Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

Members of the LCR Combined Authority

Mayor J Anderson OBE, Portfolio Holder: Education, Employment & Skills

Councillor D Baines, Portfolio Holder: Digital Connectivity & Inclusion

Associate Members

Councillor I Moran, Leader: West Lancashire Borough Council

Councillor R Bowden, Leader: Warrington Borough Council

Deputy Portfolio Holders

Councillor K Groucutt: Inclusive Growth & Third Sector

Councillor S Powell: Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy

Mayoral Advisors

Reverend Canon Dr E Loudon, Community and Voluntary Sector

G Ben-Tovim OBE, Natural Environment

B Spicer, Social Housing Growth

Councillor E Spurrell, Tackling Violence against Women and Girls

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

           RESOLVED – That the minutes of the LCR Combined Authority held on 6 September 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To receive updates from the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram provided members with an update on his activities and key developments since the last meeting of the LCR Combined Authority.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram welcomed the graduates who had recently started work at the LCR Combined Authority. He went on to explain that the second annual Convention of the North had been held in Rotherham in September, which he and a number of the other Leaders had attend. He reported that the convention was the largest gathering of politicians, civil servants, business people, civic leaders, faith groups and trade union representatives from across the North of the country. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, provided a speech at the Convention in which he set out a commitment to devolve further powers to the regions. Metro Mayor S Rotheram concluded his updated on the Convention by confirming that the 2020 Convention of the North would be held in Liverpool.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained that following on from the Convention of the North, there was a meeting of the nine Metro Mayors from across the county, at which they discussed the collective asks to be presented to Government, following the Prime Ministers commitment for further devolution to the regions.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram provided an update on Northern Rail. He explained that notification had been received from Northern Rail in which they advised that they would not be providing a services from Liverpool to Manchester Airport and no rail replacement bus service would be provided either. He expressed his anger at this decision, which was unacceptable and advised that he had contacted Northern Rail to ask them to reconsider their decision regarding not providing a rail replacement bus service. Furthermore, he would be meeting with senior officials from the organisation to discuss this matter further.

           He went to explain that he had had the pleasure of attending the naming ceremony of the RSS David Attenborough which was held at Cammell Lairds, Birkenhead on Thursday 26 September 2019. Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that the ceremony provided a great opportunity to welcome Sir David Attenborough to the City Region and also showcase the excellent workforce at Camell Lairds who had built a state of the art boat.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram also congratulated Katrina Johnson Thompson who had won gold in the heptathlon at the World Championships. He reflected upon the new British record she had set and how the City Region was proud of her achievements.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram provided an update on the community engagement activity he was undertaking, which had included the following:-

·            A visit to Birkenhead Park to see the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lightening Seeds perform as part of Wirral’s, Borough of Culture year;

·            Visited CNC Robotics in Aintree who were a ground breaking organisation who made bespoke robots for businesses and organisations across the UK;

·            Visited Huyton Town Centre, who were one of the beneficiaries of the Combined Authorities Town Centre Fund to see how the area would benefit from the investment;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Monitoring Officer which proposed a number of constitutional amendments to the Officer Code of Conduct, Land Procedure Rule and Contract Procedure Rules.

Jill Coule, Monitoring Officer, informed Members that the LCR Combined Authority Constitution had undergone a number of revisions reflecting the evolution of the LCR Combined Authority from a theoretical to a delivery organisation. She drew Members attention to paragraphs 4.11 to 4.16 within the report, which set out proposals to support the arrangements of the Strategic Investment Fund. 

Members were advised that recommendation C was to be deferred to a future meeting and a supplementary report had been circulated which sought the appointment of Councillor J Morgan (Knowsley MBC) to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the revised Constitution set out in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.17 of the report and appendices 1 to 3 be agreed;

(ii)            Tony Reeves, Liverpool City Council Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) be appointed as the Combined Authority Returning Officer (CARO) in respect of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayoral election, due to take place on Thursday 7 May 2020;

(iii)           Councillor Sam Gorst (Liverpool City Council) be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(iv)          Councillor John Morgan (Knowsley MBC) be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Framework and the Senior Head of Policy and Strategic Commissioning which presented the Liverpool City Region’s Spatial Planning Statement of Common Ground.

           Councillor G Morgan, Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Framework, informed Members that the Spatial Planning Statement of Common Ground was a key document for the Spatial Development Strategy process. The development of the Statement had been undertaken in partnership with each of the constituent Local Authorities and West Lancashire Borough Council. To date, 4 of the constituent Local Authorities had approved the Statement with Halton Borough Council and Liverpool City Council set to adopt the Statement in the coming weeks.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the LCR Spatial Planning Statement of Common Ground be adopted;

(ii)            the Metro Mayor be authorised to sign the Statement of Common Ground on behalf of the LCR Combined Authority;

(iii)           delegated authority be granted to the Senior Head of Service Policy and Strategic Commissioning, to agree minor word changes if proposed by other Liverpool City Region Authorities as part of their adoption procedures, or required to update the document; and

(iv)          the seven Local Authorities also adopt the LCR Statement of Common Ground through their own Local Authority procedures.

