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SWLEP Commissioning Board Update and SEP Refresh

Meeting: 01/12/2015 - Joint Strategic Economic Committee (Item 42)

42 SWLEP Commissioning Board Update

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

A written update was presented by Directors of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), Alistair Cunningham and Paddy Bradley. It was stated that it had been agreed project highlight reports would include greater levels of detail, as well as supporting increased scrutiny of Local Growth Fund (LGF) proposals, and clearer tracking of original deadlines and any delays that occurred.

 

The Committee discussed the progression of the Strategic Economic Plan which had been reviewed during the course of 2015 with details on communication strategies and key messages had been approved, with further details on design and final revisions to be approved shortly. Details were also provided on funding that had been received from the Department for Business, Industry and Skills for a Careers Enterprise Company pilot scheme to run for 12 months to recruit business volunteers for schools and colleges to increase employer engagement with education facilities. It was confirmed the virtual school, responsible for monitoring the status of all Looked After Children, would also be covered by the pilot scheme, which had launched in Wiltshire in November and would launch in Swindon from 2 December.

 

The Committee then assessed the details of LGF projects currently underway. Increased costs of delivery had been identified in respect of the Green Bridge, New Eastern Villages project (previously Great Stall Bridge), with the feasibility of design changes to be investigated. Further New Eastern Village projects included that at the A420 Gablecross, where remodelling requirements had been clarified, with the completion date moved to June 2016.

 

In response to queries it was stated the project with the biggest funding gap was in relation to the White Hart Junction project as detailed in the report, with additional funding sources being investigated ahead of a deadline for action of February 2017.

 

Details were also sought on projects involving Junctions 16 and 17, Digital Corsham, which was now back within budget, and Chippenham Hub Station, with details as in the report.

 

Questions were raised about LGF monies which had not yet been utilised due to deferred projects, and it was stated new and viable proposals would be brought forward for consideration of any remaining funds.


At the conclusion of discussion, it was

 

Resolved:

 

To note the updates and comments of the Committee.