Economic Development Sub- Committee

Transcription

1 Economic Development Sub- Committee Date: 19 January 2015 Time: Venue: 10.00am Edwards Room, County Hall, Norwich Persons attending the meeting are requested to turn off mobile phones. Membership Mr R Bird Dr A Boswell Mr S Clancy Mr S Hebborn Mr I Mackie Mr B Spratt (Chairman) Mr J Timewell Mrs C Walker Mr M Wilby Ex-Officio Non-Voting Member Mr G Nobbs For further details and general enquiries about this Agenda please contact the Committee Officer: Anne Pickering on or committees@norfolk.gov.uk Under the Council s protocol on the use of media equipment at meetings held in public, this meeting may be filmed, recorded or photographed. Anyone who wishes to do so must inform the Chairman and ensure that it is done in a manner clearly visible to anyone present. The wishes of any individual not to be recorded or filmed must be appropriately respected. 1

2 Economic Development Sub-Committee 19 January 2015 A g e n d a 1. To receive apologies and details of any substitute members attending 2. To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November Members to Declare any Interests Page 4 If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be considered at the meeting and that interest is on your Register of Interests you must not speak or vote on the matter. If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be considered at the meeting and that interest is not on your Register of Interests you must declare that interest at the meeting and not speak or vote on the matter. In either case you may remain in the room where the meeting is taking place. If you consider that it would be inappropriate in the circumstances to remain in the room, you may leave the room while the matter is dealt with. If you do not have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest you may nevertheless have an Other Interest in a matter to be discussed if it affects your well being or financial position that of your family or close friends that of a club or society in which you have a management role that of another public body of which you are a member to a greater extent than others in your ward. If that is the case then you must declare an interest but can speak and vote on the matter. 4. To receive any items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency 5. Local Member Issues/Member Questions Fifteen minutes for local members to raise issues of concern of which due notice has been given. Please note that all questions must be received by the Committee Team (committees@norfolk.gov.uk or ) by 5pm on 14 th January Presentation on Norfolk s Economic Growth 2

3 Presentation by Mr John Fisher from Grant Thornton Economic Development Sub-Committee 19 January Norfolk Rail Group Report by Interim Executive Director of Community and Environmental Services 8. Scottow Enterprise Park Working Group Report by Interim Executive Director of Community and Environmental Services 9. Finance and Performance Monitoring report Report by Interim Executive Director of Community and Environmental Services 10. NORA housing project update Report by Interim Executive Director of Community and Environmental Services Page 41 Page 45 Page 51 Page North Walsham and Dilham Canal Presentation by Ivan Cane from North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust 12. Forward Plan Report by Interim Executive Director of Community and Environmental Services Page 71 Group Meetings Conservative 9.00am Colman Room, County Hall UK Independence Party 9:00am Room 504 Labour 9:00am Room 513 Liberal Democrats 9:00am Room 530 Chris Walton Head of Democratic Services County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DH Date Agenda Published: 9 th January If you need this document in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact on or (textphone) and we will do our best to help. 3

4 Present: Economic Development Sub- Committee Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 November 2014 at am at County Hall. Mr B Spratt (Chairman) Mr R Bird Dr A Boswell Mr S Clancy Mr S Hebborn Also Present: Mr R Bearman Nigel Dixon Mr T FitzPatrick Mr I Mackie Mr J Timewell Mrs C Walker Mr M Wilby Mr T Garrod Mr G Nobbs Mr A White 1 Apologies and Substitutions No apologies received. 2 Minutes 2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2014 were confirmed as a correct record by the Sub-Committee and signed by the Chairman. 3 Declaration of Interest 3.1 No declarations were made. 4 Items of Urgent Business 4.1 No items of urgent business 5 Local Member Issues / Questions 5.1 No Local Member questions were received. 6. Order of Business 6.1 The Sub-Committee agreed to discuss items 7,6,13 and 14 (County Farms and RAF Coltishall update) in that order before returning to the order of business set out on the agenda. The Chairman advised that item 8 had been withdrawn. 4

5 7. County Farms Member Working Group 7.1 The Sub-Committee received a verbal update from the Chairman of County Farms Advisory Board Mr I Mackie. 7.2 The Chairman of the County Farms Advisory Board advised there had been real progress for the county farms estate. 7.3 The board were looking at other areas to develop such as tourism, food and sustainable energy. Also the possibility of working with the youth offending team. 7.4 The Chairman of County Farms announced there was revenue of 370,000 available and would like to recommend that this could be put forward to fill the gap in revenue for the highways once the budget consultation had been completed. 7.5 The Sub-Committee noted the County Farms verbal report. 8. RAF Coltishall update and development of Business Plan and detailed Master Plan for the technical area. 8.1 The Sub-Committee received a presentation from the Manager responsible for RAF Coltishall, Mr T Edmunds. A copy of this is attached at Appendix A to these minutes. The presentation and report outlined two options for a 10 Year Business Plan for the former RAF Coltishall, acquired by the Council in January It set out capital investment and revenue impacts, costs/returns. Its strategic impact was to create jobs, increase the sustainability of the settlement of Badersfield and contribute more widely to the Norfolk economy, including making a financial return to the Council on its investment in the site. 8.2 During the discussion the following points were made:- Significant funding was required to bring all buildings that have a commercial future back into productive reuse. This would not be required all in one go but as each building is developed on a Business Case by Business Case basis. The timing of this is dependent upon market appetite. Of the buildings on site, 15% had been earmarked for demolition; these are the buildings that are not viable for commercial, heritage or community use. Any changes to any buildings would be done through collaborative working between Norfolk County Council, the district councils and English Heritage to mitigate any harm to the buildings or the wider Conversation Area. Heritage Lottery Enterprise grant funding is being considered in relation to financial support to convert buildings, in the first instance a hanger, for commercial reuse.however it was noted that this was a very competitive process so could represent a possible risk in terms of securing funding. The Sub-Committee discussed whether Norfolk County Council had the 5

