Decisions

In January 2021, the Combined Authority Committee granted delegated authority to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take a decision on the use of the £1m Innovation for Renewal and Opportunity influence fund in consultation with the Chief Executives of the West of England Combined Authority constituent councils.

Working closely with Business & Skills Directors across the constituent councils and the telecoms industry, the Combined Authority has successfully secured the DCMS funding required to deliver a West of England Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) pilot.

The pilot is expected to deliver the following benefits:
• Better access to digital connectivity for residents and business due to accelerated roll-out of wireless networks across the region.
• Faster deployment of digital infrastructure as local councils can more easily share data with mobile companies, improve access to publicly owned sites, and speed up site acquisition.
• Lower costs and efficiencies for local authorities and network providers by making the transactions between public sector location asset owners and telecommunications companies simpler and quicker.
• Increased utilisation of publicly owned assets in line with community interests and place-making ambitions
• Building public sector expertise and capacity to support the rapid deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

Approval was given to an allocation of £250,000 from the Influence Fund to the costs of the DCIA pilot.

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: Wiper & True Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Carbon dioxide recovery
Project timescale: March – September 2022

Green Business grant applicant: Exchange Venue Bristol Ltd
Sector: Arts, entertainment and recreation
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Mechanical ventilation heat recovery & solar PV
Project timescale: January – March 2022

Green Business grant applicant: Forthglen Investments Ltd
Sector: Accommodation and food service
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: 2 beer chillers & LED lighting
Project timescale: February -July 2022

Green Business grant applicant: Beam Ltd
Sector: Information and communication
Local authority area: South Gloucestershire
Project description: LED lighting, solar PV, roof insulation & air-to-air heat pumps
Project timescale: January – February 2022

Green Business grant applicant: Robbins Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: solar PV
Project timescale: January – May 2022

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 £15,000 to Wiper & True Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG075) for carbon dioxide recovery.

2. To award £10,776.80 to Exchange Venue Bristol Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG131) for mechanical ventilation heat recovery & solar PV.

3. To award £15,000 to Forthglen Investments Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG138) for 2 beer chillers & LED lighting

4. To award £5,634 to Beam Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG175) for LED lighting, solar PV, roof insulation & air-to-air heat pumps

5. To award £15,000 to Robbins Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG177) for solar PV.

The 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 DCMS (£500k recovery funding and £300k DCMS). The CSGP was designed through extensive engagement with the sector and the Creative Advisory Board.

The programme is delivered in partnership with the Combined Authority’s delivery partner Watershed (contracted through procurement) who lead on peer support and training. The Combined Authority manages the mentoring grants for businesses on the programme.

Round 2 applications were assessed and scored through the agreed process, as a result of which it was identified that 68 businesses could be supported at a total cost of £234,000

Approval was given for grant funding 68 businesses in the second Creative Sector Growth Programme round, providing £3,000 - £6,000 per business for mentoring, at a total cost of £234,000. Further details are set out at Appendix A.