Agenda and minutes

Annual Meeting, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - Friday, 10th June, 2022 12.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, High Street, Liverpool L2 3SW

Contact: Trudy Bedford 

Note: THE MEETING IS BEING STREAMED VIA THE LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE. TO VIEW THE WEBCAST OF THE MEETING PLEASE CLICK ON THE VIEW THE WEBCAST LINK 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

 

LCR Combined Authority

Mayor Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool City Council  

Councillor Janette Williamson, Leader of Wirral Council

 

Associate Member

Councillor Russ Bowden, Leader of Warrington Council

Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Council

 

Deputy Portfolio Holders

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins

Councillor Trish Hardy

Councillor Shelley Powell

Councillor Kate Groucutt

Councillor Marion Atkinson

2.

Declarations of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

3.

Vote of thanks to Retiring Members

Additional documents:

Minutes:

As this was the first meeting of the LCR Combined Authority since the local Elections held in May 2022, the Metro Mayor took the opportunity to pay thanks to those Members who had retired or who had not been re-appointed to the Combined Authority and its Committees.

 

In doing so the Metro Mayor thanked:

 

·             Councillor Louise Whitley who was the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills and Equality during the 2021-22 municipal year. Previous to that she had been a Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee from 2018 through to 2021.

 

·             Councillor Adrian Jones who was an active Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from 2018 to 2022.

 

·             Councillor John Stockton who was a long-standing Member of the Transport Committee and held the positions of Lead Member for Customer and Smart Ticketing and Lead Member for Bus. He had also been the Chair of the TravelSafe Board.

 

The Metro Mayor reported that there were a number of Members who had not been re-appointed to Committees. He thanked Councillor Patrick Hurley and Councillor John Morgan who were on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during 2021-22. Along with Councillor Tony Brough and Councillor Anthony Lavelle who had previously been Members of the Transport Committee.

4.

Combined Authority Constitution pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Jill Coule will present this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Monitoring Officer which sought approval of the Constitution, which included the provisions of the Environment Act 2021 that were exercisable by the Combined Authority in relation to the Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          The Combined Authority Constitution including the updated Staffing Structure (Appendix 1) be agreed;

 

(ii)         The addition to Part 2 of the Constitution (Powers and Functions conferred on the Combined Authority) to reflect the provisions of the Environment Act 2021 that are exercisable by the Combined Authority in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategies as outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved; and

 

(iii)       Delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Climate Partnership, to review the Partnerships Terms of Reference.

 

 

5.

Nominations to the Combined Authority 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Jill Coule will present this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Monitoring Officer which presented the following nominations received from the constituent Local Authorities following their Annual Meetings.

 

Combined Authority

 

 

Appointment

Substitute appointment

Halton BC

Councillor Mike Wharton

Councillor Dave Thompson

Knowsley MBC

Councillor Graham Morgan

Councillor Margaret Harvey

Liverpool CC

Mayor Joanne Anderson

Councillor Jane Corbett

Sefton MBC

Councillor Ian Maher

Councillor John Fairclough

St Helens MBC

Councillor David Baines

Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron MBE

Wirral MBC

Councillor Janette Williamson

Councillor Jean Robinson

 

LCR Local Enterprise Partnership

 

Appointment

Substitute appointment

Mr Asif Hamid MBE

Mr Paul Corcoran

 

Associate Members

 

 

Appointment

Substitute appointment

Warrington BC

Councillor Russ Bowden

Councillor Cathy Mitchell

West Lancashire BC

Councillor Yvonne Gagen

Councillor Gareth Dowling

 

Non-Voting Members

 

Chair of the Transport Committee

To be confirmed by the Transport Committee

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner

Emily Spurrell

 

Portfolio Holders

 

Portfolio

Nomination

Policy, Reform and Resources

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

Education, Skills and Equality & Diversity

Mayor Joanne Anderson

Digital Connectivity and Inclusion

Councillor Ian Maher

Housing and Spatial Planning

Councillor Graham Morgan

Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy

Councillor David Baines

Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy

Councillor Mike Wharton

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector

Councillor Janette Williamson

Business Support

Mr Asif Hamid MBE

* Transport and Air Quality

Chair of the Transport Committee

*Criminal Justice

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner

*Indicates non-voting co-opted member

 

