Agenda and minutes

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

That Mayor Bowles be elected as Chair of the Joint Committee for the 2019/20 municipal year.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

That Cllr Savage be elected as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee for the 2019/20 municipal year.

In the event of a fire, please await direction from staff who will help assist with the evacuation.   Please do not return to the building until instructed to do so by the fire warden(s).

The Chair thanked Bath & North East Somerset Council for hosting the meeting, welcomed attendees to the meeting and introduced his colleagues:

• Mayor Marvin Rees, Bristol City Council
• Cllr Toby Savage, Leader, South Gloucestershire Council
• Cllr Dine Romero, Leader, Bath & North East Somerset Council
• Cllr Donald Davies, Leader, North Somerset Council

The Chair welcomed Cllr Dine Romero and Cllr Donald Davies to their first meetings of the Joint Committee.

At this point, the Chair thanked former Bath & North East Somerset Council Leader Tim Warren for his services and contribution to the work of the Joint Committee.  He also recorded his congratulations to Tim Warren on the CBE awarded to him recently in the Queen’s birthday honours.

The Chair also thanked Cllr Nigel Ashton, former North Somerset Council leader for his services and contribution to the work of the Joint Committee.

The evacuation procedure for the venue was then announced by the Chair.

The Chair then informed everybody present that the meeting was being recorded and that the recording would be available to view after the meeting on the Combined Authority website. Any individuals present who did not wish to be filmed were asked to indicate this.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Professor Steve West, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership Board and Cllr Stephen Clarke, Chair of the Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Members who consider that they have an interest to declare are asked to: a) State the item number in which they have an interest, b) The nature of the interest, c) Whether the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, non-disclosable pecuniary interest or non-pecuniary interest. Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 1 & 15 February 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the West of England Joint Committee.

In relation to the recently announced Queen’s birthday honours, the Chair extended his congratulations regarding the respective MBEs awarded to Nick Sturge, Director of Engine Shed for services to the digital economy, and to Paul Appleby, the Creative Sector Chair on the Local Enterprise Partnership for services to the creative industries of Bristol and Bath.

The Chair also shared the following news about the Combined Authority’s recent activities:

• A commitment had been secured from the Secretary of State for Transport for an extra £31.9m to complete the funding needed to reopen the railway to Portishead and Pill. This formed part of the ambitious MetroWest plans which would see the opening of new railway lines and stations, benefiting residents and helping the region prosper while reducing congestion and air pollution.

• Earlier this week, the Science Minister, Chris Skidmore had unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the latest stage in the development of the University of Bath’s new £70m Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems at the Bristol and Bath Science Park. £10 million had been allocated to this through the Local Growth Fund. The West of England was set to take a leading role in the development of ultra-low emission vehicles. The project also supported the ambitions for clean economic growth and to attract even more innovative businesses to the region.

• The £11m Food Works SW innovation centre, also supported through the Local Growth Fund, was on schedule to open in Weston-super-Mare in the spring next year – creating around 250 new jobs, and providing 12 food grade business units for lease, with access to a range of product development facilities and specialist technical and business support.

• Two flagship facilities had recently opened at Weston College, funded through the Local Growth Fund. The £13 million Health and Active Living Skills Centre would welcome its first students this September, providing learners with knowledge of the healthcare and sport sectors as well as vital industry skills. The college would also play a lead role in tackling the construction skills shortage with a multi-million pound construction training centre – which opened in May to offer training in seven key areas of construction – plant, health and safety, scaffolding, highway and groundworks, warehousing and apprenticeships. The Construction Training Centre had been made possible by the College match-funding a successful bid for £3.3m funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the Combined Authority.

·         The region had been announced as one of 12 winning bids to host an ‘Institute of Technology’ which would bring a share of £170m from the Department for Education to offer higher level technical training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Institute of Future Technology would attract more learners to higher education from under-represented groups in technical and higher education, helping to address emerging skills gaps in the economy.

To receive any comments from the Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

It was noted that the Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership Board, Professor Steve West had given his apologies for the meeting.  Comments submitted for this meeting by the Chair, setting out an update on the Local Industrial Strategy, LEP Board recruitment and the proposed constitutional changes referred to as part of the Annual Business Report (agenda item 11) had been circulated.  The Joint Committee noted these comments, a copy of which would be available to view on the Combined Authority’s website.

