Agenda item

(i)              Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services.

(ii)            Presentation by Regeneration Policy Team Leader, Regeneration and Local Services.

The Chair welcomed the Regeneration Policy Team Leader, Glenn Martin who was in attendance to provide the Committee with an update in relation to the North East Local Industrial Strategy (NE LIS) (for copy see file of minutes).

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader thanked the Chair and Committee for the opportunity to once again speak in relation the NE LIS.  He reminded Members that the NE LIS sat in between the National Industrial Strategy (NIS) and the North East Strategic Economic Plan (NE SEP) and noted that the strategic plan for the Northern Powerhouse was another element to be aware of.

Members noted the process in terms of the NE LIS, with LIS approvals from Government due in Autumn, drafts having been submitted.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader explained that nine “proposition summary packs’ had been circulated by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) with: five based upon the NIS ‘foundations’, namely ideas, people, places, infrastructure and business environment; and four based upon the NE SEP ‘areas of strategic importance’, namely manufacturing, digital, energy and health.  He added these were due to be agreed and signed-off by the end of September.

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader reminded Members of the engagement that had taken place via the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP), with the Leader, Councillor S Henig on the NELEP Board.  He added that there was representation on the NECA, the Vice-Chair of the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) sat on the NE LIS Evidence Forum and a NE LIS Summit had been held.

The Committee were reminded of the purpose of the LIS as set out by the former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire, linking to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) the replacement for EU Structural Funding.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader explained that Local Authorities were still awaiting official consultation on the UKSPF, originally due Autumn 2018, with some thought that it may now be next year, within Government’s longer-term spending plans.  Members were informed of recent consultation via various Government Select Committees, with feedback being given in terms of asking for clarity, and a recent Commons Briefing Paper noting levels of funding should be maintained at its current level and allocated on need. 

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader explained that issues included: an unclear position of the new Prime Minister and Chancellor on regional growth and funding; the ongoing Brexit uncertainty including replacement of EU funding, merging of funds and competitive bidding; and the investment in Combined Authorities.

L Maddison entered the meeting at 9.40am

The Committee were reminded of all those involved in terms of influencing, both through engagement and lobbying, including: civil servants; Industrial Communities Alliance; County Council’s Network; Chief Economic Development Officer’s Society; and other think tanks.

The Chair thanked the Regeneration Policy Team Leader and noted the Brexit date of 31 October rapidly approaching and asked as regards what would be in place after this date, would the SPF come into effect immediately.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that the EU Structural Fund ran until 2020, with some elements beyond that date, and all indications were for the SPF to follow as soon as possible after that, adding that any SPF consultation would be welcomed by the Authority.

Mrs R Morris asked as regards the four areas touched upon and noted she felt it would be useful to have publicity of the county, giving companies and businesses insight in advance as to what we have to offer, allowing us to compete.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that there had been a number of documents considered at a recent NELEP summit relating to the NE LIS and he would look to see if they were in the public domain.  However, these documents were inward looking, and he felt the question was more focussed on being outward looking.  Mrs R Morris noted that was correct, adding she felt that County Durham had a number of leading-edge companies and there was a good opportunity to promote and build upon what we had. 

Resolved:  

That the report and presentation be noted.

The Chair noted the Selective Licensing presentation would be taken as the next item for consideration.