Decisions

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on the award of regional recovery funding.

A Feasibility and Development Funding application was prepared setting out the case for releasing £336k from this fund to deliver an All Age Advice Centre pilot.

The project will deliver a portal and advice line to support individuals in making the right connections to pursue employment related support, training/learning or other opportunities open to them, with the aim of progressing into meaningful activity and progression (for full detail of the pilot, see Appendix 1).

The pilot approach will build in capacity to enable the Combined Authority and its unitary authority partners to examine the changed regional landscape, demand for and shortage of skills, and to build viable, long term, flexible solutions regionally and locally.

There will be rolling evaluation of the All Age Advice Centre pilot stage to establish viability, impact and the optimum delivery/staffing model post-pilot, including building on existing arrangements.

Business and skills leads across the West of England unitary authorities were involved in developing this proposal and the Chief Executives of the West of England unitary authorities were also consulted and in agreement with the decision.

To release £336k of funding and approve the Feasibility and Development funding application for the All Age Advice Centre 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: Atypic Skincare Ltd
Sector: Wholesale and retail trade
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Installation of Solar PV
Project timescale: November 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Atlantic Linen Services Ltd
Sector: Other service activities
Local authority area: South Gloucestershire
Project description: Installation of air compressor & LED lighting
Project timescale: November-December 2021

Green Business grant applicant: The Compass Inn Ltd
Sector: Accommodation and food service
Local authority area: South Gloucestershire
Project description: Installation of an induction range cooker
Project timescale: November 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Chorus IT Ltd
Sector: Information and communication
Local authority area: North Somerset
Project description: Installation of LED lighting
Project timescale: November – December 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 £10,750 to Atypic Skincare Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG136).

2. To award £8,442 to Atlantic Linen Services Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG150).

3. To award £6,967.98 to The Compass Inn Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG152).

4. To award £7,522.84 to Chorus IT Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG153).

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 report was prepared setting out the case for releasing £255,000 phase two funding from the Combined Authority’s High Street Renewal Catalyst grant programme, which forms part of the existing regional Recovery Fund for Bath & North East Somerset Council's Vacant Unit Action Project. The report also sought approval of the associated change request form (see Appendix 1).

The Vacant Unit Action Project builds on year 1 pilot interventions and aims to test a number of activities using vacant units to support meanwhile and temporary uses supporting High Street diversification bringing activity that supports high street vibrancy and retention of footfall.

This project proposal focuses on Bath, with a satellite project in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton. In Bath, the project aims to support the development of ideas into stimulating further pilots generated as part of the Milsom Quarter Masterplan on the future of High Streets and the project proposals are also informed by the Bath & North East Somerset Commercial Estates Review.

The Chief Executives of the Combined Authority’s constituent councils were consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the decision.

To release £255,000 of phase two funding (and approve the associated change request) from the Combined Authority’s High Street Renewal Catalyst grant programme (part of the existing regional Recovery Fund) for Bath & North East Somerset Council's Vacant Unit Action 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: PB Design & Developments Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: North Somerset
Project description: Installation of Solar PV
Project timescale: November - December 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Automatic Choice Ltd
Sector: Wholesale and retail trade
Local authority area: Bath & North East Somerset
Project description: Installation of LED lighting, heater timer and Solar PV
Project timescale: November 2021 - January 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 PB Design & Developments Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG084).

2. To award £8,456.50 to Automatic Choice Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG127).

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on the award of grants under the Digital Skills Investment Programme in consultation with the Chief Executives of the Combined Authority’s constituent councils.

The second funding call made a sum of £1,330,000 available to deliver digital training to support baseline/lower level digital skills (70%) and medium/higher level digital skills (30%).

Following the application and assessment process, 4 applications were recommended for approval as follows (in each case, particular conditions were also recommended prior to the release of funding as per the detail below):

1. Bath College led consortia including Bath Spa University and Royal United Hospital, Bath delivering lower, baseline digital skills to support 140 NHS band 2-4 workers develop sector-specific digital roles to support progression in healthcare roles. £177,484 requested.
Recommendation: Conditional approval, first requiring the submission of an acceptable outline of how this differentiates from existing Adult Education Budget funded provision.

2. NextGen led consortia including Opposable Games and TechSPARK delivering a bootcamp in games development, specifically around Unity and Unreal skills, building on their offer funded through call 1, which is on track. £76,488.61 requested.
Recommendation: Conditional approval, first requiring the submission of an acceptable explanation for how the applicant will achieve the target to enrol 100% of participants from target groups working collaboratively with local partners and building on learning from their existing call 1 funded bootcamp; and also providing relevant detail on programme content.

3. KWMC working with various partners to deliver baseline/lower level digital skills in 2D and 3D design to 52 participants to support routes into 4 employment strands: modern methods of construction, carpentry and fabrication, furniture and product design, and set building. £86,970 requested.
Recommendation: Conditional approval, first requiring the submission of an acceptable explanation of wider consortia partners and employer-specific and pre-determined involvement. Further information is also required to understand employability and further training progression routes for participants.

