Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

Martin Long, Business Representative, declared that his company did legal work for companies based within the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone but that none of his clients were included in the update report at this meeting.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 3 June 2020 as a true and correct record.

The Board considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 3 June 2020.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board meeting held on 3 June 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Board considered matters arising from the last meeting.

1)      The Board noted that Councillor Simon Blackburn had been replaced as Leader of Blackpool Council by Councillor Lynn Williams. The position of Vice-Chairman of the Board was now vacant due to this change. It would be considered at the 17 December 2020 meeting as Councillor Williams had not been able to attend this meeting.

2)      The Board received an update on the item related to the potential medical isotopes development at the Westinghouse site at Springfields. The Board noted that shortly after the last meeting letters in support had been sent by the Leaders of the three Councils. A decision on the site had been anticipated soon and the potential for applications to be made to Councils’ Business Loans funds in support of the application was noted.  

If the discussion during items 8 or 9  of this agenda involves the disclosure of “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Board wishes to move to confidential session, it may at any point pass the following resolution:  “That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst the agenda item(s) is/ are considered, on the ground that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act,  1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and, that in the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”.

Resolved:

That the public and press be excluded from Agenda Items 8 and 9: Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone Progress Report and Hillhouse Enterprise Zone Progress Report as this includes the likely disclosure of Exempt Information under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive an update on the Full Fibre Network and advantages for Councils who are not already members of joining the Cooperative.

The Board received a brief presentation on the development of a full fibre network by Mr Tony Doyle, Head of ICT, Blackpool Council. Shaun Fenson, Chair of the Broadband Co-op was also in attendance.

Mr Doyle explained that rather like roads, railways or electricity, fast internet connectivity represented an essential piece of infrastructure required for modern businesses. It had been clear for a while that ensuring that the area either had reasonable access or better than average would be essential in facilitating inward investment. 

Mr Doyle highlighted that Blackpool Council had been successful in bidding to the Department Of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) for a Full Fibre Wave 2 Grant under the Asset Reuse method by using an existing ducting asset in the Tramway to build a fibre optic spine along the Tramway. The effect of the award had been to create a spinal fibre network infrastructure r to connect Council assets and to service both Enterprise Zones, the new Conference Centre at the Winter Gardens as well as establish a series of Meet me chambers across the Promenade. Work on this spine was now nearly complete and already businesses were reporting on the advantages of that to their business.

Mr Doyle went on to explain the benefits of Cooperative Network Infrastructure notably to be able to work collaboratively across public and private sector organisations, make savings, improve services and maximise the opportunities for further deployment while minimising disruption (the “dig once” approach).

Mr Doyle highlighted an open invitation from Fibre Blackpool and Cooperative Network Infrastructure for both Fylde Council and Wyre Borough Councils to join the broadband coop. He then emphasised the potentially opportunities to target rural areas to bid for further funding from DCMS.

Resolved:

To recommend to both Fylde and Wyre Borough Councils to the join the cooperative and enter into further dialogue with Tony Doyle Head of ICT Services at Blackpool Council who leads on the Full Fibre initiative in Blackpool and Shaun Fensom the Chair of the cooperative.

To update the Board on the Future High Street Fund bidding process for Blackpool, Fleetwood and Kirkham.

Nick Gerrard provide the Board with an update on the Future High Street Fund bidding process for Blackpool, Fleetwood and Kirkham.

Resolved:

To note the report.

To update the Board on COVID-19 Grant support to businesses by Blackpool Council, Fylde Borough and Wyre Borough Council.

The Board considered the issue of Coronavirus and Economic Recovery. It noted the significant help provided by central and local government under various schemes to help small business and the furlough scheme.

Mr Nick Gerrard highlighted the three funds namely the Small Business Grants Fund, Retail, Hospitality, Lesiure fund and the Covid discretionary funds. Figures were outlined in the report for the amounts provided under each Council area.

Members expressed thanks to the officers involved in the administration at all three Councils and especially the speedy way that assistance and support had been provided.

Resolved:

To note the report.

To receive a progress report on Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Mr Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zones, provided the board with an update on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

The report started by outlining the programme for updating the Masterplan to reflect  substantial changes to the physical development around the eastern gateway access, sports field re-provision revised airport proposals and the change of direction for the future of the Squires Gate Industrial Estate (former Wellington Bomber Factory) this had been further detailed after the June meeting. The revised interim delivery plan would now be presented to Blackpool Council as Accountable Body in October 2020 before submission to Fylde Borough Council, the Lancashire Local Economic Partnership and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Further to the last meeting Mr Green emphasised that central to the Enterprise Zones would be a request to government extend the period in which the 5 year business rates relief would be available from expiry in March 2022 to financial year 2025/26. With full Local Enterprise Partners support officers have joined nationally with The Local Enterprise Partnership Network to put a proposal to HM Treasury.  This would be to  seek an extension of business rates relief to 2025/26 as a low cost focus and engine for post Covid-19 economic recovery and growth, and to recognise the delays in all Enterprise Zones being able to bring forward enabling infrastructure. It was reported that the submission to HM Treasury was imminent so that

it could be reflected in the Autumn spending review.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To receive a progress report on Hillhouse Enterprise Zone.

Mr Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zone presented an update on Hillhouse Enterprise Zone.

Mr Green initially highlighted work with the landowner NPL estates to encourage that organisation to bring forward proposals for an initial phase of speculative development totalling 6,100m² . The project would also require some local enabling infrastructure, including site access road, utilities and in particular an extension and repair to Hillhouse’s water ring main. An application had been in preparation for Growth Deal funding in anticipation of last minute resources becoming available.

Mr Green then spoke about the continued exploration of the opportunities of utilising Hillhouse for the generation and storage of hydrogen with meetings continuing and the hope that this project’s remit would in time expand to encompass all forms of renewable energy.

Further to Item 8 Mr Green emphasised that central to the Enterprise Zones would be a request to government extend the period in which the 5 year business rates relief would be available from expiry in March 2022 to financial year 2025/26. With full Local Enterprise Partners support officers have joined nationally with The Local Enterprise Partnership Network to put a proposal to HM Treasury.  This would be to  seek an extension of business rates relief to 2025/26 as a low cost focus and engine for post Covid-19 economic recovery and growth, and to recognise the delays in all Enterprise Zones being able to bring forward enabling infrastructure. It was reported that the submission to HM Treasury was imminent so that

it could be reflected in the Autumn spending review.

Resolved:

To note the update.

To note the date of next meeting as Thursday 17 December 2020 at 2pm.

To note the date of next meeting as Thursday 17 December at 2pm.