Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shabir Pandor, Councillor Peter McBride, Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Councillor Darren Byford, Jonathon King, Michael Allen, Gareth Yates and Simon Wright.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

1.    To highlight Appendices 1 & 2 to Agenda Item 6, Appendices 1 & 2 to Agenda Item 7 and Appendix 1 of Agenda Item 8 which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2.    To consider whether or not to accept the officers’ recommendation in respect of the above information as set out in paragraph 8.1 of Agenda Item 6, paragraph 4.1 of Agenda Item 7, and paragraph 4.1 of Agenda Item 8.

3.    If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendices 1 & 2 of Agenda Item 6, Appendices 1 & 2 of Item 7 and Appendix 1 of Agenda Item 8 on the grounds that they are likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons set out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: That in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendices 1 & 2 of Agenda Item 6, Appendices 1 & 2 of Item 7 and Appendix 1 of Agenda Item 8 on the  grounds that they are likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons set  out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Business Investment Panel held on 12 July 2019 be approved and signed by the Chair.

The Panel considered a report which outlined the current position regarding progress in committing grants through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) Strategic Inward Investment Fund (SIIF).

An update was provided on previously approved projects to date

It was noted that there were no new grant applications for consideration at this meeting.

Resolved: That the Panel noted the progress of the Strategic Inward Investment Fund (SIIF).

The Panel considered a report to outline the current position regarding progress in committing grants through the Leeds City Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) Business Growth Programme (BGP)

The Business Investment Panel was asked to note the changes to the programme criteria, as outlined in section 3 of the report and consider the recommendation to deliver a second round of the Productivity pilot, as outlined in Section 4

Panel Members also considered the application outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report and detailed in exempt appendices 1 and 2.

Resolved:

(i)            That the Panel noted the changes to the programme criteria.

(ii)          That the Panel considered and provided feedback to the recommendation to deliver a second round of the Productivity Pilot.

(iii)         That the Panel considered the application outlined in 5.1 and recommended the project be approved subject to conditions being met by the applicant..

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the progress in committing loans through the Leeds City Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) Growing Places Fund (GPF).

The Panel was updated on the progress of live projects and their current risks, attached at exempt Appendix 1.

Resolved:

(i)            That the update on progress on the Growing Places Fund be noted.

(ii)          That the information provided in exempt Appendix 1 on progress of live loans through the Growing Places Fund programme and risks be noted and feedback given.

The Panel was provided with an update on work on future plans for grants and loans.  A verbal update was given at the meeting on progress of the first phase of this work.

Following discussions at the Business Investment Panel on 30 April and 12 July 2019, work on developing options for a new fund that responds to current market needs for business investment has progressed and further information was provided at Exempt Appendix 1.

Resolved:

(i)            That the Panel noted the update and progress on work and future plans.

(ii)          That the Panel noted the information provided in Exempt Appendix 1.

(iii)         That the Panel discussed and provided feedback to inform future activities.

The Next meeting is 9 October 2019 at 2pm in Committee Room A, Wellington House Leeds.

The next meeting of the Business Investment Panel will be 9 October 2019 at 2pm, in Committee Room A, Wellington House Leeds.