Issue - meetings

COVID-19 Update

Meeting: 04/02/2021 - West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Item 82)

82 COVID-19 Update pdf icon PDF 316 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved:

 

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves £5 million gainshare for local COVID recovery to support the delivery of local recovery plans.

 

(b)      That the latest update around the economic impacts of COVID-19 and progress on the delivery and development of the response to the crisis, including on the economic recovery plan be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Directors of Economic Services and Policy, Strategy and Communications which:

 

·       Provided an update on developments around the COVID-19 crisis, including economic intelligence and the delivery and development of products and services in response.

·       Provided an update on progress on the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan.

·       Sought approval for £5 million of immediate local recovery funding across West Yorkshire resulting from the local Economic Recovery Plans.

 

Members discussed the work being undertaken to support the region to respond to COVID-19.  This included the business, employment and skills support being provided and the longer-term planning for West Yorkshire’s economic recovery. Further information in respect of the support being given to businesses and the impact of the investments being made to them would be circulated to Members.  It was reported that an independent evaluation of business support activities was being undertaken and a report would be brought to a future meeting.

 

It was reported that further work has been undertaken in partnership with the five West Yorkshire Local Authorities and the report outlined a request for the funding of key cultural and local economic initiatives to support recovery using £5 million from the gainshare part of the Single Investment Fund (SIF).  It was proposed that given the urgent need to support the recovery, delivery will take place at the earliest opportunity, in advance of the SIF being established.  It was acknowledged that this is an exceptional arrangement and that all future gainshare/SIF proposals will be approved through the route defined in the Assurance Framework.

 

It was noted that it has not been possible to provide the statutory 28 days’ notice of this key decision being considered due to the need to approve immediate local recovery funding as a priority action to support the local Economic Recovery Plans. However, in accordance with the Combined Authority’s Access to Information Annex to Procedure Standing Orders (part 1 section 7C – General Exception), the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been notified and notification has been published on the Authority’s website.  Accordingly, as set out in the rules of General Exception, the Combined Authority may still make the decision.

 

A report on further funding proposals for business support, focussing on start-ups, entrepreneurship and innovation will be prepared for the next meeting. 

 

Resolved:

 

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves £5 million gainshare for local COVID-19 recovery to support the delivery of local recovery plans.

 

(b)      That the latest update around the economic impacts of COVID-19 and progress on the delivery and development of the response to the crisis, including on the economic recovery plan be noted.