Agenda and minutes

            In opening the meeting, Metro Mayor Rotheram welcomed Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey, Chief Operating Officer, West Lancashire Borough Council and Lynn Morris, Mayoral Advisor: Fairness and Social Justice, to their first meeting of the LCR Combined Authority.

            Metro Mayor S Rotheram informed Members of the sad passing of Mary Twigg, who had worked alongside Derek, her husband, for many years. He also referred to the recent attacks on London Bridge, in which 2 people had died.

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

Members of the LCR Combined Authority

Councillor D Baines, Portfolio Holder: Digital Connectivity and Inclusion

Co-opted Members

Rt Hon J Kennedy, Portfolio Holder: Criminal Justice

Associate Members

Councillor I Moran, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council

Councillor R Bowden, Leader of Warrington Borough Council

Deputy Portfolio Holders

Councillor K Groucutt, Inclusive Growth and Third Sector

Councillor T Hardy, Housing and Spatial Framework

Councillor P Sinnott, Education, Employment and Skills

Mayoral Advisors

Professor Dame J Beer, Higher Education

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 – The minutes of the LCR Combined Authority held on 1 November 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 referred to the outcome of the retrial of Commander David Duckenfield. He noted that the families of the victims had made their feelings clear on the outcome and that they would continue to have the deepest sympathies and support. Along with Margaret Aspinall and Mayor Andy Burnham, he explained that they had written to Political Party Leaders asking that enact the Hillsborough Law which calls for equal funding so there is parity of access to legal representation and Duty of Candour.

Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained that the first LCR Environment Summit had been held in November. The summit had been hugely successful and it had seen the announcement of a Green Community Fund, which would support some local organisations as well as the LCR Climate Partnership. A newly announced body would also ensure that the City Region met its aim of becoming net zero carbon by 2040.

Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that he recently attended Business Awards hosted by both St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Both Business Awards showcased what each of the Boroughs had to offer. He went on to explain that following on from these two events he had spoken with Wirral Chamber of Commerce to talk about the recent £75m agreed at the last meeting of the LCR Combined Authority which would go directly towards supporting businesses in the City Region.

Metro Mayor S Rotheram reported that this week had seen the launch of the Poverty and Life Chances Action Group. This followed the release of statistics earlier in the year which said that 31% of children living in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral were growing up in poverty and was a disgrace. He went on to explain that by bringing together politicians, practitioners, academics, trade unionists and faith leaders from across the six boroughs of the City Region, it was hoped this terrible statistics could be addressed.

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

·           A visit to Calderstones Mansion House in Allerton with the Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Andy Burnham;

·           Attended Kirkby High School to witness the fantastic work being achieved by the Innovate Her programme, which encouraged young girls into studying STEM;

·           Visited Southport College to view the newly opened gas and plumbing facilitates which had received £400,000 of LCR Combined Authority funding; and

·           Witnessed at first hand the work at Tuebrook Children’s Centre, which was providing children with the best possible start in life.

The Metro Mayor went on to highlight that the first of the new fleet of Merseyrail trains would shortly be arriving in the City Region. In conclusion, the Metro Mayor reported that this week saw the transfer of the title of Borough of Culture transfer from Wirral Metropolitan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy.

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism and Visitor Economy and the Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning, which sought approval and endorsement of the Liverpool City Region Music Strategy and action plan which had been developed through the LCR Music Board.

In introducing the report, Councillor I Maher, Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism and Visitor Economy, requested that the LCR Music Board review the Music Strategy to ensure there was an emphasis on the Liverpool City Region throughout the Strategy. Councillor Maher, went on to explain that the Strategy contained four key priorities, with a focus on the Agent of Change principle.

Councillor Maher highlighted how the strategic priorities were supported by a 12 Action Plan, which aimed to support new and existing businesses, create new jobs, develop greater sector connectivity and support talent and artist development whilst also increasing music tourism and spend. Furthermore, as part of the promotion of the Strategy the Music Board will hold a number of roadshows across the City Region to launch the strategy and would take this opportunity to discuss the local music infrastructure offer and also seek four new Board members, whilst also launching the Music Board website. In conclusion, Councillor Maher reflected on how music was embedded in all aspects of our lives and welcomed the Strategy.

Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained that the Chair of the LCR Music Board, Michael Eakin, was present in the public gallery and would undertake to strength the reference of the Liverpool City Region throughout the Strategy.  

RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the Liverpool City Region Music Strategy and Action Plan as set out at Appendix One be agreed and endorsed; and

(ii)          the delivery of the LCR Music Board Strategic priorities be supported, pending the success of the Strategic Investment Fund bid which was currently in development.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder: Low Carbon and Energy Renewables.