To receive any comments from the Chair of the Combined Authority’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

It was noted that comments from the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been presented at the Combined Authority Committee meeting earlier that afternoon.  Those comments had also been circulated for the Joint Committee’s information and covered the following issues:

1. A request that the Combined Authority should declare a Climate Emergency.

2. Comments on the constitutional changes set out in the Combined Authority Annual Business Report (agenda item 11); specifically, a request that individuals should be permitted to ask oral supplementary questions at Combined Authority committee meetings in respect of the replies they received to written questions.

The Joint Committee noted these comments, a copy of which would be available to view on the Combined Authority’s website.

If you wish to present a petition or make a statement at this meeting, you are required to submit this by 12 noon on the working day before the meeting by e-mail to democratic.services@westofengland-ca.gov.uk   For this meeting, this means that your petition/statement must be received in this office by 12 noon on Thursday 13 June 2019.

If you wish to ask a question at the meeting, you are required to submit the question in writing to democratic.services@westofengland-ca.gov.uk  by no later than 3 working days before the meeting. For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office by the end of Monday 10 June 2019.

In presenting any statements at the meeting, members of the public are generally permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each. The total time available for this session is 30 minutes so at the discretion of the Chair, speaking time may sometimes be reduced depending on how many public items are received. Please note that all public items will be circulated in advance of the meeting to the committee members.

2 questions had been submitted in advance of this meeting, as follows:

1. Christina Biggs - subject: MetroWest / rail issues
2. Cllr Clive Stevens (Bristol City Council) - subject: Local Enterprise Revenue outturn report 2018/19

5 statements had been received in advance of the meeting, as follows:

1. David Redgewell - subject: Transport issues
2. Celia McCarthy - subject: Climate emergency
3. Cllr Mark Weston (Bristol City Council) - subject: MetroWest - update and funding decision (agenda item 15)
4. Christina Biggs - subject: MetroWest and other funding issues
5. Cllr Clive Stevens (Bristol City Council) - subject: Local Enterprise Revenue outturn report 2018/19

At the invitation of the Chair, and in accordance with the constitution, those in attendance were given the opportunity to present their statements.  It was noted that the full text of the statements, and questions/replies had been circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting and would be available to view on the Combined Authority’s website following the meeting.

To receive any petitions to be presented by any members of the Joint Committee.

No petitions had been notified for this meeting.

Report enclosed.

The Joint Committee considered a report (agenda item 12) setting out the draft revenue outturn position for the 2018/19 financial year in relation to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Invest Bristol and Bath revenue budgets.

The Chair highlighted the following points:

·         Appendix 1 of the report set out the LEP draft revenue outturn position for 2018-19; overall, this showed a net surplus of £464k.

·         Appendix 2 set out the Invest Bristol and Bath draft outturn position for 2018/19; this showed a breakeven position.

·         The report also included a recommendation to allocate £150k from the LEP reserve for the West of England Leadership Challenge subject to a final business case demonstrating the regional outcomes deliverable through this funding.

The report recommendations were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Savage.

Mayor Rees welcomed the proposal to allocate £150k for the West of England Leadership Challenge.  This programme would reach out to and include a diverse range of participants from the region (in terms of race, gender and background) and from across public, private, voluntary and community sectors to develop their capacity for leadership.  Institutions across the region needed to show they were prepared to make intentional interventions and demonstrate ongoing commitment to promote diversity in leadership so that, as institutions, they were both relevant to and reflected the local population. 

Cllr Romero noted that committee reports included risk and equalities impact assessments, and details of any financial and legal implications arising from proposals.  She suggested that it would be appropriate for the climate change impact of proposals to also be assessed as part of the reporting process.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To note the LEP draft outturn position as set out in Appendix 1.

2.    To approve the transfer to reserves as detailed in paragraph 2.1.6

3.    To approve the allocation of £150k from the LEP reserve for the ‘West of England Leadership Challenge’ subject to a final business case that demonstrates the regional outcomes deliverable through this funding. Approval to draw down the funding to be delegated to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executive Officers.

4.    To note the Invest Bristol and Bath draft outturn position as set out in Appendix 2.

Report enclosed.

The Joint Committee considered a report (agenda item 13) regarding business cases for schemes seeking approval for funding through the Local Growth Fund and Economic Development Fund, and also setting out an update on other externally funded grant programmes.

The Chair highlighted that the report included:

• Details about business cases for schemes seeking approval for funding through the Local Growth Fund and Economic Development Funds.
• Details of a number of change requests within the current programme.
• An update on further grant awards received for the South West Energy Hub, Low Carbon Challenge Fund, Women Into Digital Jobs, Education and Training, and the Creative Scale-Up programme.

