Decisions

Owing to the need to manage scheme changes, including any necessary funding swaps to ensure full grant spend in advance of the next Combined Authority/Joint Committee meeting, the following delegations to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England unitary authority Chief Executives were granted at the 29 January 2021 meeting of the Combined Authority/Joint Committee:
- Approval of changes to funding profile and programme for schemes within the current Local Growth Fund (LGF), Getting Building Fund (GBF), Economic Development Fund (EDF) and Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF) programmes.
- Approval of the reallocation of funding for schemes in the approved LGF/GBF programme including swaps with the EDF, and exceptionally the Investment Fund.

The following change to a scheme was subsequently identified for approval:

UMBRELLA (Urban Multi Wireless Broadband & IoT Testing for Local Authority and Industrial Applications)
Spend: Reprofiling £188K of EDF from 21/22 to 20/21 (revised EDF total £353K, £188K in 20/21 and £165K in 21/22)
Milestones: three milestones delayed between 2-5 months including Research Project Pipeline Development and Competitions (to August 21) and Complete Fibre Build (to June 21).

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

To approve the following change request:
UMBRELLA (Urban Multi Wireless Broadband & IoT Testing for Local Authority and Industrial Applications)
Spend: Reprofiling £188K of EDF from 21/22 to 20/21 (revised EDF total £353K, £188K in 20/21 and £165K in 21/22)
Milestones: three milestones delayed between 2-5 months including Research Project Pipeline Development and Competitions (to August 21) and Complete Fibre Build (to June 21).

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority 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 considered as follows:

Green Business grant applicant: Nutrisure Ltd
Sector: Accommodation and food service
Local authority area: Bath & North East Somerset
Project description: installation of solar PV to roof of warehouse.
Project timescale: August 2021
Approximate annual savings analysis of the proposal:
* Annual greenhouse gas emissions: 22.6tCO2e
* Annual energy use: 63% offset electricity use
* Annual energy cost: £7,053 on energy bills

Green Business grant applicant: Lobster Picture Ltd
Sector: Professional, scientific and technical activities
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: £2,350 for replacement of current lighting system with new LED light fittings.
Project timescale: June 2021
Approximate annual savings analysis of the proposal:
* Annual greenhouse gas emissions: 3.0tCO2e
* Annual energy use: 17.4% on electricity use
* Annual energy cost: £945 on energy bills

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 £14,397 to Nutrisure Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG076).
2. To award £2,350 to Lobster Picture Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG090).