6 expertise to secure the best deals and to push forward with the business plan. Members were assured that significant expertise existed within the Council, but where the Council required additional support it would be sourced externally. Officers commented that despite some of the constraints that exist, rents had been secured at or in many cases above market levels. The Sub-Committee discussed the rate of return on the site and it was confirmed that the rate of return was potentially good with the expectation that the rent from tenants would surpass the cost to run the site next year. The planning application for the new solar farm on the site was with North Norfolk District Council and Broadland District Council currently and would expect a decision in mid-december. 9. Exclusion of the Public RAF Coltishall update and development of Business Plan and detailed Master Plan for the technical area. Appendices 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and The Sub-Committee was advised that, with regard to item 14, RAF Coltishall update and development of Business Plan and detailed Master Plan for the technical area. Appendices 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which was to be brought forward on the agenda. The Committee would need to consider whether to exclude the public for the consideration of the report. The Assistant Director Economic Development & Strategy presented the public interest test, as required by the 2006 Access to Information Regulations for the consideration of the Committee as follows: Exclusion of press and public in relation to Appendices 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this report is sought under paragraph 3 of part 1 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act This report contains specific proposals which are commercially sensitive. Disclosure of those proposals at this stage could weaken the Council's negotiating position. We believe that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information 9.2 The Sub-Committee RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst the report was considered. 10. RAF Coltishall update and development of Business Plan and detailed Master Plan for the technical area. Appendices 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 - Summary of Minute Excluded from Public Deposit The Sub-Committee received the exempt appendices and presentation which outlined the commercially sensitive pieces of information regarding the potential investment and redevelopment of the former RAF Coltishall and considered them together with the Supplementary Agenda item 6 papers pages A2-A The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to:- 6

7 Support investing in the site to bring forward employment opportunities as early as possible in accordance with Option 1. Investment to improve the building stock would be phased, and would prioritise buildings that had the highest rate of return on investment. The actual rate the programme would be delivered at would reflect the market and the ability of the Council to secure tenants for the buildings it had improved before moving on to subsequent phases and underwrite the forecast revenue pressures in 2016/17 and 17/18 using the Norfolk Infrastructure Fund. To cease referring to the site as the former RAF Coltishall site and take forward the new employment area as Scottow Enterprise Park, the new residential development off Lamas Road as New Batley Green. To refer to the heritage offer under the Spirit of Coltishall branding and note that the naming of the solar farm and Officer s Mess housing development are matters for the prospective developers. Officers would provide the Terms of Reference for a member group which would have oversight of Coltishall to the next Economic Development Sub- Committee meeting. 11. Finance and Performance Monitoring report 11.1 The Sub-Committee received the report from the Interim Executive Director of the Community and Environmental Services which updated the Committee with the Financial Position to the end of October. It provided the Committee with information on key areas of activity and details of any variances from the original budget, emerging issues, impacts on performance and the planned use of reserves The Sub-Committee requested that a capital budget could be included within the financial report for the next meeting which would show earmarked funds The Committee NOTED the report. 12. External Appointments 12.1 The Sub-Committee received the report by the Head of Democratic Services which set out the external appointments relevant to the Economic Development Sub- Committee The Sub-Committee RESOLVED the composition and membership of the groups as set out in Appendix B to these minutes. 13. Discussion on the review of the Committee system comments from Economic Development Sub Committee to feed into the review 13.1 The Sub-Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages to the Economic Development Sub-Committee becoming a full committee and what points they would like to feed back into the review. 7

8 13.2 The Sub-Committee NOTED that the issue would be raised with the Policy and Resource committee in January Forward Plan for Economic Development Sub-Committee 14.1 The Sub-Committee received the report from the Interim Executive Director of the Community and Environmental Services Department which outlined the Forward Plan The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to agree the Forward Plan and that the visit to the offshore windfarm at Scroby Sands should be done at the cheapest cost possible. The meeting closed at 12:30pm. Chairman If you need this document in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact the Customer Services Team on or (textphone) and we will do our best to help. 8

9 Former RAF Coltishall Scottow Enterprise Park Home of Spirit of Coltishall Heritage Tim Edmunds Project Sponsor 9

10 Why Did the Council buy the Site? Market Failure Important heritage site falling further into disrepair Council stepped in to: Create Jobs, Protect Heritage & Public Access 10

11 Heritage Whole site designated a Conservation Area with various Listed and Local Listed Buildings and features 11

12 4m purchase subject to a Deed of Transfer with the Ministry of Justice Separate services so that site and HMP Bure can operate independently ( 500k) Accommodate HMP Bure community woodland and the prison s wind turbine renewable energy obligations Clawback and Sales Overage provisions based on a Zonal Land Plan 12

13 What has the Council Achieved? 13

14 Open and Inclusive Public Process helping the Council agree it s Development Vision Listening to the views of Norfolk People Many not suggestions not commercially viable for instance aviation 14

15 The existing vehicular routes and access arrangements are suitable in highway terms for the likely traffic flows that will arise as the site comes back to life However, each individual planning application will be treated on its own merit including a formal assessment of the likely transport / traffic impacts 15

16 The Council has however given commitments that it will seek to bring forward improvements It has implemented weight restrictions through Buxton-with-Lamas and The Fairstead, Scottow Discussions with our neighbouring land owners to take traffic away from Badersfield and to open up the southern end of the site to the public are on-going 16