The report recommendations were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Romero.

In connection with recommendation 4, Cllr Romero asked that an assurance be given that, subject to the conditions set out being met, funding would be forthcoming for the Bath College Digital and Creative Innovation Centre.  In response to this point, the Mayor advised that the Combined Authority would write to Cllr Romero to confirm the position and provide assurance on the point raised.

In connection with recommendation 5 (approval of Full Business Case for Keynsham High Street), Cllr Romero referred to a letter she had received from a newly elected Keynsham councillor welcoming this investment.

In connection with recommendation 1, Cllr Savage welcomed the proposal to approve the Full Business Case for the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) centre at WISE Campus, Stoke Gifford (subject to the conditions detailed).  He also welcomed the proposal to approve the Full Business Case for the Umbrella project (subject to the conditions detailed) which would promote robotics and related innovations that could ultimately help transform people’s lives. 

Cllr Davies welcomed the package of investment proposals, noting the importance of investing in sustainable projects.  In response to a question from Cllr Davies, it was noted that an appropriate degree of over-programming of projects was built into the LGF programme to take account of the inevitable slippage that would take place in some projects; it was recognised this was inherent in taking forward a wide range of projects at the same time. 

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the reallocation of the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre project from the Local Growth Fund programme to the emerging UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

2.    To approve the Full Business Case for the STEAM Centre at WISE Campus, Stoke Gifford subject to securing planning consent and design to RIBA stage 3 with the submission of an updated cost plan.

3.    To approve the Full Business Case for the Animal Management Education Centre.

4.    To review the funding position for the Digital and Creative Innovation centre when planning consent and design to RIBA stage 3 has been achieved noting that should the scheme progress, the tail of funding would need to be underwritten by B&NES Economic Development Fund allocation.

5.    To approve the Full Business Case for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report enclosed.

The Joint Committee considered an information report (agenda item 14) setting out an annual assessment of the Combined Authority’s Business Plan for 2018/19.

The Chair highlighted that the report included:

·         A summary of key projects and activities delivered during 2018/19 that supported the objectives of driving inclusive growth, supporting the region’s businesses to grow, fostering innovation and investing in infrastructure.

·         A detailed section reporting back on each of the activities included in the 2018/19 Business Plan.

·         Details of the Local Enterprise Partnership delivery plan which was focused on specific metrics for LEP funded activity, including the Local Growth Fund, Growth Hub and Invest Bristol & Bath.

·         A summary of the risks associated with the delivery of the Business Plan and their mitigations.

Cllr Savage welcomed the helpful format of the report, which highlighted and helped communicate the Combined Authority’s work.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

-  To note the report.

Report enclosed.

The Joint Committee considered a report (agenda item 15) providing an update on the progress of MetroWest Phase 1a and 1b and seeking the next required committee approvals.

The Chair highlighted that the report set out an update on MetroWest Phase 1a and 1b in terms of governance, meeting the funding gap, the further allocation of funds and next steps, including the submission of the Development Consent Order.

The report recommendation was then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Davies.

Cllr Davies welcomed the report, noting that MetroWest would improve connectivity in the region; every effort should be made to deliver the project as per the expected delivery timescales.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations.

The Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To note the progress of the MetroWest Phase 1a and 1b programme, and in particular, the letter of 5 April 2019 from the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, providing for £31.9m to meet the scheme funding gap. This funding will be subject to successful achievement of the Department’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) process.

2.    To authorise the West of England Combined Authority to enter into an Initial Promotion Agreement (IPA) (version 3) with North Somerset Council (NSC) to enact the governance decisions made within the West of England Joint Committee resolution of November 2018.

3.    To approve (subject to Outline Business Case) project draw down of a further £4.491m for 2019/20 and £7.159m for 2020/21, totalling £11.6m of the Local Growth Fund allocated to complete the technical work, and the Development Consent Order (DCO) process to Full Business Case.

4.    Reflecting the position of the West of England Combined Authority as joint promoter of the scheme, to agree to submit the DCO application, with an understanding of the associated share of project risks and liabilities.

Details of the decisions taken at this meeting and the draft minutes of this meeting will be published on the West of England Combined Authority website as soon as possible after the meeting.

In closing the meeting, the Chair advised that details of the decisions taken at this meeting and the draft minutes of the meeting would be published as soon as possible on the Combined Authority website.