Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting, the Metro Mayor referred to the terrorist attacks in New Zealand and that Monday 15 April would also mark 30 years since the Hillsborough disaster.

The Combined Authority stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

           Apologies were received from Mr A Hamid MBE, Councillor I Maher, Councillor I Moran (Associate Member), Councillor K Groucutt (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Digital and Innovation), Councillor T Hardy (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Planning), Councillor N Nicholas (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality), Councillor S Powell (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism & Visitor Economy), Councillor G Wood (Deputy Portfolio Holder: Energy and Renewables), Professor Dame Janet Beer (Mayoral Advisor: Higher Education), Gideon Ben-Tovim OBE (Mayoral Advisor: Natural Environment), Barbara Spicer (Mayoral Advisor: Social Housing Growth), Sara Wilde-McKeown (Mayoral Advisor: Visitor Economy) and Lynn Collins (Chair of FASJAB).

           It was reported that no Declarations of Interest had been received.

           RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To receive updates from the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram referred to Monday 15 April 2019 being the 30years since the Hillsborough disaster. He reiterated that the Combined Authority, the Mayor and Leaders from across the City Region maintained their support for the families of the beavered and the survivors.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reflected on how climate change was one of the biggest threats facing society and required serious and bold action. He recognised that there was always more to achieve in respect of climate change, however, he highlighted that the City Region had an excellent track record on delivering on green issues. In particular, highlighting how, the City Region’s low carbon economy was one of the biggest success stories and was worth £2billion a year to the city region and employed 22,000 people.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised that he had published an open letter which set out the comprehensive action being taken as a Combined Authority, which included setting an ambition to be Zero Carbon by 2040, a £10m Green Investment Fund would be launched to investigate how to harness the tidal power of the Mersey in which to create green electricity.

           The Metro Mayor explained how the Combined Authority were working to tackle air quality issues by developing an integrated public transport system, investing £460m in a new publicly owned train fleet, a 600km walking and cycling network and trailing zero emission hydrogen buses. He emphasised that how concerted action was required from central government to tackle the environmental challenges, including greater investment in low carbon energy generation, investment in public transport in the North and scrappage schemes for older, more polluting cars.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised Members that the LCR Combined Authority had been successful in its bid for £7.5million to improve five train stations across the City Region, through the national Access for All scheme. He informed the LCR Combined Authority that a report would be brought to a future meeting seeking approval to match fund the bid from the Strategic Investment Fund.

           He further advised that bids to fit lifts at Birkenhead Park, Broadgreen, Hillside, Hunts Cross and St Michaels train stations had been successful and a new lift for the Northern line platform at Liverpool Central station had also been confirmed. He reflected on how this investment was an important step in making the rail network across the City Region the most accessible in the country.

           The Metro Mayor explained how the public transport network was a lifeline for many people and yet too often those with disabilities were excluded from accessing it due to outdated infrastructure. He advised that modifying the train stations in the city region to improve accessibility would have a huge impact on the lives of passengers who were wheelchair uses, had reduced mobility of were travelling with prams or buggies.

           He reported on how the funding demonstrated built on the Combined Authority’s record of fighting for an accessible network, which included investing £460m in new and accessible trains and platform upgrade  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

To consider the report of the Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment, Apprenticeships and Skills.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment, Apprenticeships and Skills which provided an update on the progress relating to the devolution of the Adult Education Budget to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority from 1 August 2019 for the academic year 2019/20 onwards.

           Sue Jarvis, Project Director – Adult Education Budget Transition, informed Members that from the 1 August 2019 the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority would take responsibility for the devolved Adult Education Budget of £51,380.231 for the academic year 2019/20.

           Members were advised that the funding allocation would be distributed to those Further Education Colleges, Local Authorities and Independent Training providers who delivered adult community learning. The devolution of the Adult Education Budget enabled the Combined Authority to tailor the delivery to the need of its residents. It also provided an opportunity for flexibility and innovation which included increasing the threshold salary for learners to the Real Living Wage. Furthermore, the testing of outcome payments linked to work experience and job outcomes from sector based work academics during 2019-20 would be undertaken to stimulate a market response.

           Members were further informed that through the devolution of the Adult Education Budget, three test and learn areas would be piloted in 2019/20, specifically to improve the life chances of residents. The findings from these pilots would also be used to inform future delivery for English for speakers of other languages (11 pilots), digital skills (10 pilots) and English and maths (10 pilots).

           In conclusion, Members were informed that the Combined Authority had committed funding to avoid any unintended consequences which may arise as a result of the devolution of the Adult Education Budget. Furthermore, the proposed approach to the distribution of the funding would ensure that learning provision would remain fit for purpose and promoting a proactive approach to changing behaviours.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised Members that the wording in relation to recommendation E be amended, so that after the word appendix two, ‘subject to due diligence. Should due diligence render any bid unsuitable funding will be offered to the next ranked highest bidder,’ be inserted. Members were in agreement to this amendment being incorporated into recommendation E.