17 Heritage Council has worked with: University of East Anglia Airfield Research Group Spirit of Coltishall Association and its volunteers to characterise and record the site in heritage terms, and to run Open Days and conducted Heritage Tours to enable local residents and members of the public more generally greater access. 17

18 Renaming the Site Devised under the guidance of the Leader of the Council and the support of the Community Liaison Reference Group 'Scottow Enterprise Park 'New Batley Green' housing Scottow Moor Solar Farm Spirit of Coltishall Heritage 18

19 Master Planning Commercial Heritage Community Demolish 19

20 66% of the declared lettable floor space is let or under offer 20

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25 100% of the open airfield in use 25

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30 Key Facts Jobs Current employment on the former base 25. This is directly projected to grow in our tenants Business Plans to 263 (this is without the Council securing any other new tenants) However 5 other tenancies in the pipeline (including significant manufacture employing 200 people), and other enquiries. Predicted job creation is in the order of 675 jobs Total number of jobs at HMP Bure (400) and predicted at Scottow Enterprise Park (675) will exceed the 603 deficit created when the base closed 30

31 Key Facts Finances (1) Council funded from one-off resources: Site purchase 4M plus 0.5M for separating services 1M for essential infrastructure ( 600k unspent to date) Up to 6.6M of further investment (part from prudential borrowing) is required to complete essential infrastructure works and bring the buildings that have a commercial future back into use Residential development could raise 4M (off setting borrowing), but is subject to the nature of the design of the development taking into account its heritage value 31

32 Proposed Phased Investment Strategy Rate of investment dependant upon market appetite and the ability of the Council to secure tenant occupation One building at a time 32

33 Key Facts Finances (2) Two Investment Options: 1. Phased Speculative Investment, or 2. Consolidated Approach (complete essential infrastructure works but defer investment until in receipt of funding from land sales) Both options will be phased investment dependant upon market appetite Income in 2015/16 is forecast to exceed operational and regeneration costs. Norfolk Infrastructure Fund is to be used to underwrite forecast revenue pressures in 2016/17 and 2017/18 33

34 Key Facts Finances (3) Up to 5M Heritage Lottery bid is being developed to upgrade hangars from existing condition suitable for storage uses to high grade manufacturing and office space Note: The Council is in discussions with a manufacturing company about a joint public / private sector bid Proposals to raise income from digging up the runway withdrawn pending the outcome of the solar farm 34

35 Any questions? 35

36 Appendix B Economic Development Sub-Committee Outside Bodies 1. Agri-Tech (Eastern) Programme Board (1) Colleen Walker This body makes decisions on the eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative Programme Board about which projects to fund from this specific Regional Growth Funded scheme. 2. BID (Norwich Business Improvement District) (1) George Nobbs (Richard Bearman sub) The Norwich BID is run for local businesses by local businesses. It aims to make a clear positive impact on the vitality of the City centre and the business within it. 3. Rev Active (1) No appointment 4. Norwich Airport Consultative Committee (1) Shelagh Gurney, Sub David Collis These meetings are a DfT requirement to enable aerodrome operators and communities in the vicinity of the airport to discuss operational and business matters affecting their interests. 5. Norwich Airport Board (Non-Executive Director) (1) George Nobbs (Sub Mike Sands). 6. Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA) (1) Martin Wilby A partnership of five local authorities, including NSEA, the two Chambers of Norfolk and Suffolk and the East of England Energy Group, which aims to promote the two counties for investment linked to the energy sector, with a primary focus on offshore renewables. 7. Norfolk Rail Group (4) Andrew Boswell Brian Long 36

37 Bev Spratt Michael Chenery To consider strategic rail policy issues and respond to such issues as they arise, and lobby and pursue rail policy objectives on a continuing basis between Norfolk Rail Policy Group meetings. 8. Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1) John Timewell Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is an independent, not-for-profit Company that aims to support its membership be more successful and to improve the Norfolk economy. 9. King s Lynn Town Centre Management Partnership (1) No appointment 10. Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) (1) George Nobbs The LEP is the public/private economic development partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk. 11. Moving Thetford Forward Board (3) Denis Crawford Terry Jermy Steve Morphew (if he so wishes, otherwise a vacancy) The aims of the Moving Thetford Forward (MTF) Partnership are to facilitate and accelerate the delivery of growth and economic development of Thetford, assist the regeneration and renaissance of Thetford for all its residents, positively engage with all those with an interest in Thetford, including the public, local businesses, landowners and public bodies and positively communicate the benefits and potential of Thetford, in order to raise its profile and encourage investment in the town. 12. Moving Thetford Forward (MTF) Programme Delivery Panel (2) Denis Crawford Terry Jermy The MTF Panel is made up of representatives from Town, Parish, District and County Councils together with a community/third sector representative New Anglia Skills Board for Norfolk and Suffolk (1 plus 1Substitute) 37

38 Bev Spratt A sub group of the LEP Board which is tasked with steering the implementation of the Greater Norwich/ Greater Ipswich City Deals and the Strategic Economic Plan. Membership consists of representatives of the Further Education sector and training providers with employers. Both Norfolk and Suffolk County councils are represented and can nominate a substitute. 14. Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership Company (Gt. Yarmouth) Ltd (1) Colleen Walker The Partnership meets and discusses all relevant issues concerning the Town Centre. 15. Heritage Economic & Regeneration Trust (1) No appointment 16. Hethel Innovation Ltd (2) Bev Spratt John Timewell Runs Hethel Engineering Centre and provides innovation-led business support to businesses in Norfolk/East of England. 17. Great Yarmouth Economic Forum (1) No appointment. 18. Great Yarmouth Port Authority (1) Patrick Hacon (to May 2016) The Great Yarmouth Port Authority is the parent body of the Outer Harbour. It is a Trust Port deriving its income from Pilotage Charges on commercial shipping entering the port. 19. Eastport Community and Marine Liaison Committee (1) Colleen Walker To exchange information, ideas and proposals for discussion between the constituent interest groups and the Port s CEO and Harbour Master, thus improving co-ordination and understanding between the different port users and interest groups within Great Yarmouth with relevance to the operations of the Port. 38