To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Framework and the Senior Head of Policy and Strategic Commissioning.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Framework and the Senior Head of Policy and Strategic Commissioning which set out a proposed approach to the initial engagement on the LCR Spatial Development Strategy (SDS).

           Councillor G Morgan, Portfolio Holder: Housing and Spatial Framework, informed Members that as part of the Devolution Agreement the LCR Combined Authority and its partners were required to produce a Spatial Development Strategy. He emphasised that the Strategy would not be focused upon the allocation of ground but would ensure the alignment of decisions relating to transport and the environment. To shape the policy direction of the Spatial Development Strategy a 13 week engagement process would commence from October 2019 through to January 2020.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the proposed approach of engagement for the Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy non-regulatory engagement be noted; and

(ii)            the proposed dates for the 13 week engagement be noted.

To consider the report of the Senior Head of Operations and the Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Senior Head of Operations and the Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality which set out a draft Liverpool City Region Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

           Councillor L Robinson, Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality reflected upon the challenges facing the City Region to encourage people to travel actively. The aim of the Plan was to deliver high quality infrastructure for cycling and walking networks. Members were advised that public opinion supported the investment as 71% had indicated that they would want to cycle, however, they wanted a high quality cycling network. In conclusion, Councillor Robinson, reported that funds had been committed to commence work on seven streams to deliver an improved cycling network and it was envisaged that this work would start an active travel revolution across the City Region.

           Professor Dame J Beer, Mayoral Advisor: Higher Education, referred to the need to improve driver education in relation to cyclists on the highway and suggested that measures should be undertaken to address this. She also sought clarity on how public transport would support the movement of bikes.

           Councillor L Robinson informed Members that there was already a high quality infrastructure at train stations to accommodate cyclists and the new Merseyrail fleet had been designed by cyclists to accommodate bikes. Furthermore, the introduction of the green bus corridor would also enhance the infrastructure for cyclists with the introduction of lockable cabinets at key bus stops. He acknowledged that driver education was important as research demonstrated that cyclists preferred to be away from other vehicles and so road user attitudes had to be challenged.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that the Liverpool City Region’s Road Safety Strategy which was published in 2017 covered many of the issues relating to road safety. He emphasised that the cycling infrastructure would support segregated cycle pathways and was the first step towards the creation of a 160km cycling network across the City Region. In conclusion, he added that approximately 8,000 people had participated in the Bikeability Road Safety Awareness Scheme.

           Jane Kennedy, Portfolio Holder: Criminal Justice, reported that the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership undertook a significant amount of work in relation to raising drivers awareness of cyclists and was known as Operation Safe Police. As part of this Operation, Merseyside Police would undertake enforcement action against those drivers who didn’t give cyclists sufficient room on the road. She paid tribute to those Local Authorities who sought to make improvements to road safety.

           RESOLVED – That the LCR Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) set out in Appendix One to the report now submitted be approved, which sought to clearly articulate the City Region’s vision, plans and priorities for a strategic cycling and walking network over the next ten years.

To consider the report of the Senior Head of Policy and Strategic Commissioning.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report from the Senior Head of Service – Policy and Strategic Commissioning, which provided an update on Central Governments recently announced £3.6 billion Towns Fund.

           Dr A Jones, Senior Head of Service, Policy and Strategic Commissioning, reported that as part of the recent spending review announced by Government, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government had announced details of the £3.6bn Towns Fund, which included an initial list of 100 towns who had been invited to submit a bid for a share of the funding.  From the Liverpool City Region, Birkenhead, Runcorn, Southport and St Helens had all been identified as towns who could submit a bid to the Towns Fund. Members were advised that it was anticipated that Government would be shortly publishing the prospectus and eligibility criteria for the Fund.

           Dr A Jones emphasised that the LCR Combined Authority was keen to work with the constituent Local Authorities to consider co-investment. Furthermore, an LCR Officer Group had been established to develop best practice and ensure proposals supported the Local Industrial Strategy and the Spatial Development Strategy.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, welcomed the opportunity for funding to support economic development opportunities for Birkenhead. However, he noted that the towns selected by Central Government had not been informed by local knowledge which was disappointing.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the contents of the report be noted; 

(ii)            a joint Combined Authority and Local Authority Towns Working Group be established which is co-chaired by the Combined Authority and Local Authority representatives; and