           Councillor L Robertson-Collins, Deputy Portfolio Holder: Education, Employment, Apprenticeships and Skills, noted that the Adult Education Budget allocation was £51.3m for 2019/20, and sought clarity on whether the City Region was getting the level of Adult Education funding it needed?

           Sue Jarvis, advised Members that the allocation was slightly below the £52million which had been anticipated and in response to this a letter had been sent to the Secretary of State to welcome any new funding which may become available. Members were further advised that the funding was based on a national formula calculation which was based on the number of residents who accessed adult learning during 2017/18. The Combined Authority was working with the Department for Education to make the case that additional funds should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment, the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Digital and Innovation and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment, Apprenticeships and Skills.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment, the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Digital and Innovation and the Portfolio holder for Education, Employment, Apprenticeships and Skills which presented an updated Skills Capital Prospectus for circa £18million investment. The prospectus looked to support capital investment to post 16 skills provision and proposed five investment strands on how this could be achieved.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram drew Members attention to the report and referred to how it referenced the Local Grant Fund (LGF) which had been awarded to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) but agreed that it would be administered and invested by the Combined Authority through the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF).

           He emphasised that the LEP remained accountable to Government for their use and that both the LEP and the Combined Authority work closely together to ensure this responsibility is met. Furthermore, the LEP Board maintained the strategic oversight over the funds awarded to it and was able to challenge decisions relating to their use either through the LEP Board or at Combined Authority meetings.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained that on occasion, the sequencing of meetings and the need to progress investment opportunities, in line with government expectations, which meant that the LEP Board would be asked to ratify the investment proposal after it had been considered here and this was one of those occasions, however, he stressed, that this did not dilute or obfuscate the role of the LEP who would consider this at their next meeting on 16 May 2019.

           In conclusion, the Metro Mayor reported that the timescales outlined in the report did not present any risk to making calls for projects and having the deadline open for a sufficiently long period, even if changes were required and stressed that the Combined Authority and the LEP would operate in a transparent manner.          

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the updated Skills Capital Prospectus (set out in Appendix One) be approved;

(ii)            the Skills Capital Investment strands and indicative allocations proposed (see Section 4) be agreed; and

(iii)           the timescale for investment (see Section 5) be noted. 

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Chief Executive which explained how the Combined Authority had recently been presented with  new delivery and funding opportunities which were not known at the time of the budget setting process. Metro Mayor S Rotheram advised Members that this report proposed an approach to provide the appropriate resource to enable the new delivery and funding opportunities to be achieved.

           Frank Rogers, Chief Executive, informed the Combined Authority that new funding streams had become available which were not known at the time of the budget setting process in February 2019. He advised Members that additional new investment would be available from Homes England, Access for All, the Local Industrial Strategy and Stronger Places funding and the appropriate capacity resources would be required to ensure that the Combined Authority could successful bid and secure the funding. In addition to this, Members were advised that the Local Growth Fund (LGF) also required new commitment to maintain the recent upturn in performance.

           Frank Rogers, explained how increased capacity was required in policy commissioning, project development, management and investment to ensure the City Region could maximise these and future funding opportunities.  Members were advised that to support this increased capacity it was proposed that £2.5 million of the £6.4million Strategic Investment Funding pre-development fund be allocated towards increasing capacity. Furthermore, that up to 100% of the £2.5million available from the Single Transport Budget be utilised to develop SIF transport programmes.

           In conclusion, Frank Rogers, advised the LCR Combined Authority that there would be no impact on the precept and stressed that the biggest corporate risk facing the Combined Authority was not delivering on its priorities.

           Mayor J Anderson OBE, recognised how crucial it was to implement the proposals contained in the report. He emphasised the importance of residents understanding the role the Combined Authority played in the region and this would be supported by schemes being translated into reality. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of ensuring that quality personnel were recruited to deliver the £5billion investment and suggested that capacity should have been strengthened earlier and requested that the LCR Combined Authority Chief Executive progress this as quickly as possible.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram referred to the significant reductions in budget the constituent Local Authorities had received from Central Government and how this had severely reduced their staffing levels and capacity to bid into the Strategic Investment Fund.

           Councillor D Long, supported the approach outlined in the report. He stressed the importance of having the appropriate capacity with Officers who had the required level of experience to ensure that high quality and successful bids could be submitted and increase the Combined Authority’s ability to bid into other national funding pots.

           In conclusion, Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained how the increased capacity could support bids to the governments Shared Prosperity Fund.  

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the opportunities arising and need for the Liverpool City Region to prepare for their associated resource requirement be noted;

(ii)            authority be delegated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.

To consider the report of the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Portfolio Holder for Policy Resources, Strategy and Delivery.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report from the Metro Mayor S Rotheram, Portfolio Holder for Policy Resources, Strategy and Delivery which set out a proposal for the alignment of the Combined Authority (“CA”) with the Liverpool City Region (“LCR”) Local Enterprise Partnership (“LEP”) and, by consequence the Combined Authority’s response to a 2018 ministerial review of Local Enterprise Partnerships.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the CA-LEP proposal for alignment be approved;

(ii)            the draft LEP/CA Assurance Framework as appended to the report (Appendix 1), which included provision for:

a.     the LEP Board to assume the legal personality of the CA;

b.     the establishment of a growth delivery group structure with a focus on economic sectors and programmes;

c.     the reduction in public sector representation on the LEP Board.