39 Member representative recommends re-appointment 20. Green Britain Centre, Swaffham (1) No appointment. 21. Great Yarmouth Development Company - Area Board (1) Colleen Walker The Norfolk Development Company was established to promote economic development on behalf of the local authorities of Norfolk, with an initial emphasis on physical regeneration and development. The company provides a structure for joint ventures which enables new projects to be agreed and implemented more quickly. Individual companies can be established the first to do so was the Great Yarmouth Development Company, a partnership between the County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. The agreement states the representative should be the lead member for Economic Development The current Member representative and the Company recommend reappointment. 22. EU Projects France (Channel) - England Cross Border Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) (1) Bert Bremner (Tony White Sub) Two Seas Cross-Border Programme Monitoring Committee (1) Mike Sands (Tony White Sub) The role of the committees is to set the policy framework and take strategic decisions in relation to these funding programmes. As we develop the next set of programmes (covering the period ) the PMCs will be consulted on the future programme priorities and structures and the County Council has an important role in shaping these. 23. East of England Energy Group (EEEGr) (1) No appointment 24. Local Transport Body (LEP sub Group) (1) Stan Hebborn 39

40 25. Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (1) Ian Mackie The objectives of the Association are to promote, through the Royal Norfolk Show and other events, the image, understanding and prosperity of agriculture and the countryside. 26. The Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex China Partnership (1) George Nobbs Colleen Walker (sub) (It was agreed to clarify the appointment process for this substitute post and if appropriate report back to the Sub Committee) The Partnership consists of the three leaders of the authorities, who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Partnership with Jiangsu Province. They meet quarterly to oversee the progress of the Partnership. 40

41 Economic Development Sub Committee Item No 7 Report title: Norfolk Rail Group Date of meeting: 19 January 2015 Responsible Chief Tom McCabe Officer: Strategic impact This Committee makes appointments to the Norfolk Rail Group, which acts as a special interest group to support the strategic case for improvements to rail for the benefit of the county. Infrastructure is one of the Council s strategic priorities. Executive summary The Committee made appointments to the Norfolk Rail Group in November The Terms of Reference of this Group have been reviewed in the light of the change of Governance. They currently make reference to the Cabinet system, so need to be amended to reflect the move to a Committee system. Recommendation That Members review and agree the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Norfolk Rail Group, as set out in Appendix A. 1. Proposal 1.1 The terms of reference of the Norfolk Rail Group need to be amended to reflect the new governance of the County Council. In particular, they refer to a County Cabinet Member having membership of and chairing the Group. Reference is also made to reporting lines into Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Panels. The Norfolk Rail Group is appointed by this Sub Committee in the light of the importance of rail to the economy of Norfolk, so a report is brought to this Sub Committee to request it to amend the terms of reference accordingly. Member appointments to this Group were made by members in November Set out the appendix to this report are minor suggested track changes amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Norfolk Rail Group for Member s consideration. 2. Financial Implications There are no direct financial implications arising from this report. 3. Issues, risks and innovation 41

42 3.1 There are no other relevant implications to be considered by members. Officer Contact If you have any questions about matters contained or want to see copies of any assessments, eg equality impact assessment, please get in touch with: Officer Name: Tel No: address: Chris Walton If you need this Agenda in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact or (textphone) and we will do our best to help. 42

43 Appendix A Norfolk Rail Group Terms of Reference The name of the group shall be the Norfolk Rail Group. It shall act as a special interest group to support the strategic case for improvements to rail for the benefit of the county. The Group shall achieve its objective by: Supporting Norfolk County Council, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP Developing clear evidence-based advice and business cases to support the strategic case or as requested by Norfolk County Council or LEPs Co-ordinating support of local interests to assist in providing evidence or other help to support advocacy Forming strategic alliances along rail corridors, including with other LEPs, local authorities, the rail industry, communities and other advocacy groups. Meetings will not be advertised as a public meeting or as a meeting of Norfolk County Council. Individuals or representatives of outside organisations will be permitted to attend meetings and participate in discussions at the discretion of the chairperson. Membership of the Group shall comprise: Cabinet Member for Planning & Transportation The Chairman of the Economic Development Sub Committee (who shall also act as Chairman) Three additional elected Members nominated by Norfolk County Council One elected Member nominated by each District Council within Norfolk One elected Member nominated by Waveney District Council One elected Member nominated by East Cambridgeshire District Council One elected Member nominated by the Broads Authority One elected Member from the board of Community Rail Norfolk One Officer from each local authority to support the elected Members. Each elected Member of the Group shall be entitled to one vote. The chairperson will be the Norfolk County Council Member with responsibility for transport The vice-chairperson shall be elected by the Rail Group The Chairperson of the Group shall have a casting vote Nominated substitutes may attend and elected Member substitutes may vote. Non-voting participants from the following organisations are invited to attend each meeting: Network Rail 43

44 Train operating companies running the Greater Anglia franchise, the King s Lynn to London King s cross route and the Liverpool to Norwich route A representative from each of the Local Enterprise Partnerships in Norfolk (New Anglia, and Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough) A representative from an organisation representing people with disabilities Rail interest groups including Passenger Focus, Railfuture, Fen Line Users Association, Norwich to Peterborough Rail Users' Group. Representatives from other organisations and sectors (including MPs, private rail operators, freight interests and other local authorities) will be invited to participate in discussions where relevant items are included on the agenda. A report from the Norfolk Rail Group will be taken to the relevant Norfolk County Council Overview and Scrutiny Panel Committee or Sub Committee for consideration or decision if required. or to Cabinet if a decision is required. The Norfolk Rail Group will normally meet at least twice each year (spring and autumn). Meetings will normally be held at County Hall. Each organisation represented at the meetings will be expected to pay all expenses incurred by their representatives. 44

