Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Simon Pringle, Natasha Luther-Jones, Jim Cardwell, David Gill and John Williams.

There were no pecuniary interests declared by members at the meeting.

There were no items on the agenda requiring the exclusion of the press and public.

The Chair updated the Panel on the progress of items raised in the previous minutes, including that the proposed name change of the Panel had been deferred due to the LEP review. The Chair also introduced Kiran Parmar, the new LCR Energy Hub officer, to the Panel.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Green Economy Panel held on the 23 October be approved.

There was no Chair’s update at the meeting.

The Panel considered a report regarding a knowledge exchange to Graz and set out proposals for a clean growth audit.

The Panel was informed about the knowledge exchange and four key points of learning had been identified. The Panel was also given insight into the formation of industrial clusters to accelerate innovation and sector growth. It was identified that a greater level of sector knowledge was needed in order to ascertain the conditions for industrial clean clusters.

The Panel discussed the proposed clean growth audit which would form a robust evidence base which could help to identify the strategic priorities for clean growth in the Local Inclusive Industrial Strategy.

The Panel expressed support for the clean growth audit. Panel members also discussed the possibility of issuing a call for action to ascertain more immediate opportunities around the clean growth agenda. The Panel emphasised the importance of identifying good practice in order to demonstrate the value and further the potential for clean growth projects.

The Panel noted that the clean growth audit would be completed by May 2019 and the opportunities identified would be integrated in the Local Inclusive Industrial Strategy by September 2019. The Panel was encouraged to feed ideas into the Local Inclusive Industrial Strategy which was intended be inclusive and co-owned.

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)          That the Panel provided comments on the emerging finding, especially in relation to the information outlined in Sections 3 and 4.

The Panel was updated on the progress of the Leeds City Region Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan.

The Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan proposed a carbon emission reduction trajectory which would need to be delivered in order to comply with the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The report set out the ongoing and further work necessary to meet this proposed target which included feeding projects through the Energy Accelerator and the Energy Hub for immediate support as well as organising a Leeds City Region Summit.

The Panel discussed the more ambitious IPPC target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°c instead of the 2°c target required by the Paris climate change agreement. The Panel was informed that part of the planned work would involve mapping out what a 2°c target would look like and what a more ambitious 1.5°c target would require.

The panel discussed the ongoing work required to meet the proposed target. Measures already identified would mean that the Leeds City Region advanced two thirds of the way toward the Paris climate change agreement with the remaining third still to be identified.

The Panel discussed the proposed regional summit and it was suggested that civil society experts should be included. The Panel also discussed the motions passed in Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale councils regarding a climate change emergency and it was agreed that more information would be circulated to Panel members.

Resolved: That the ongoing work relating to the Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan as well as the next steps be noted.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the Energy Accelerator Advisory Board.

The Panel noted the work to date completed by the Combined Authority on behalf of the LEP, including the appointment of a new programme delivery team and the appointment of advisors.

The Panel was also informed of changes to the governance which had been updated to better align the governance of projects within the Combined Authority, including amendments to the governance process to ensure swift decision making.

The Panel was informed of some of the types of applications and projects which had been received. The Panel thanked the previous Board for their input, steer and support. It was agreed that regular updates regarding the Energy Accelerator would be brought to the Panel.

Resolved: That the Panel note the progress and next steps for the ESDP. 

The Panel considered a report regarding the hydrogen for the north programme.

The Panel was provided with a presentation from Keith Owen, from Northern Gas Networks, about the programme.

Members questioned the need for investment in Carbon Capture and Storage in order for hydrogen to be a viable low carbon fuel source. Members also suggested that it would be helpful to have more clarity around the practical measures of the project and address common concerns, particularly around how a switch to hydrogen might affect appliances.

The Panel was informed of the H21 liaison group between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and with Northern Gas Networks to support the development of the initial H21 Leeds Citygate programme. It was agreed that regular updates would be brought back to the Panel

Resolved: That the Panel note the new programme and identify any support they would like to offer this new North of England programme

The Panel discussed a report which provided a summary of the York, North and East riding Local Enterprise Partnership’s Circular Yorkshire programme. Katie Thomas, Low Carbon and Circular Economy Lead for York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, provided the Panel with a presentation.

The Panel discussed the possible opportunities to widen the scope of Circular Yorkshire and work together towards a circular economy in the Leeds City Region. Planned works include piloting circular economy SME support through the forthcoming Resource Efficiency Fund 2 , the opportunity of the Resource Efficiency Fund 2 and a focus on identifying circular economy opportunities through the Clean Growth Audit.

Resolved: To discuss feedback on the Circular Yorkshire work carried out by YNYER LEP and identify opportunities to explore in the Leeds City Region.

The Panel discussed a report regarding the implementation of the Government’s recommendations for Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships.

This involved addressing areas of overlap in order to support the development of a West and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Panel was informed that a Transition Subgroup had been established with members of both York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP and the Leeds City Region LEP.

Resolved: That the report be noted

The Panel were provided with a major projects update. This included an update regarding the outcome of the Warm Homes bid which unfortunately was unsuccessful. The Panel was informed that another application may be made in a later round this year.

The Panel was updated regarding the progress of the Resource Efficiency Fund and a further application for Resource Efficiency Fund 2 which had been made on behalf of York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP. 

Resolved: That the Panel note the progress against the Panel’s major projects and programmes.