(iii)           the draft Terms of Reference for the Working Group set out at Annex A be agreed.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Education, Employment and Skills.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector and the Director of Commercial Development and Investment which sought approval of the Full Business case to allocate up to £3.96m of Strategic Investment Fund to support the Skills and Apprenticeship Hub.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, welcomed the initiative, which sought to simplify how employers and learners navigated the local skills landscape.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the full business case with allocation of £3.96m for the Skills and Apprenticeships Hub project be approved; and

(ii)            delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the funding and associated agreements in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector which sought approval to establish a Brexit Resilience Fund to support Small and Medium (SME) businesses in the City Region. The aim of the Fund was to deal with Brexit implications for SME’s in the City Region, regardless of whether there was a deal or otherwise.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, reported that the Brexit Resilience Fund would support businesses during the Brexit process. The Fund would provide loans to trading companies in the City Region to support them to recover from any consequences as a result of Brexit.  Furthermore, professional advisors would be recruited to support the operation of the Fund.

           Mr A Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Brexit, welcomed the establishment of the Fund and recognised how it would support businesses during the uncertainty over the coming months.

           Councillor I Maher, Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy, welcomed the Fund and acknowledged the positive impact it could have on the potential detrimental impacts of Brexit. He drew attention to the Port of Liverpool, which as the main Port for England could require assistance should there be an increase in the movement of freight from the Port.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram, supported the establishment of the Fund and recognised how it would support SME’s within the City Region to deal with the implications of Brexit, regardless of whether there was a deal or no deal.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the loan fund to deal with Brexit implications for SMEs of £15m (the Brexit Resilience Fund) be approved; 

(ii)            £5m of SIF resources be committed with immediate effect and delegated authority be granted to the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth and Third Sector and the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to commit the remaining £10m as demand for funding occurs; and

(iii)           delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the Fund and associated agreements in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer. 

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector which sought approval to establish an Inward Investment Facilitation Fund.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector, advised that this Fund was seeking to commit £4,500,000 towards an Inward Investment Facilitation Fund. The aim of the Fund was to attract inward investors to help drive productivity and higher value employment across the City Region.

           Mr A Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Brexit, acknowledged that to support the City Region’s growth it was vital that businesses from outside of the City Region were encouraged to invest into it which this Fund sought to achieve. He also praised the joint delivery of the Fund between the LCR Combined Authority and the LCR Local Enterprise Partnership.

           Councillor I Maher, Portfolio Holder: Leisure, Tourism and the Visitor Economy, sought confirmation that recommendation (ii) contained within the report would be undertaken in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, which was confirmed.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the provision of a grant fund of up to £4,500,000 (the Inward Investment Facilitation Fund, I2F2) be approved; and

(ii)            delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the fund and associated agreements in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector which sought approval to establish a Flexible Growth Fund.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, reported that this was a £20m fund which would provide flexible loans to existing ambitious companies in the Liverpool City Region, who were considering investment in their company. The Fund would enable companies to access loans at a subsidised interest rate and with lower security requirements than the commercial sector could provide.

           Mr A Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Brexit, explained how the creation of this Fund was a significant step change for businesses in the City Region. He thanked those officers involved in the creation of this Fund and the Brexit Resilience Fund and the Inward Investment Facilitation Fund as this package would help drive forward growth in the City Region.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             the provision of a loan fund of £20m (the Flexible Growth Fund) be approved;

(ii)            £5m of SIF resources be committed today and delegated authority be granted to the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth and Third Sector and the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to commit the remaining £15m as demand for funding occurs; and

(iii)           delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the Fund and associated agreements in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector.

           The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector which sought approval to establish an intensive business scale-up support programme for createch SMEs in the Liverpool City Region.

           Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector informed Members that this was a further positive investment as it sought to support City Region tech-enabled companies to develop. Furthermore, the programme would be supported by an external programme manager who had an excellent track record of supporting similar programmes in other cities.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram referred to the cumulatively investment of this programme and the three previous funds which equated too £75m of investment to scale up economic growth across the City Region. He reflected on the positive opportunities these funding streams would bring for businesses within the City Region which would support job creation, economic growth and existing businesses and demonstrated that the decision taken by the constituent Local Authority Leaders to agree a devolution deal for the City Region was the right one.

           Mr A Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Brexit, welcomed the cohesive structure of the Funds along with the creation of the City Region Growth Company which provided a single point of contact for business investment and would be welcomed by the business community.

           RESOLVED – That:-

(i)             a budget of up to £3,486,400 be allocated from the Gainshare Revenue (£3,150,260) and Gainshare Capital (£336,140) be approved;

(ii)            the appointment of the successful bidder following the conclusion of the procurement exercise (the “Supplier”) as service provider to deliver the programme be approved; and

(iii)           delegated authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment, in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer, to finalise the terms of any legal agreements necessary to secure the services of the Supplier.

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 30 September 2019.

           Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that no public questions had been received.

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 30 September 2019.

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

           RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 18 July 2019 were received as a correct record.