45 Report title: Economic Development Sub- Committee Date of meeting: 19 January 2015 Responsible Chief Officer: Scottow Enterprise Park Working Group Interim Executive Director, Communities & Environmental Services Item No. 8 Strategic impact The strategic impact of the former RAF Coltishall RAF airbase (which the Sub-Committee agreed to rename Scottow Enterprise Park at their meeting in November 2014) is to create jobs, increase the sustainability of the settlement of Badersfield and contribute more widely to the Norfolk economy, including making a financial return to the Council on its investment in the site. Executive summary Members wish to establish a Member Working Group for Scottow Enterprise Park to replace the current Member Steering Group Steering Groups are no longer part of the Council s governance framework, since the move away from the Cabinet system. This report outlines the proposal for the new Group and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of Member Working Groups generally, in the Committee governance framework. Member Working Groups should be either task and finish or advisory Groups and it is proposed that the Scottow Group is an advisory one, whose role is to: Provide overall direction for the project Consider advice and comments from the Community Liaison Reference Group Make recommendations on master planning and business cases for site uses to the Economic Development Sub-Committee (and Environment, Development and Transport Committee or Policy and Resources Committee, where appropriate) Monitor progress against the Scottow Enterprise Park business plan, to ensure key milestones are achieved. Recommendations: That the Sub-Committee agrees: i) To establish a Member Working Group for Scottow Enterprise Park, to replace the current Member Steering Group ii) iii) That this should be an advisory, rather than task and finish, Group The terms of reference for the Member Working Group, including - membership - frequency of meetings 45

46 1. Proposal 1.1. To establish a Member Working Group, to provide oversight and steer the development of Scottow Enterprise Park Draft terms of reference for the Group are attached at Appendix B. Membership and frequency of meetings to be decided by the Sub-Committee. In deciding on membership, the Sub-Committee may wish to consider: The involvement of local members The involvement of members not on the Economic Development Sub- Committee, who could add value The size of the Group. Other working groups vary in size, however it is felt that 5-7 is the ideal size. That the Leader of the Council was previously an ex officio member of the Member Steering Group, and, as he is an ex officio member of the Economic Development Sub-Committee, you may wish the Leader to continue as ex officio member of the new Working Group. 2. Evidence 2.1. The Head of Law & Monitoring Officer provided guidance to Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and Group Leaders in July 2014, following the move to a Committee system in May This can be found in Appendix B. Member Working Groups (MWGs) replace Member Steering Groups (MSG), which are no longer part of the Council s working practices in the committee system. A key point to note is that MWGs cannot take decisions. Decision-making is confined to Council, Committees and Sub-Committees. A MWG can make recommendations to the Committee or Sub-Committee that sets it up. However, Committees and Sub-Committees are not obliged to accept the recommendations of a MWG A MSG was established under the previous Cabinet arrangements, to provide oversight and strategic steer to the Coltishall project. Its membership was as follows: Councillors Cliff Jordan, Cabinet Member for Resources Anne Steward, Cabinet Member for Economic Development Officers Mike Jackson, Director of Environment, Transport & Development Mike Britch, Managing Director, NPS Fiona McDiarmid, Assistant Director, Economic Development & Strategy Mark Langlands, Media and Public Affairs Manager Tim Edmunds, Highways Network Manager and RAF Coltishall Project Sponsor 2.3. Since the transition to the Committee system, an interim oversight arrangement 46

47 has been in place, comprising: Councillors Chair - George Nobbs, Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee David Harrison, Local Member and Deputy Leader of the Council Bev Spratt - Chairman of Economic Development Sub-Committee (EDSC) John Timewell - Local Member and member of EDSC Officers Tom McCabe - Interim Executive Director of Communities & Environmental Services Fiona McDiarmid, Assistant Director, Economic Development & Strategy Tim Edmunds, Scottow Enterprise Park Development Manager 3. Financial Implications 3.1. None as a result of this paper. As mentioned previously the MWG is not a decision-making body, so can only make recommendations to the Economic Development Sub-Committee. 4. Issues, risks and innovation 4.1. Risk management on the project is dealt with by the Project Team, with appropriate risk registers maintained and regularly reviewed. 5. Background 5.1. The following reports have already been discussed, and decisions taken by members, in relation to the Coltishall site: 24 November 2014 EDT Committee Former RAF Coltishall Investment Options 12 May 2014 Cabinet Solar Farm Proposal 11 June 2012 Cabinet Norfolk Infrastructure Fund Site Acquisition 3 December 2012 Cabinet Update and draft proposals for the future use of RAF Coltishall 16 January 2013 ETD Overview and Scrutiny Panel Update and draft proposals for the future use of RAF Coltishall Officer Contact If you have any questions about matters contained in this paper or want to see copies of any assessments, eg equality impact assessment, please get in touch with: Officer name : Fiona McDiarmid Tel No. : address : fiona.mcdiarmid.@norfolk.gov.uk If you need this report in large print, audio, braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact or (textphone) and we will do our best to help. 47

