Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Paddy Bradley, Director of the SWLEP Secretariat.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2017.

To receive the minutes of the SWLEP Board meeting from 25 January 2017.

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2017.

To receive the Board minutes from 25 January 2017.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the relevant Standards Committee.

There were no declarations

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

There were no announcements

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Please contact the officer named on the front of the agenda for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution.

Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm on 6 April 2017 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. In order to receive a verbal response questions must be submitted no later than 5pm on 10 April 2017. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

A series of questions from Councillor Chris Caswill, Chippenham Monkton Division, Wiltshire Council, together with responses were received as detailed in the agenda supplement.

Supplementary questions were asked on SWLEP Sub-Group agenda and minutes availability, and on details regarding any Chippenham Station Hub application, with confirmation technical advisers would assess the project before any submission.

It stated that the SWLEP would confirm that the sub-group agenda and minutes would be published on the SWLEP website.  This has subsequently been confirmed (i.e. sub-group agendas and minutes will be published on the website).

It was also stated the Chippenham Station Hub Phase 1 scheme would be considered at the July meeting of the SWLEP Board rather than May, and it was intended to consult, including with area boards.

It was also confirmed in response to a supplementary that details of the list of bids sent to central government were included on the SWLEP website.

Questions were also asked by Mrs Marilyn Mackay on digital capability and plans to reach those 5% of areas not included within early phases of the superfast broadband projects. Details were provided on the initial phases, and the technical challenges to achieve 100% coverage, as well as the investment and lobbying being undertaken to push for that level of coverage.

At the meeting of the SWLEP Board on 22 March 2017 the latest version of the proposed Governance Framework was received, following consideration by the Committee in February 2017. It was stated the proposed changes had been signed off by the s.151 officers of Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council. The Board had proposed to endorse the Governance Framework, pending legal advice on queries relating to the conflicts of interest policy as detailed in the agenda.

The Committee discussed the proposals, and considered that wording on Board quorum could be clarified before endorsement, such as being a percentage of the total, fluid, membership rather than a set number. The Committee also noted the comments of the Board, and the answers that were provided.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

1)    To note that the advice of the Legal Team has been sought regarding the Conflict of Interest Policy paragraph 6 and a response is awaited.

2)    To endorse the decision of the Board, subject to their response to the comments of the Committee as detailed above.

3)    To note the Quick Guide to the Governance Framework document for use by Board Members and for posting on the SWLEP website.

The Highlight Reports as reviewed by the SWLEP Commissioning Group regarding Local Growth Fund and other projects were received.

During discussion it was stated construction has commenced at the Porton Science Park with a predicted date of completion in December 2017, consultation on a planning application relating to Corsham Mansion House had recently closed, and a design review had just concluded in respect of the Swindon Bus Exchange.

It was noted the A350 Yarnbrook project had been re-baselined and is now rated Green with a new project plan and delivery for 2021. Details were also provided on the Ultra-Fast Broadband project, the Salisbury Plain Heritage Centre and other projects.

Resolved:

To note the updates to SWLEP projects.

A report was provided on progress updates relating to SWLEP Subgroups, which had been preparing action plans. Presently, estimated expenditure exceeded the agreed budget by £0.050m, so further negotiation was ongoing to recoup the predicted overspend.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

To note the reports.

A report was received on the European Structural and Investment Funds Programme 2014-2020. On 8 February 2017 the SWLEP held its Rural

Business Grants event at Devizes Corn Exchange to promote the £3.4m programme funding currently available in grants for rural business projects, and was attended by over 140 businesses.

With the declaration of Article 50 and the formal process for leaving the European Union underway, it was stated formal guidance had been issued on how to proceed with projects.

The report was discussed, with some noting that several similar funding streams were targeting similar areas, and attention was needed to ensure there was no duplication or waste, though it was noted the process was under control of the Department of Communities and Local Government, not local authorities or LEPs.

At the end of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

To note the report.

To consider items to be received at future meetings.

It was noted the forward plan would include regular updates on Local Growth Fund and European Projects, as well as final approval of the Governance Framework.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 28 June 2017.

To note the date of the next meeting as 28 June 2017.