Decisions

The following proposals have been developed and brought forward for decision under delegated authority granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the Combined Authority’s constituent councils:

a. The Full Business Case for the Thornbury Hospital Site and award of £3.806m via the Land Acquisition Fund which will be repaid fully by March 2025.

b. A Change Request for the Mass Transit project: To approve an additional £37k funding for Mass Transit accommodated with the ‘tail’ for that project.

c. The Feasibility and Development Funding Application Form for the Bus Service Improvement Plan/Enhanced Partnership and award of £537k.

Appendix 1 sets out further background detail.

1. To approve the Full Business Case for the Former Hospital Site Thornbury and award of £3.806m via the Land Acquisition Fund which will be repaid fully by March 2025.

2. To approve an additional £37k funding for Mass Transit accommodated with the ‘tail’ for that project.

3. To approve the Bus Service Improvement Plan Feasibility and Development Funding Application Form and award of £537k.

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on the award of regional recovery funding in consultation with the Chief Executives of the Combined Authority constituent councils.

A Feasibility and Development application was prepared (see Appendix 1) for the following project: West of England Visitor Economy Recovery project.

In summary, the proposal seeks to draw down £254,500 of the £1m extension to the Regional Recovery Fund agreed by the Combined Authority Committee in June 2021. The ambition is to provide a targeted, rapid response to the issues and opportunities in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector in the region, as the economy rebalances as lockdown eases. The wider objective is to test a range of approaches from both a supply and demand intervention perspective, to help inform future business cases. The ability to deliver this proposal as soon as possible is critical to its success.

This proposal addresses the immediate labour market and sustainability issues faced by the sector, whilst also providing support to ensure an international trade presence is maintained, with the tourism and travel industry in the short to medium term, while the commercial partnerships are re-assessed for future business development. This will ensure that a sustainable programme of future development is developed to maximise opportunities on behalf of the entire region.

The full Feasibility and Development Fund application is at Appendix 1.

To approve the Feasibility and Development funding application as per Appendix 1 for the West of England Visitor Economy Recovery project.

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on the award of Green Business Grants (through the Low Carbon Challenge Fund) in consultation with the Chief Executives of the West of England unitary authorities.

Green Business grant applications were submitted as follows:

Green Business grant applicant: Kingsway Laundry Ltd
Sector: Other service activities
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Air-to-water heat pump & pipe insulation
Project timescale: September - October 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Brian Wogan Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Clifton Coffee Company Ltd
Sector: Wholesale and retail trade
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: October 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Mil-Tu-Fit Engineering Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Air distribution pipework & LED lighting
Project timescale: October - December 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Wallis Conservation Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September – October 2021

The above applications were assessed by officers as meeting the required criteria in terms of value for money, deliverability and financial viability.

The Chief Executives of the West of England unitary authorities were consulted on these proposals and were in agreement with the decision.

1. To award £3,895 to Kingsway Laundry Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG120).

2. To award £15,000 to Brian Wogan Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG147).

3. To award £12,475 to Clifton Coffee Company Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG134).

4. To award £2,497.42 to Mil-Tu-Fit Engineering Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG105).

5. To award £10,290.19 to Wallis Conservation Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG135).

The Combined Authority’s Recovery Fund process resulted in a funding allocation for a business support programme for creative industries/businesses, following on from the successful Creative Scale-Up programme and match funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) (£500k recovery funding and £300k DCMS). The Creative Sector Growth Programme was designed through extensive engagement with the sector and the Creative Advisory Board.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with the Combined Authority’s delivery partner, Watershed, who will lead on peer support and training. The Combined Authority will manage the mentoring grants for businesses on the programme. 100 businesses will receive a grant of up to £3,000 for mentoring, coaching or consultancy which will be paid out on evidence of incurred costs. 20 businesses that demonstrate they are ready to scale up, and are looking to seek investment, will receive £6,000 for mentoring, coaching or consultancy. The programme will be delivered over two rounds.

Proposals for recommended awards for Round 1 were prepared, with engagement from West of England unitary authority economic development and business/skills lead officers. The proposals were also the subject of consultation with the Chief Executives of the West of England unitary authorities.

To approve the recommended Creative Sector growth programme - round 1 grant awards as per Appendix A.