            The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning and the Portfolio Holder: Low Carbon and Energy Renewable, which provided an update on the progress following the declaration of a Climate Emergency by the LCR Combined Authority in July 2019. The report also set out the latest position on the work being under on the development of a Climate Action Plan for the Liverpool City Region.

            Councillor Polhill, Portfolio Holder: Low Carbon and Energy Renewable, reported that following approval of the Climate Emergency by the LCR Combined Authority in June, significant progress had been made in developing a comprehensive climate action plan. The climate action plan would be presented to the March meeting of the LCR Combined Authority for consideration.

            RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the progress achieved to date in the development of a range of measures and initiatives outlined in this report that contribute to the City Region reducing its carbon and climate impacts be noted; and

(ii)          the next stage of developing a climate action plane be agreed.

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

            The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth and Third Sector and the Director of Commercial Development and Investment which provided a quarterly update on the Strategic Investment Fund.

            Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector, explained that this report provided an update on the activity within the Strategic Investment Fund. He explained that work was ongoing to ensure the Fund was delivered, however, he explained that were projects could not deliver consideration would be given to re-distributing the funding to projects which were achievable. He set out some of the key highlights for this quarter, which included the Skills Capital Programme and the ongoing development of strong pipeline projects for the Strategic Investment Fund Round Two and the Transforming Cities Fund.

            RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the quarterly update be noted;

(ii)          the proposed approach to continuing project approvals, in advance of future funding be agreed;

(iii)         the inclusion of the hydrogen buses proposal as a Transforming Cities scheme be approved;

(iv)         the projects approved in line with agreed criteria for pre-development funding in the table as set out in paragraph 5 be noted;

(v)          the changes outlined in section 6 of the report to the following schemes be agreed:

·               M58 Junction 1 Improvement Scheme;

·               Silver Jubilee Bridge Steady State Maintenance Scheme (Year 3);

·               Women’s Technology Training Limited;

(vi)         the project changes outlined in Appendix 1 of the report, in accordance with the agreed SIF change control criteria be noted; and

(vii)        the revisions to the SIF change control criteria as set out in Section 8 of the report be unanimously approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality.

            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 provided an update on the progression of proposals from scheme promoters for the Transforming Cities Funding.

Councillor Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector, reported that funding for three projects to support the introduction of the new Merseyrail fleet for the City Region was being sought. £1,396,000 was being  for the first phase of the smart ticketing programme, £3,540,279 was for Independently Powered Electrical Multiple Units (IPEMU) and £16,176,237 for Train Connectivity and Information Systems (TCIS). The IPEMU would support the development of on board battery technology and the TCIS would provide the infrastructure to deliver high capacity/quality wireless connectivity for the new Merseyrail fleet.

            Councillor L Robinson, Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality, welcomed the investment and explained that the IPEMU would see pioneering battery technology being used on the new Merseyrail fleet which could allow the extension of the Merseyrail network. Councillor Robinson went on to highlight how the introduction of a Metro card had significant potential to integrate the transport. 

            RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the provision of grant funding from the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) for each of the following three projects up to the amount specified:

·               Smart Ticketing (Phase 1) - £1,396,000;

·               Independently Powered Electrical Multiple Units (IPEMU) - £3,540,279;

·               Train Connectivity and Information Systems (TCIS) - £16,176,237

(ii)          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 Growth and Third Sector.

The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector which sought approval to fund the delivery of the 2020 Good Business Festival.

Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Growth and Third Sector, explained that the Good Business Festival would take place in October 2020 and £3,000,000 was being sought to deliver the Festival.

            Mr A Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder: Business Growth and Brexit, welcomed the investment and noted that the Good Business Festival would be an excellent opportunity for SME’s across the City Region. 

            Metro Mayor S Rotheram, welcomed the Good Business Festival investment.

            RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the provision of funding of up to £3,000,000 be approved; and

(ii)          authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the agreement and Festival approach 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 Growth and Third Sector.

            The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector which sought approval for £1,000,000 towards the extension of the Growing Business Visits project.

            Councillor P Hackett, Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector explained that this project had previously been agreed by the LCR Combined Authority, however, an extension to the project end date to 31 May 2027 and additional revenue funding were sought. The additional funding would seek to attract large scale conferences to both the Southport Convention Bureau and The Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool (ACCL).

Metro Mayor S Rotheram noted that the additional funding would deliver tangible economic benefits by increasing visitor numbers to the City Region.

Councillor I Maher, Portfolio Holder: Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy, welcomed the report and remarked upon the positive impact the additional funding would have on local business and the visitor economy across the City Region.

RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the approval by the LCR Combined Authority at its meeting on 11 January 2019 to invest a £572,833 revenue grant in the Growing Business Visits project to support the development by the Growth Company of a strategy and a commercial model to sustain conference subvention in the Liverpool City Region be noted;

(ii)          an increase in the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) revenue grant funding support from £572,833 to £1,572,833 for use in the period set out in 3.9 of the report be approved; and

(iii)         authority be delegated to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Treasurer, to finalise negotiations of detailed terms of the funding materially in line with the existing grant funding agreement which was signed by all parties on 8 August 2019. Any material variations to the project as detailed in this report are to be referred back to the Combined Authority for consideration.  

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

            The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Education, Employment and Skills which sought approval an aggregate investment package for applications received under third prospectus of the Liverpool City Region Skills Capital Fund.

Mayor J Anderson OBE, Portfolio Holder: Education, Employment and Skills, advised Members that funding from the Skills Capital Investment Fund would provide opportunities for young people to develop the skills for the new businesses which were coming to the City Region. He explained that investment was being proposed for Southport College, The City of Liverpool College, Sefton Community Learning, Cambridge Road and Riverside College. This investment would enable the Colleges to enhance their infrastructure to enable young people to develop the skills required for employment. 

Metro Mayor S Rotheram explained that he had met with representatives of Merseyside College earlier in the week who recognised the benefits of devolution through the Adult Education Budget and expressed their desire to see greater devolved powers to the LCR Combined Authority. In conclusion, he placed on record his thanks to the Adult Education Budget team.

RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            The submissions received as set out in Appendix 1 and Table B be noted;

(ii)          Strand 4 (FE College maintenance) allocations which were agreed by the Combined Authority on 12 April 2019 and now have Grant Funding Agreements in place,  with work progressing be noted;

(iii)         Strand 2, Strand 3 and Strand 5 submissions to progress to Grant Funding Agreement following robust appraisal and review by the SIF investment Panel be approved;

(iv)         Strand 1 submissions for SIF2072 – Southport College; SIF2086 – City of Liverpool College; SIF2087 – Sefton Council Community Learning Cambridge Road and SIF2085 – Riverside College be approved;

(v)          the programme risks and proposed mitigating actions in Section 7 of the report be noted;

(vi)         authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to approve up to £400,000 of Low Carbon Investment Fund SIF resources to Low Carbon focused Skills Capital Investment Fund submissions; and

(vii)        authority be granted to the Director of Commercial Development and Investment to approve further investment, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Treasurer, of the remaining uncommitted SIF Capital funds, including reshaping of existing Strand 1 submissions, to ensure deliverability, subject to appropriate reporting to the SIF Internal Investment Panel up to £1,932,796.

To consider the report of the Director of Corporate Services.

            The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which provided an update for the revenue and capital activity for the period April to 30 September 2019 and treasury management activity.

            RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the revenue position for the Combined Authority for the period to 30 September 2019 be noted;

(ii)          the revised budget and the increase in the non precepted budget of £3.224m reflecting the transfer of budgets from Merseytravel to the Combined Authority and the corresponding reduction in the Merseytravel operating grant of £3.224m as detailed in table 1 of the report be approved;

(iii)         the reduction in the Mersey Tunnels operating grant and the corresponding reduction in the utilisation of reserves of £0.076m as detailed in table 1 of the report be approved;

(iv)         OLEV funding of £6.5m to support the deployment of a hydrogen refueller and hydrogen buses as detailed at 4.2.10 of the report be approved;

(v)          the capital position for the Combined Authority for the period to 30 September 2019 be noted;

(vi)         the mid-year treasury management strategy statement be noted; and

(vii)        the updated Prudential Indicators be approved.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

            The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Monitoring Officer which recommended an appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

            RESOLVED – That Councillor Liz Dowd (Sefton) MBC) be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  

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, LCR Combined Authority, 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 2 December 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, LCR Combined Authority, 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 2 December 2019.

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

            RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 10 October 2019 were received as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1985, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

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 Economy and Third Sector which sought approval to provide support of Strategic Investment Funding to Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council to support various property acquisitions.   

RESOLVED – That the actions and delegations outlined in paragraph 3.5 of the report be approved.

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

The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Director of Commercial Development and Investment and the Portfolio Holder: Inclusive Economy and Third Sector which sought approval to provide support of Strategic Investment Funding to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council to purchase land and property assets and to fund the development of a supermarket/retail scheme in the town centre of Kirkby. 

RESOLVED – That:-

(i)            the provision of funding of £10,000,000 from the Strategic Investment Fund in support of the acquisition by KMBC of land owned by St Modwen in Kirkby Town Centre and the development of the proposed supermarket/retail scheme be approved. In principle, a further £5,000,000 from the SIF to support further land acquisition or development by KMBC to regenerate Kirkby Town Centre, and note that the release of any such funding will be subject to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council setting out a satisfactory business case, duly considered in accordance with paragraph 3.9 of the report be approved; and

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