Agenda item

Leeds City Region Growth Deal Delivery

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Delivery which provided:

 

·         An update on progress made on the implementation of the Growth Deal Programme.

·         The criteria to be considered in relation to the de-commitment of Growth Deal projects.

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

The dashboards for the Growth Deal and West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) were attached at Appendices 1 and 2 of the submitted report.  Members noted the projects that continued to be rated as Red, escalated to Red and de-escalated from Red which were listed in the report. 

 

Members discussed the Growth Deal programme and WY+TF and the proposed criteria for the de-commitment of schemes which were set out in Appendix 3.  In recommending their adoption to WYCA, it was considered that de-commitment should be a last resort and WYCA would work with project sponsors to support the successful delivery of their programmes and projects.   It was noted that before projects are formally recommended for de-commitment, this would be agreed with the relevant local authority.  In respect of WY+TF projects, it was proposed that the fund be re-profiled with projects phased over a longer timescale rather than de-commit projects.  This would allow for projects with the potential for early delivery to be included within the programme.  It was noted that an Investment Committee members/officer workshop would be held in March 2018 and the local authority Leaders would be welcome to attend to discuss scheme performance and proposed re-profiling.

 

It was noted that there was a need to identify projects which are currently not progressing or making sufficient progress.  It was suggested that projects which have not been spending allocations must be able to demonstrate progress has been made against key milestones by 28 February 2018,  to allow discussion of returns at the March workshop, which will inform recommendations to be made to the Investment Committee at their meeting to be held on 5 June 2018.

 

The last meeting had been attended by Network Rail where concerns had been raised in respect of the delays to schemes which were important in delivery economic growth in the North and the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Whilst welcoming the progress in some areas members reiterated their concerns regarding delays to schemes due to Network Rail and asked that they be invited to attend the next meeting. 

 

The Committee was provided with an overview and update in respect of the Growth Deal Gateway Review.  It was reported that four local Evaluation Plans and costed resource plans have been developed by SQW consultants, WYCA and scheme promoters and details were outlined in the submitted report.   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.  Members were advised that this figure had been challenged and a breakdown of the costs had been requested.  It was reported that WYCA was working with other LEP areas to reduce the figure and it was possible that some of the initial work could be undertaken in-house to reduce the expenditure. 

 

Resolved:

 

(i)         That the progress towards the implementation of the Growth Deal be noted.

 

(ii)        That Growth Deal project be given until 28 February 2018 to demonstrate            they are making satisfactory progress.  Progress will be considered further at          the meeting to be held on 5 June 2018.

 

(iii)       That, the Investment Committee recommends to WYCA approval of a

maximum of £400,000 from the Growth Deal to fund the Growth Deal Review activity.

 

(iv)       That Network Rail be invited to attend the next meeting of the Investment            Committee.

Supporting documents: