Decisions

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.

Delegated authority was granted (through a decision taken by the West of England Combined Authority Committee on 25 June 2021) to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take decisions on further recovery funding of up to £1m in consultation with the Chief Executives of the Combined Authority’s constituent councils.

A proposal was subsequently developed for the allocation of the £1m to develop work, and business cases where appropriate, in the following areas:

1. Climate and environment - work to develop the evidence to support the increased regional ambition on climate emergency, a green recovery plan, support for pollinators and work to accelerate retrofit across the region. The Combined Authority will continue to work with the sustainability officers group including representatives from all the unitary authorities to develop this.

2. Jobs and skills - development of a streamlined jobs and skills offer including access to support, signposting and identification of gaps in provision. This will work alongside and complement local arrangements and will recognise the geographical area within which residents and business operate. Skills officers across the unitary authorities will be involved in the development of this work.

3. Recovery and reopening - support for the region’s businesses, including promoting and celebrating the region’s economy and environment as the region reopens, to include championing and supporting regional culture, tourism, hospitality, leisure, high streets and green spaces.

To allocate the £1m of further recovery funding to develop work, and business cases where appropriate, in the following areas:

1. Climate and environment - work to develop the regional evidence to support the increased ambition on climate emergency, a green recovery plan, support for pollinators and work to accelerate retrofit across the region.

2. Jobs and skills - development of a streamlined jobs and skills offer including access to support, signposting and identification of gaps in provision.

3. Recovery and reopening - support for the region’s businesses, including promoting and celebrating the region’s economy and environment as the region reopens, to include championing and supporting regional culture, tourism, hospitality, leisure, high streets and green spaces.

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: Magnus Services Ltd
Sector: Other service activities
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Bascom Ltd
Sector: Administrative and support service activities
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Roof insulation
Project timescale: August - December 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Graham Carruthers Partnership Ltd
Sector: Professional, scientific and technical activities
Local authority area: South Gloucestershire
Project description: Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, and lighting
Project timescale: August 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Trinity Community Enterprises Ltd
Sector: Arts, entertainment and recreation
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September - December 2021

Green Business grant applicant: JHB (Bristol) Ltd
Sector: Wholesale and retail trade
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: LED lighting
Project timescale: August 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Apex Elements Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: LED lighting
Project timescale: August - September 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Jeff Way Electrical Services Ltd
Sector: Construction
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation, loft insulation and LED lighting
Project timescale: August - September 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Nylaplas Engineering Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: North Somerset
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September - October 2021

Green Business grant applicant: Left Handed Giant Ltd
Sector: Manufacturing
Local authority area: Bristol
Project description: Solar PV installation
Project timescale: September 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 £2,112.50 to Magnus Services Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG004).

2. To award £10,660.06 to Bascom Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG019).

3. To award £9,194.60 to Graham Carruthers Partnership Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG074).

4. To award £8,850 to Trinity Community Enterprises Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG095).

5. To award £1,078.65 to JHB (Bristol) Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG110).

6. To award £9,587.65 to Apex Elements Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG115).

7. To award £10,513 to Jeff Way Electrical Services Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG119).

8. To award £15,000 to Nylaplas Engineering Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG125).

9. To award £12,250 to Left Handed Giant Ltd in relation to their Green Business Grant application (ref: GBG137).