4. SGS College led consortia working with South Gloucestershire Council to deliver baseline/lower level sector-specific digital training through their In2Sport project, targeting individuals on probation and a project delivering digital skills for the education and health and social care industry totalling £82,209.83
Recommendation: Conditional approval, first requiring the submission of detailed clarifications on specific employer-led digital elements of each training area.

To award round 2 grants under the Digital Skills Investment Programme to the following applicants:

1. Bath College led consortia including Bath Spa University and Royal United Hospital, Bath - £177,484 - this allocation is conditional on the submission of an acceptable outline of how this differentiates from existing Adult Education Budget funded provision.

2. NextGen led consortia including Opposable Games and TechSPARK - £76,488.61 - this allocation is conditional on the submission of an acceptable explanation for how the applicant will achieve the target to enrol 100% of participants from target groups working collaboratively with local partners and building on learning from their existing call 1 funded bootcamp; and also providing relevant detail on programme content.

3. KWMC working with various partners - £86,970 - this allocation is conditional on the submission of an acceptable explanation of wider consortia partners and employer-specific and pre-determined involvement; further information is also required to understand employability and further training progression routes for participants.

4. SGS College led consortia working with South Gloucestershire Council - £82,209.83 – this allocation is conditional on the submission of detailed clarifications on specific employer-led digital elements of each training area.

The following phase 2 walking and cycling schemes have been developed and proposed for next-stage approval, in conjunction with the Combined Authority’s constituent councils:

Bath and North East Somerset Council:
1. Fielding’s Bridge: Replacement of existing bridge and improvement of cycle/pedestrian links in the vicinity of the bridge; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £50,000

2. Bath Road - Keynsham: Improvement of cycle facilities between Keynsham town centre and north Keynsham via Bath Hill/Road and Gaston Avenue/Unity Road including the roundabout at the junction of Fox & Hounds Land & Bath Hill; provision of cycle lanes; signage; a cycle/pedestrian crossing facility to the north of Unity Road and a cycle link each side of Bath Road; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £27,000

3. Silver Street/Fosseway walking route: Improvement to pedestrian routes between Midsomer Norton High Street, Norton Hill School and Fosseway via Charlton Road. This also includes providing a ‘missing’ section of pedestrian and/cycle off road route between the proposed Silver Street housing development and Charlton Road; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £114,500

4. Bath city centre to Weston village cycle route: Improvement of facilities between the city centre and Weston village, Bath; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £45,000

Bristol City Council:
5. Concorde Way / Dovercourt Depot: Provision of off-road segregated cycle path between Muller Road and Constable Road adjacent to the railway line; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £400,000

South Gloucestershire Council:
6. Thornbury - Grovesend/Gillingstool (Phase 2): Phase 2 of a new segregated cycle route linking the town centre pedestrianisation scheme to new development areas; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £100,000

7. Ring Road - Filton to MOD: Improvements to existing walking and cycling corridor, removing significant issues on current route; Phase 1 would deliver an improved junction at UWE North entrance, cycle priority at Holiday Inn entrance and improved pedestrian routes in Filton town centre strategic walking and cycling corridor, providing access to Metrobus services on the A4174; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £145,000

8. Keynsham Road - Bitton: New/improved cycle/pedestrian route between Keynsham and the Bristol to Bath railway path at Bitton; scheme development cost to Outline Business Case - £144,500

To approve the schemes within the Investment Fund phase 2 walking and cycling programme (with funding to be confirmed upon approval of Feasibility and Development Funding applications) as follows:

Bath and North East Somerset Council:
1. Fielding’s Bridge - £50,000
2. Bath Road - Keynsham - £27,000
3. Silver Street/Fosseway walking route - £114,500
4. Bath city centre to Weston village cycle route - £45,000

Bristol City Council:
5. Concorde Way/Dovercourt Depot - £400,000

South Gloucestershire Council:
6. Thornbury - Grovesend/Gillingstool (Phase 2) - £100,000
7. Ring Road - Filton to MOD - £145,000
8. Keynsham Road - Bitton - £144,500

The Weston General Stores project was allocated £1.7m through the Getting Building Fund through the application process to government in Summer 2020. An Outline Business Case for this project was previously submitted by North Somerset Council seeking this funding towards the £1.765m project cost. This was approved by the West of England Joint Committee in January 2021 with the approval of the Full Business Case delegated to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England unitary authority Chief Executives.

A Full Business Case https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Weston-General-Stores-FBC.pdf has been submitted for the project which will involve the refurbishment and repurposing of units within the Sovereign Centre, for which North Somerset Council owns the head lease, to support the regeneration of the town centre through diversification of use and creating an attractive space for work, collaboration and creativity. These uses include bookable workspace; events space; trading space for collective retail models, makers and micro manufacturers; a Weston-Super-Mare Cycle Hub offering cycle rental, storage and servicing; and a café and community space. The Business Case assessment summary table is shown in Appendix 1.

Advertising of planning consent for the external works to the building has been submitted. The landlord’s consent for the works is also being sought, aligned to the planning permission.

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

To grant conditional approval of the Full Business Case for the Weston General Stores project and the award of £1.7m from the Getting Building Fund subject to planning consent being secured and to the landlord’s consent for the works.