(iii)           authority be delegated to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to:

d.   complete the diligence required;

e.   propose necessary amendments to the CA’s constitution for subsequent approval by the CA.

(iv)          authority be delegated to the Liverpool City Region’s Metro Mayor and Chief Executive to nominate CA directors to the proposed holding and group delivery companies, noting that the holding company shall have political representation and the group delivery company shall have officer.

To consider the report of the Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning which sought adoption of the working party definition of Islamophobia as promoted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group.

           In recognition of the role of the Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board (FASJAB), Metro Mayor S Rotheram proposed that they be asked to consider how both the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working definition of anti-Semitism and the adoption of the definition of Islamophobia be incorporated into the day to day work of the Combined Authority.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the working definition of Islamophobia as promoted by the all-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims be adopted; and

(ii)            the Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board (FASJAB) be asked to consider how the adoption of both the working definition of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism be incorporated into the day to day work of the Combined Authority.

Members of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority are asked to approve the Committee timetable for 2019/20.

           RESOLVED – That the Committee timetable 2019/20 be agreed.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Monitoring Officer which sought approval of the appointment of an independent Member to serve on the Audit and Governance Committee and to approve the substitute appointment of the LCR Local Enterprise Partnership to the Combined Authority.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             Martin McDonagh be appointed to serve as an Independent Member on the Combined Authority’s Audit and Governance Committee for 2 years with effect from 20 March 2019; and

(ii)            it be noted that Paul Corcoran be nominated substitute for the Chair of the LCR Local Enterprise Partnership at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority meetings.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions which have been submitted in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11. A period of 30 minutes will be allocated for this item. Copies of valid questions will be circulated at the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to submit questions are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, Merseytravel, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

A proforma will be supplied for the submission of public questions which for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 8 April 2019.

Members of the public were given the opportunity to submit questions which had been submitted in accordance with Meetings Standing Order No. 11.

Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that two question’s had been received from Josie Mullen. In this respect, Josie Mullen, directed the following question to the LCR Combined Authority:-

Question One

Why has LCA decided that the question of threatened greenspace/greenbelt   and green wedge cannot form part of the Year of the Environment? 

Question Two

If the Year of The Environment is so important could the Liverpool Combined Authority organise a meeting for all green campaign groups in the LCA & the Metro Mayor/ Leaders, to discuss the very serious issues relating to green space loss?

Metro Mayor S Rotheram thanked Josie Mullen for her question and reported that the with regards to the issue of threatened greenspace/greenbelt and green wedge being included as part of the Year of the Environment, this was not a decision that had been made by the Combined Authority. The Year of the Environment was a broad coalition of partners from across a wide range of organisations and was chaired independently of the Combined Authority.

Furthermore, the Year of the Environment steering group had determined that Year of the Environment should not be used to promote site-specific or single issue agendas and should instead have a much broader remit and reach. Further information regarding The Year of the Environment can be found on the website of Nature Connected.

With regards to question two, Metro Mayor S Rotheram welcomed requests to meet individuals. He reported that the Combined Authority was actively supporting the Year of the Environment 2019 as per the resolutions agreed at the meetings held on 24 August 2018 and the 11 January 2019. He also advised that the Combined Authority had hosted the official launch of the Year of the Environment in January with over 200 people from environmental groups across the city region in attendance.

In conclusion, he advised that issues of green space designation and development were not within the remit of the Combined Authority, as these were decisions for local authorities to take, either as landowners or local planning authorities, or both, as with normal protocols.

He thanked Josie Mullen for the submission of her two questions and reported that a written response would be provided within 10 working days.

Members of the public who wish to submit a single position or statement in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11 are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, Merseytravel, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

The single petition or statement for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 8 April 2019.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that no petitions or statements had been received.

           RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 7 March 2019 were received and confirmed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that Councillor Terry O’Neill, had stood down as Leader of Warrington Borough Council. On behalf of the LCR Combined Authority, he wished to place on record his thanks for the contribution he had made to the City Region and wished him well for the future.

           He also informed the LCR Combined Authority that this was Councillor Phil Davies, last meeting as he was retiring as both the Leader and Councillor from Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. He informed the Combined Authority that Councillor Davies had been elected to represent the Birkenhead and Tranmere Ward in 1991 and became Leader of Wirral MBC in May 2012. He paid tribute to Councillor Davies chairmanship of the Combined Authority and the significant role he had in securing the devolution deal for the City Region.

           In closing, the Metro Mayor emphasised the importance of recognising Councillor Davies 30 years of dedicated public service and the contribution to improving the lives of people in Wirral and the city region. He wished to place on record his personal thanks to Councillor Davies and on behalf of the LCR Combined Authority thanked him for his contribution and wished him well for the future.