Issue - meetings

Report for consideration by the Joint Committee.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the proposals for the use of the Getting Building Fund as set out in paragraphs 5.1 - 5.3.

2. To approve the Full Business Case for Temple Quarter Enabling Works up to £32m, with a requirement on Bristol City Council to provide detailed information on the works specification and anticipated cost profile.

3. To approve the change requests for schemes within the LGF programme as set out in Appendix 1.

4. To approve the change requests for schemes within the EDF and RIF programmes set out in Appendix 2.

5. To delegate the detailed funding allocations and grant funding arrangements for the South West Energy Hub Green Homes Grant to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the South West LEP Chief Executives.

The Joint Committee considered a report setting out the latest Local Enterprise Partnership One Front Door funding programme report (agenda item 13).

The Chair highlighted that:

* The report set out proposals for the use of the £13.7m Getting Building Fund secured from the Government.  This supported the following capital projects that would benefit the region’s recovery:

- Keynsham town centre improvements

- Enabling infrastructure at Bath Quays South

- The Umbrella testbed in South Gloucestershire

- Emersons Green local transport enhancements

- Improvements on the A4018 Corridor

- Weston General Stores

- Opening of the Portway Park and Ride station.

* The report also sought approval for the Full Business Case for Temple Quarter Enabling Works (Bristol project) with an allocation of up to £32m to deliver infrastructure to enable the development of significant office space, residential units, a hotel and conference centre and new public realm. This was a flagship regional project that he was pleased to see progressing.

* The report sought approval of a delegation to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive (in consultation with South West LEP Chief Executives) to take forward the Green Homes Grant, as announced in the Chancellor’s Summer economic update in July.  This was part of a national green recovery programme from which the South West Energy Hub was likely to receive a grant allocation of between £40-55m. This would help low income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

* A number of scheme change requests were included in the appendices to projects funded through the Local Growth Fund, Economic Development Fund and the Revolving Infrastructure Fund.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Romero.

Mayor Rees welcomed the proposed allocation of up to £32m to deliver enabling works at Temple Quarter.  As part of this development, significant levels of new housing and new jobs would be realised, and the full development of the site would bring a very positive GVA impact.  Taking forward the work on this major project was a good example of demonstrating to government the region’s ability to deliver major projects.  He welcomed the work being taken forward to establish a joint delivery team to support this work, and (in terms of the change requests) the investment proposed to assist the Bristol Beacon transformation project.

Cllr Savage welcomed the report, drawing attention to improvements in the Yate area, where progress on the A432 Yate Park & Ride together with the increased frequency of MetroWest rail services to/from Yate represented a significantly improved public transport offer for the area. 

Cllr Romero welcomed the investment in Temple Quarter (this being a project which would bring benefits for the whole region) and the investment in Keynsham town centre improvements and at Bath Quays.  She was also supportive of the proposals to take forward Green Homes grant funding arrangements; it would be important to ensure an equitable distribution of the grant to ensure that assistance was targeted at those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13