Issue - meetings

(Member lead: Cllr P Box, Director: Melanie Corcoran)

Resolved:

(i)         That WYCA approves in-principle support to the projects identified in paragraphs 2.10 and 2.11 of the submitted report and that the projects be brought forward for consideration for entry into the WYCA pipeline list, pending the outcome of the programme re-profiling exercise and the future availability of funding, and subject to approval through the WYCA Assurance Process.

(ii)        That a maximum of £400,000 to be funded from the Local Growth Fund to fund the Growth Deal Review activity as detailed in the submitted report.

The Authority considered a report of the Director of Delivery which:

·         Provided an update on the implementation of the Growth Deal and sought agreement of actions to actively manage scheme performance.

·         Presented recommendations following the recent Call for Projects relating to Growth Deal funding, that a number of schemes are brought forward for consideration, pending the outcome of the programme re-profiling exercise and the future availability of funding, and subject to approval through the WYCA Assurance Process.

·         Provided an update on current activity relating to the forthcoming 2019/20 Growth Deal Review, and sought approval for an allocation of £400,000 to undertake the work required in preparation for the Gateway Review.

The performance and management of schemes in the Growth Deal was discussed.  It was reported that an Investment Committee workshop would be held in March to consider the timing and profiling of projects and WYCA members would be invited to take part in those discussions. 

Members discussed the recent Call for Projects and the list of schemes outlined in the submitted report which were recommended for taking forward.  They reiterated their request that hyperlinks be provided in future reports to any background information available.  It was noted that based on the information that had been provided, the schemes would potentially deliver direct jobs and houses by 2021.  It was recognised that because of delivery timescales, the Call for Projects had been restrictive to projects that would deliver by 2021; it was however noted that there may be further opportunities to support a wider range of projects with the development of the Local Inclusive Industrial Strategy.  It was proposed that a further Call for Projects be considered and this would be discussed at a future meeting of the Investment Committee. 

It was noted that the Growth Deal review is a stipulation by Government.  A project ceiling budget of £400,000 has been identified by Government to undertake the Gateway Review exercise in the Leeds City Region, including all lead-in activity and reporting to Central Government.  It was reported that WYCA was working with other LEP areas and Government to understand what the money would be spent on and how it could be reduced, including whether it was possible that some of the initial work could be undertaken in-house to reduce the expenditure.

Resolved:

That WYCA approves:

(i)         In-principle support to the projects identified in paragraphs 2.10 and 2.11 of the submitted report and that the projects be brought forward for consideration for entry into the WYCA pipeline list, pending the outcome of the programme re-profiling exercise and the future availability of funding, and subject to approval through the WYCA Assurance Process.

(ii)        A maximum of £400,000 to be funded from the Local Growth Fund to fund the Growth Deal Review activity as detailed in the submitted report.