48 Appendix A: Guidance on Council Working Groups to Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and Group Leaders, July 2014, by the Head of nplaw Background Prior to the Council changing from a Cabinet to a Committee system of governance in May 2014, the Council had a number of Working Groups, some time and task-limited, others more advisory in their nature, across the Authority. With the introduction of Committees it will now be for those Committees to establish new Working Groups where it thinks it appropriate to do so and set their terms of reference. Working Groups can serve a very useful purpose in the Council s decision-making process. They permit a small group of Members to develop a more in-depth knowledge in a particular subject area and to focus on that subject area in a way that Committees have neither time nor space in the decision-making timetable to do. Under a Committee system of governance there are restrictions on the operation of Working Groups, which are set out below: Features of Working Groups Working Groups cannot take decisions. Decision-making is confined to Council, Committees and Sub-Committees A Working Group can make recommendations to the Committee or Sub-Committee that sets it up A Working Group need not be politically balanced. Membership will be determined by the Committee or Sub-Committee that sets it up and can draw in Members from other Committees if required Whilst Working Groups are usually comprised of Members, Officers may be invited to join from time to time. As with reports to Committees (Part 8.6 if the Constitution), reports to Working Groups will be produced by Officers A Working Group may be a task and finish group with a fixed timescale and specific objectives to achieve or may be an advisory group on a particular topic Terms of reference for the Working Group, including whether it should be a task and finish group with a fixed timescale or more of an advisory group, will be established by the Committee or Sub-Committee that sets it up. Working Groups will not meet in public. They are informal meetings for the purpose of deliberation on the specific matters within their terms of reference and relevant officers will be in attendance to present reports and provide information and advice on the substantive matters under discussion Working Groups are not clerked and formal minutes are not kept. This promotes free and frank discussion within the Group and does not create an additional call on resources There will be no substitutes on Working Groups. The meetings are informal, are not decision-making and will benefit most from having regular input from those who have particular knowledge of the Working Group s remit Committees and Sub-Committees are not obliged to accept the recommendations of a Working Group The Committee or Sub-Committee that establishes a Working Group also has the power to dissolve it The Working Group will not issue press statements on behalf of the Council nor speak to the media about its work except at the request of the Committee or Sub-Committee that set it up. 48

49 Appendix B: Terms of Reference for the Scottow Enterprise Park Member Working Group 1.0 Background 1.1 The County Council s core role includes Speaking up for Norfolk and Economic Infrastructure. The County Council has also agreed an Economic Growth Strategy, with key themes including improved infrastructure, business support and skills. 1.2 To support the delivery of its core role and Economic Growth Strategy, the County Council s Cabinet, agreed to purchase the RAF Coltishall site, now known as Scottow Enterprise Park. The site represents a major economic asset with a variety of possible uses, and with significant potential to benefit the local and wider economy of Norfolk. 1.3 There are a wide range of potential uses for the site, from airfield and business related-use, to leisure and heritage, taking into account Local Plans and national guidance. In developing a way forward, the County Council will seek to deliver maximum benefit to Norfolk people. 2.0 Role of the Member Working Group 2.1 The Member Working Group replaces the current Member Steering Group, which is no longer part of the Council s governance framework, since the move to the Committee system. 2.2 The role of the Group, which will comprise officers and members, is to: Provide overall direction for the project Consider advice and comments from the Community Liaison Reference Group Make recommendations on master planning and business cases for site uses to the Economic Development Sub-Committee (and Community & Environmental Services Committee, where appropriate) Monitor progress against the Scottow Enterprise Park business plan, to ensure key milestones are achieved. 3.0 Membership of the Group 3.1 Councillors Economic Development Sub-Committee to agree councillors to sit on the Group. Officers Tom McCabe - Interim Executive Director of Communities & Environmental Services Fiona McDiarmid Assistant Director, Economic Development & Strategy Tim Edmunds - Scottow Enterprise Park Development Manager The Group will also be supported by relevant officers from the Scottow Enterprise Park Team. There will be no substitutes. Working Group meetings are informal and will benefit most from having regular input from those who have particular knowledge of the Group s remit 49

50 4.0 Meetings and papers 4.1 The Group will meet every (frequency to be agreed by the Economic Development Sub-Committee), with additional meetings organised if necessary. 4.2 In accordance with Council policy, Working Groups are not clerked and formal minutes are not kept. This promotes free and frank discussion within the Group and does not create an additional call on resources 5.0 Decision making 5.1 The Working Group cannot make decisions its role is to advise the Economic Development Sub-Committee and the Scottow Enterprise Park Board. 5.2 Significant decisions will be made by via Norfolk County Council s Committee process. Proposals will also be subject to the usual statutory planning process, where relevant. 50

51 Report title: Economic Development Sub- Committee Item No. 9 Date of meeting: 19 January 2014 Responsible Chief Officer: Strategic impact Finance and Performance Monitoring report Tom McCabe Interim Executive Director Community and Environmental Services On 17 February 2014, the County Council agreed a net revenue budget of m, with the net revenue budget for Economic Development and Strategy of 1.997m. At the end of each month, officers prepare financial forecasts for each service showing forecast income and expenditure and the planned use of earmarked reserves. Executive summary This report provides the Sub Committee with the updated Financial Position to the end of November. It provides the information on key areas of activity and details of any variances from the original budget, emerging issues, impacts on performance and the planned use of reserves. Members are recommended to note the following: Revenue expenditure is still forecast to be delivered to a balanced budget. 1. Proposal 1.1. Members have a key role in overseeing the financial position of Economic Development & Strategy (EDS) services, including reviewing the revenue and reserves held by the service. Although budgets are set and monitored on an annual basis it is important that the ongoing position is understood and the previous year s position, current and future plans and performance are considered. 2. Evidence The following section gives an overview of the performance of the EDS service, the three main strands of which are infrastructure, enterprise & business support and skills. In addition, the past quarter has seen the EDS team working closely with New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership on the 2016/17 Growth Deal for Norfolk and Suffolk. The Norfolk Growth Group (a sub-group of the district and County Council chief executives), which EDS coordinates, managed the development of a pipeline of project proposals for inclusion in the deal, all of which were submitted, or earmarked for other funding sources. We are now waiting to hear the outcome of our submission. However, we now know there will not be as much funding forthcoming as anticipated. In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced 1bn for Growth Deals, but this is spread over the years 16/17 to 20/21 (we had been bidding just for 2016/17), with the majority of funding being in the last two years. The breakdown in the Autumn 51

