Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Waller, Cooper, Cummings and Dr Alice Owen, Jim Cardwell and Wallace Sampson.

There were declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting

There were no items which required the exemption of the press and public.

The Chair updated the Panel on the progress of actions from the previous meeting.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Green Economy Panel held on the 29 January be approved.

The Chair provided an update on the developments between the Green Economy Panel agenda and the Employment and Skills Panel, particularly with reference to the Circular Economy item at the meeting of the Green Economy Panel held on 29 January. A future meeting will be set up to discuss possible future joint opportunities.

It was suggested that the gateway criteria for transport projects placed more emphasis on clean growth. A similar concern was raised regarding enterprise zones. In respect of gateway criteria the Panel was informed that the Combined Authority’s Assurance Framework was being refreshed and as part of this more emphasis will be placed on clean growth and inclusive growth at the earliest stages of the project development stages. More information would be provided to the Panel in respect of enterprise zones, with particular reference to the rebalancing of project assessments as part of the Assurance Framework.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the progress of the Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) for the proposed new LEP geography.

The Panel was informed that a broad call for evidence was currently live to ensure that stakeholders could help inform the development of the Local Industrial Strategy and that a second, more focussed, call for evidence would be launched in April.

It was noted that additional work was underway to address any gaps in the existing knowledge base including a Sector/Cluster deep dive and the clean growth audit.

It was suggested that the Panel could also look at the innovation and productivity evidence base to ensure that clean growth was embedded across the Local Industrial Strategy. Members discussed reconvening the GEP / LIS working group, with the addition of Councillor Lynn, to further explore the evidence base for the industrial strategy.

The Panel noted that the final data report would be produced in July 2019 and that future updates would be brought to the Panel as the policy develops.

Resolved:

(i)        That the progress made on the development of the Local Industrial Strategy be noted.

(ii)       That the proposed way forward on development of the evidence base be endorsed.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the delivery of the Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan (ESDP). The ESDP sets out how the ambition of the City Region to become a resilient, zero carbon economy could be achieved. 

The Panel discussed the setting of a carbon reduction target for the City Region. It was noted that the Tyndall Centre would identify an overall target and five yearly carbon targets for the City Region. The Combined Authority would commission a further piece of work to identify different potential ways in which the region could achieve the target. It was noted that the Tyndall centre would also provide a toolkit for districts to use.

The Panel noted the ongoing work to set up four workshops throughout June 2018 and to organise a City Region Summit in July 2019. The Panel noted the intention to include a wide cross-section of stakeholders in the summit but expressed concern about delivering such an event by July 2019.

The Panel welcomed the resolution agreed by Transport Committee at its meeting on the 15 March which proposed a joint working group with the Green Economy Panel to oversee how transport can contribute to the regional emission reduction targets in the ESDP.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Panel considered a report which provided an overview of the existing and upcoming funding opportunities relating to the Green Economy Panel’s area of interest. 

The Panel noted the funding available from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through their Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA). The Panel discussed the low uptake across the City Region in the BEIS funding scheme and considered ways to better promote funding opportunities across the City Region.

The Panel also discussed the funding opportunity around Heat Networks Investment Projects (HNIP) and Panel Members requested an update around district heating at a future meeting.  

The Panel noted the Detailed Designs of Smart, Local Energy Systems competition as well as the forthcoming stage 2 submission under the Transforming Cities Fund.

Resolved:

(i)        That the report be noted.

(ii)       That the Panel promote the BEIS IEEA opportunities across their networks.

(iii)      That the Panel consider the new forthcoming DDSLES funding opportunity.

The Panel considered a report which outlined the progress of the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) and provide an update on its emerging replacement the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The Panel was informed that the total pipeline commitments represented 64% of the Leeds City Region ESIF allocation. Priority Axis 4: Supporting the Shift towards a Low Carbon Economy had 39% of its funding currently allocated to projects. It was noted that the final Priority Axis 4 call would be published in April with local calls to follow in June.

The Panel discussed the options available to address the low uptake in Priority Axis 4 which included republishing recent calls, moving funds between Priority Axes and providing further guidance to applicants. It was noted that Priority Axis 4 had performed poorly nationally due to its demanding eligibility criteria. The Panel considered what role they could play to ensure better promote the June call for projects. A two page summary would be shared on the eligibility criteria to help Panel members promote schemes.  

The Panel was updated on the development of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The Panel noted that consultations were underway from Government to inform the development of UKSPF. Discussion questions were attached at Appendix 1 and the Panel were asked to feed in comments.

Resolved:

(i)        That the progress made to date be noted.

(ii)       That the Panel’s feedback on the shape of the new UKSPF be noted.

(iii)      That the Panel’s feedback on how the uncommitted funding under Priority Axis 4 could be spent be noted

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on major policy developments.

These included:

·         Draft Environment Bill

·         Delivering Clean Growth

·         Draft Agricultural Bill

·         Smart Export Guarantee

·         UK Climate Targets

·         Green and Blue infrastructure

·         UK Climate Projections 2018

Resolved: That the Panel consider that they would like to explore in detail in 2019.

The Panel considered a report which outlined the business plan for the Green Economy Panel for 2019/20.

The Panel noted that the business plan for 2019/20 was linked to the report and was focussed on four objectives; productivity, inclusive growth, 21 century transport and enabling clean growth. The draft Green Economy work plan for 2019/20 was attached at appendix 1.

Members suggested that they would like to see the joint Transport Committee and Green Economy Panel reflected in the Panel Work Programme for 2019/20. Corporate power agreements were also raised as an area to explore.

Resolved:

(i)        That the Panel note the 2019/20 business plan for the Combined Authority.

(ii)       That the Green Economy Panel work programme 2019/20 be approved.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the progress against the Green Economy Panel’s major projects and programmes:

·         Energy Accelerator

·         Better Homes Yorkshire

·         Resource Efficiency Fund

·         REF2

·         District Heat Network Programme

·         Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and Development Plan

·         Energy, Strategy and Delivery Plan

·         North East, Yorkshire and Humber Energy Hub

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