are responded to. This includes maintaining the economic success of our area, whilst respecting its unique character, and continuing to address and prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime.

 

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the Officer’s report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the Officer’s report

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

 

The committee received a report from the Head of Corporate Strategy.

 

Mr Grahame Nix addressed the committee and made the following comments:

 

i.                 Thanked the committee for the opportunity to attend the meeting.

ii.               Thanked the Leader of the Council for his input into the LEP.

iii.             Highlighted the important relationship between local authorities and the LEP.

iv.             13 local authorities from a complex geographical area feed into the LEP.

v.              The LEP had consulted widely, with both partners and the general public, on its Strategic Economic Plan (SEP).

vi.             Over 300 project ideas had been formulated through the SEP consultation.

vii.           A range of Sub-Groups have also been involved in formulating ideas and these have now been grouped thematically.

viii.         A LEP Summit, attended by over 130 people, had been held to feedback on the ideas generated.

ix.             Themes included:

-        Becoming a UK exemplar for digital technologies and developments.

-        Accelerating business growth.

-        Increasing the options for exporting businesses and ideas.

-        Responding to growth and ensuring innovation space is available to facilitate this.

-        Removing the skills barriers to ensure the continuation of growth.

-        Encouraging better transport networks.

-        Enabling the development and occupation of the Alconbury Enterprise Zone.

x.              The government has encouraged LEPs to:

-        Prioritise around no more than 5 key asks

-        Develop ambitious ideas and have a strong vision.

-        Ensure the money allocated in 2015 can be spent within that year.

xi.              A list of priority project ideas has been discussed by the LEP Board.

xii.            As part of the SEP we have bid for £389m over 5 years. Targets for the first year include:

-        £5m for digital technologies and developments.

-        £40m for transport network improvements.

-        £5 for education and skills provision.

-        £10 for commercial property provision.

-        £15m to help facilitate growth.

xiii.         Feedback on the SEP bid should be received this week, but further negotiations are expected.

xiv.         A European Structural Investment (ESI) Fund of £72m is also available to the LEP, with match funding from the government. This has been prioritised:

ERDF

-        40% for Innovation.

-        10% for ICT

-        20% for supporting SMEs

-        30% for Low Carbon

SF

-        40% for Skills

-        40% for Employability

-        20% for Social Inclusion

   

1.     The LEP are in the process of finalising their ESI bid and the outcome should be announced in February.

 

The committee thanked Mr Nix for attending, and made the following comments:

 

i.                 Welcomed improvements to education and training provision to better meet the needs of local businesses.

ii.               Hoped that the LEP would look favourably on some of the projects brought forward for the City.

iii.             Welcomed the work of the LEP.

 

In response to member’s questions Mr Nix said the following:

 

i.                 Cambridge has a very clear skill set and the LEP are keen to promote and assist with this.

ii.               The LEP have launched a new Skills Survey to better understand the complex skills and training needs of local businesses.

iii.             The Alconbury Enterprise Zone gives huge potential for extra jobs.

iv.             Some examples of project ideas include:

-        Retro-fit.

-        Northern fringe and new station area development.

v.              At the moment SEP is ‘thematic’ and there is not a list of detailed projects.

vi.             The bid from Cambridge for Retro-fit fits into the EU framework for this fund.

vii.           The LEP works closely with local colleges and an educational representative sits on the Skills Strategy Sub-Group.

viii.         A challenge for the colleges is the critical mass for certain skill set areas.

ix.             The Skills Survey will pick up any additional areas that the LEP need to concentrate on.

 

 

 

In response to member’s questions the Leader said the following:

 

i.                 The bid for a shop front for the Rainbow Savers Credit Union is a joint project idea supported by both the City Council and County Council. It will target the ESI fund under the ‘promoting social inclusion and combatting poverty’ criteria. 

ii.               It has become apparent how different the needs of Cambridge are from the rest of the LEP area. Whilst Cambridge does have the benefit of improved growth this does bring its own challenges such as the high cost of land and homes.

iii.             With regard to the Greater Cambridge City Deal; the government is committed, in principal, to delivering proposals on Gain Share. The process of negotiating and agreeing a good City Deal for Greater Cambridge are continuing and any deal will be brought back to Council for a decision.

 

The committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Leader approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Leader (and any Dispensations Granted):

 

Not applicable.