52 Statement document implies that there is around 3.5-4m for each LEP, for each of the first three years of this profile, increasing slightly to around 6m each for the last two Infrastructure There have been some significant recent successes, as well as ongoing work that is crucial to Norfolk s ongoing sustainable economic growth: A47 Building on the A47 Prospectus the team devised, and the route based strategy secured from Government for the road, the following A47 schemes were announced as part of the Autumn Statement 2014 for inclusion in the trunk road programme : North Tuddenham to Easton. Dualling to provide continuous dual carriageway between Norwich and Dereham. Combined with the Blofield to North Burlingham scheme, this will provide full dualling between Dereham and Acle. Blofield to North Burlingham. Dualling to complete a gap in the dual carriageway between Norwich and Acle. A47/A12 Great Yarmouth Junction Improvements. Junction improvements, including reconstruction of the Vauxhall roundabout. Acle Straight Safety Measures. Safety improvements at key hotspots and joint working with Natural England to establish environmental impacts and mitigation measures for the medium and long term which could include installation of safety barriers, junction improvements and road widening or capacity improvements. A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction Improvement. Improvement of the interchange to give improved access to Norwich. Guyhirn Junction Improvement. Creation of a new larger junction linking the A47 with the A141 Wansford to Sutton Dualling. Dualling the A47 between the A1 and Peterborough. This is good news for Norfolk as it will see vital improvements to the A47 to enable it to better fulfil its vital strategic role. EDT Committee will be considering a report on the A47 at their January meeting, with a focus on how to bring these projects forward at the earliest date, and how to advance the business case to secure dualling of the remaining sections A11 The last remaining stretch of single carriageway between Thetford and Mildenhall has recently been upgraded to a dual carriageway and was formally opened by the Transport Secretary, on 12 December. This means that Norwich is finally connected to the motorway network by continuous dual carriageway, and follows concerted lobbying by the county council and other partners. In addition to securing a slot at the opening ceremony for the Leader to outline what the dualling completion means to the economy of Norfolk, the Economic Development and Communications teams worked with the Eastern Daily Press and partners to produce a 28 page supplement to commemorate the event. This charted the 40 year campaign of lobbying to dual the road, as well as giving up to date accounts from key companies about the positive impact the dualling will have on their business. 52

53 2.2. Enterprise and Business Support Enterprise Norfolk Enterprise Norfolk is a free service, helping anyone with an idea for a business to make it a reality. Norfolk County Council led the project, with an investment of 400,000 over two years, finishing in December 2014, and working with Norfolk s district, borough and city council partners, who also provided match funding. The programme had a target of 150 starts per year for two years; in year 1 (Jan - Dec 2013) 288 starts were created. A final report is in preparation for the programme to the end of December 2014 and will be included in the next report. Going forward, this type of business start-up activity will be supported in both Norfolk and Suffolk by the New Anglia Growth Hub ( which gained funding for the activity from New Anglia s first Growth Deal settlement. The Hub provides a web portal with business start-up advice, as well as telephone and face-to-face support from a network of Business Growth Advisers UKTI Inward Investment Enquiries The team deals with inbound inward investment enquiries from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), under a contract with New Anglia. Suffolk County Council delivers a similar service for Suffolk New Leads this period: An EU based food processing company looking at options to develop a new factory. Two good options presented for sites in Norfolk, coupled with a detailed analysis of the labour market and an appraisal of how the Institute of Food Research could support the company. Two offshore oil and gas companies (one Norwegian and one US) seeking space in Gt Yarmouth. Various options put forward, plus a detailed description of the local skills base and supply chain. A company seeking a site to establish a biomass facility. A number of suggested locations put forward. A Canadian health and life science company. Options around the Norwich Research Park assembled in collaboration with the NRP Office. Significant support provided to 4 locally based companies o A furniture manufacturer issues with broadband, grant application and business networking. o Chemical manufacturer promotion, networking and awareness raising o Offshore engineering company introductions to key customers. o Advanced engineering company assistance with finding new site for expansion. Existing Leads progressed: A composites company in the automotive sector. Assisted with grant. Application to Government earlier in the year, which was successful. Continued support for the offshore wind company mentioned in the previous report. Support provided for 5 Agri-tech applications across Norfolk and a further 5 in Suffolk, in Norfolk the applications are as follows: o Dofygate, a 47,900 grant, creating 5 jobs and developing a solar powered automatic farm gate, that saves time for farm operations and 53

