Agenda item

(Lead Member: The Mayor, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved:

That the progress made on implementing the West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Investment Plans be noted.

That the recommendations made by the West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Partnership Group at its meeting on the 6th March 2023 be noted and approved. The recommendations made are:

• the LPG was supportive of the £972,762 Women and Girls Programme providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the business case is finalised.

• the LPG endorsed the design of the Calls and the scoring framework at its meeting on the 6th March 2023 including the proposed funding envelopes and key policy areas for intervention as set out above providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the Invitation to Bid is finalised.

• the LPG endorsed the operating model at its meeting on the 6th March 2023 providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the full business case is finalised.

That the progress made on Pillar 1 Safety of Women and Girls strand and the delegation requested in Item 10b for the Chief Executive to authorise the scheme to proceed through the Assurance Process with full delivery costs approved for an April 2023 start be noted.

That the funding envelopes and priority areas for the three Pillar 2 Business Support open calls for projects via an invitation to bid be approved, and the Chief Executive be authorised to agree, prior to publication, the full Invitation to Bid documentation in consultation with the Mayor, the Chair of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee and the Interim Chair of the LEP – also Chair of the UKSPF Local Partnership Group (LPG), given the launch timescales.

That the progress made on Rural England Prosperity Fund be noted, the operating model be approved, and the delegation requested in Item 10b for the Chief Executive to authorise the scheme to proceed through the Assurance Process with full delivery costs approved for an April 2023 start be noted.

Members received an update regarding progress made on implementing the West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Investment Plans, including Core UKSPF, Multiply and the new Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Members noted there has been considerable work so far and expressed thanks to officers for their efforts. The Local Partnership Group last met on 6 March 2023, receiving helpful advice towards the progress included within the report. The Local Partnership group raised concerns about the timescale of delivery, but noted officers are doing as much as possible so there are no missed funding opportunities.

Officers noted the delegation of funding was already approved, but there is a deadline in early May to inform the government about how the money is spent. The government funding comes with guidelines about how it can be spent, and the Combined Authority is trying to align the spending with the Investment Strategy. The Mayor noted the needs of West Yorkshire are different to the needs of other areas of the country, and will support any dialogue with government to make a stronger case for being a part of the next Trailblazer devolution deal.

Members asked which partners have been consulted as part of the rural fund, members noted there are members on the panel who specifically engage with the network of rural stakeholders including the National Farmers’ Union, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and the Land and Business Association among others. Members asked if local parishes are included in consultation, officers responded they are not but consultation with them can be explored.

Resolved:

That the progress made on implementing the West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Investment Plans be noted.

That the recommendations made by the West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Partnership Group at its meeting on 6 March 2023 be noted and approved. The recommendations made are:

• the LPG was supportive of the £972,762 Women and Girls Programme providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the business case is finalised.

• the LPG endorsed the design of the Calls and the scoring framework at its meeting on the 6th March 2023 including the proposed funding envelopes and key policy areas for intervention as set out above providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the Invitation to Bid is finalised.

• the LPG endorsed the operating model at its meeting on 6 March 2023 providing their feedback and advice is taken in to account as the full business case is finalised.

That the progress made on Pillar 1 Safety of Women and Girls strand and the delegation requested in Item 10b for the Chief Executive to authorise the scheme to proceed through the Assurance Process with full delivery costs approved for an April 2023 start be noted.

That the funding envelopes and priority areas for the three Pillar 2 Business Support open calls for projects via an invitation to bid be approved, and the Chief Executive be authorised to agree, prior to publication, the full Invitation to Bid documentation in consultation with the Mayor, the Chair of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee and the Interim Chair of the LEP – also Chair of the UKSPF Local Partnership Group (LPG), given the launch timescales.

That the progress made on Rural England Prosperity Fund be noted, the operating model be approved, and the delegation requested in Item 10b for the Chief Executive to authorise the scheme to proceed through the Assurance Process with full delivery costs approved for an April 2023 start be noted.