54 2.2.3 China reduces the risk for livestock and workers o Hargreaves Plants, a 47,000 R&D grant to investigate new commercial markets for rhubarb and explore the applications of differing varieties o Fountain foods, a 170,282 grant, creating 14 jobs and developing a instant variety of Caluiflower rice, opening a high value market for a typically low value crop. o Nelson County, a 19,928 R&D grant to explore alternative methods to reduce sprouting in potatoes to cater to the increased annual market demand. o J A Collison, a 118,358 R&D grant, creating 4 jobs to develop and automated system for their flower processing and packaging operations. Essex County Council and Jiangsu Province are this year celebrating 25 years of partnership working. Suffolk and Norfolk County Councils joined the partnership in 2011 to see if there could be benefits to be derived in terms of increasing investment, encouraging trade links, tourism, education and cultural exchange with Jiangsu Province. We particularly focussed around the energy, advanced engineering and life sciences sectors. Essex County Council offers Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils the opportunity to utilise Essex County Council s relationships with the Jiangsu Provincial People s Government and to use the Essex office in Nanjing to identify and target potential inward investors in a targeted and cost effective way. China Partnership work is progressing very well. The contract was renewed in December 2014, continuing the partnership for a 4 th year: During October, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils set up a new Joint Committee with the Governor of Jiangsu, to cement and strengthen links between Jiangsu and the East of England. The Joint Committee now means Norfolk as is an equal partner in the relationship. Achievements over the past 3 years include: 26 qualified leads from Chinese businesses brought to Norfolk: 2 Outbound trade missions to China: over 15 visits from business delegations to the East of England and 1 tour from a delegation of Chinese Tourism operators, working with Visit East Anglia. The partnership has been working with a Chinese medical company, who manufacture an innovative piece of technology - a pill with a camera inside it, which can be swallowed in order to examine the gut. This removes the need for more invasive examinations, such as colonoscopy. As the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) specialises in gastroenterology, the Chinese medical company identified the hospital as a good location for medical trials, in order to commercialise this pill. A trial took place in November and proved very successful. The company is now considering setting up an office within the Norwich Research Park and will continue collaborative research studies and trials with NNUH. This success came about as a result of the Life Sciences delegation to China in November 2013 the first time the Chinese company learnt about the science and specialist research at the NNUH and Norwich Research Park Skills Activity to support the Norfolk and LEP Skills Agenda The delivery of the skills agenda is an active element of the work taking place in EDS. This work is largely managed on a cross departmental basis between 54

55 Economic Development and Children s Services, bringing together a range of experience with a focus on developing the future workforce for Norfolk s economy. The primary focus in EDS is around ensuring that Norfolk s young people have the appropriate skills and qualifications to compete for employment opportunities in our local economy. One example of this work relates to the EU funding for skills in our area. The Skills Team works to ensure that Norfolk s priorities are represented when developing the pipeline of projects in New Anglia for the ESF (European Social Fund) programme. This will be delivered in this area until This work will fund a range of projects for local young people, bringing them closer to the labour market through accessing a range of interventions. These interventions will be wideranging and will include working with local businesses, promoting apprenticeships, tackling persistent NEET levels in the county and skills attainment at all levels. These programmes will run in both Norfolk and Suffolk and colleagues in both counties are contributing to this work. Another significant area of work has been around supporting our colleges and training providers to access capital funding coming through the New Anglia LEP. The 2015/16 financial year will be the first year this funding will be available. Two of the three skills projects receiving funding are based in Norfolk and will see the College of West Anglia and Easton College accessing capital funds for new provision, closely related to economic need. The New Anglia Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) provides an emphasis for much of the skills agenda as the LEP is increasingly the mechanism through which funding for our area flows. The skills team works to both support the delivery of the SEP, as well as to see that Norfolk s priorities are integrated into this work. The other work undertaken across both departments, working on the Delivering Norfolk's Future Workforce agenda, includes: Career Guidance and Labour Market Information The Apprenticeships Norfolk Network Professional Development for Teachers and Influencers Apprenticeships Ensuring the skills needs of employers are understood; and Bringing more employers into schools 2.4. Apprenticeship Norfolk As mentioned at the last committee, work is underway to form the Apprenticeship Norfolk Network, a group of training providers, schools, intermediaries and employers who will work together to promote apprenticeships in the county that match our skills agenda. The first meeting of the Network takes place this month. 3. Financial Implications 3.1. Revenue The Net revenue budget for Economic Development & Strategy for 2014/15 is 1.997m. This figure does not include the income/expenditure for Hethel Innovation, which is now managed as a separate company, with County Council representation on the Board. Table 1, overleaf, shows the budget for the service. Table Economic Development & Strategy budget Expenditure m Salaries Overheads

56 Depreciation Projects fund Total However, this funding is supplemented by allocated reserves until 2017/18, largely the balance of the 3.5m corporate funding for Apprenticeships Norfolk. Table income and expenditure, including the use of reserves Expenditure m Salaries Overheads Depreciation (HEC buildings, plant and equipment) Project activity (supplemented by reserves see income) Apprenticeships Norfolk Enterprise Norfolk (final year) Other projects (sector development, student conventions, inward investment, corporate European activity etc) Total expenditure less Income From reserves Apprenticeships Other projects Project recharges (staff re-charged to the funding programmes they work on, ie net salaries budget is 1.12m, not 1.350m) Total income Net agreed EDS budget for 2014/ As shown above, we are currently forecasting a balanced budget. Any variances, risks or issues will be reported to Committee throughout the year Capital There are currently no approved capital schemes under the control of this subcommittee. As per the last meeting, the future plan for the development of Scottow Enterprise Park will form part of the capital programme that is due to be approved by full Council in February and the progress and detailed plan will be reported to this sub-committee in due course. 4. Issues, risks and innovation 4.1. Risk management is undertaken at a project or programme level and is robustly monitored. 5. Background 5.1. This report seeks to focus on the controllable revenue budget of the EDS service, as well as the capital budget allocated to Scottow Enterprise Park. 56

57 Officer Contact If you have any questions about matters contained in this paper or want to see copies of any assessments, eg equality impact assessment, please get in touch with: Officer name : address : Andrew Skiggs (finance) Jo Middleton (performance) Tel No. : Tel No. : andrew.skiggs@norfolk.gov.uk; jo.middleton@norfolk.gov.uk If you need this report in large print, audio, braille, alternative format or in a different language please contact or (textphone) and we will do our best to help. 57