Deputy Portfolio Holders

 

Deputy Portfolio

Nomination

Policy, Reform and Resources

Councillor Carla Thomas

Education, Skills and Equality and Diversity

Councillor Angela Ball

Digital Connectivity and Inclusion

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins

Housing and Spatial Framework

Councillor Trish Hardy

Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy

Councillor Gill Wood

Culture, Tourism and The Visitor Economy

Councillor Shelley Powell

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector

Councillor Kate Groucutt

Business Support

Councillor Marion Atkinson

Transport and Air Quality

Vice-Chair of the Transport Committee

Criminal Justice

To be confirmed

 

Appointment of Officers

 

Subject Area

Lead Officer

Work Deputy Officer (where appropriate)

Head of Paid Service

Katherine Fairclough

Chief Executive

Richard McGuckin

Executive Director Place

Treasurer (S73 Officer)

John Fogarty

Executive Director of Corporate Services

Sarah Johnston

Assistant Director of Finance

Monitoring Officer, Proper Officer and SIRO

Jill Coule

Chief Legal Officer

 

Louise Outram

Deputy Chief Legal Officer

Statutory Scrutiny Officer

Trudy Bedford

Principal Democratic Services Officer

Lisa Backstrom

Senior Democratic Services Officer

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          the appointments from Constituent Councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership to the Combined Authority be noted;

 

(ii)         Councillor Janette Williamson be appointed as the Deputy Mayor for 2022/23;

 

(iii)       the appointments from Associate Members to the Combined Authority as set out in Section 4 be noted;

 

(iv)       the appointment of the non-voting Members as set out in Section 5 be approved;

 

(v)        the appointment of the Portfolio and Deputy Portfolio Holders as set out in Sections 6 and 7 be approved; and

 

(vi)       the appointment of Statutory Officers as set out in Section 8 be noted.

 

6.

Appointments to Committees 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Jill Coule will present this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Monitoring Officer which set out the appointments to Committees following the Annual Meetings of each of the constituent Local Authorities.

 

Member’s attention was drawn to Appendix One of the report which set out the memberships of Committee’s, Portfolio Boards and other Bodies. It was reported that a supplementary appendix had been circulated setting out the appointments which had been received since the agenda had been published. 

 

RESOLVED – That the appointments set out in the Supplementary Appendix One be agreed.

7.

Appointments to Outside Bodies 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Jill Coule will present this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered the report of the Monitoring Officer which proposed appointments of both Elected Members and Officers to serve on outside bodies.

 

RESOLVED – That the following appointments be approved:

 

(i)          LCR Local Enterprise Partnership Board

           

Position

Name

Metro Mayor of the LCR Combined Authority

 

Steve Rotheram

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Portfolio Holder

Councillor Janette Williamson

Education, Skills and Equality and Diversity Portfolio Holder

Mayor Joanne Anderson 

 

(ii)         Growth Platform Trade Company 

         

Position

Name

Non-Executive Director

Dr Aileen Jones, Executive Director Investment and Delivery

Non-Executive Director

Kirsty McLean, Executive Director of Policy, Strategy and Government Relations

 

(iii)       Growth Platform Teckal Company 

         

Position

Name

Non-Executive Director

Dr Aileen Jones, Executive Director Investment and Delivery

Non-Executive Director

Kirsty McLean, Executive Director of Policy, Strategy and Government Relations

 

(iv)       The Growth Platform Hold Co be dissolved;

 

(v)        Chrysalis Fund

         

Position

Name

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Portfolio Holder - Board Director

Councillor J Williamson

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Deputy Portfolio Holder – Substitute

Councillor K Groucutt

LCR Combined Authority Officer Representative

Raphael Miller

LCR Combined Authority Officer Representative – Substitute

John Gray

(vi)       Chrysalis Advisory Committee

         

Name

Organisation

John Gray

LCR Combined Authority

Wes Rourke

Halton Borough Council

Alan Evans

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

 

(vii)     A report on the future arrangements for the Chrysalis Fund be presented to a future meeting of the Combined Authority;

 

(viii)    Transport for the North

         

Organisation

Representative

Transport for the North (TfN) Board and Partnership Board

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality (Substitute Member)

Rail North Committee Member

Committee Member – Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

Substitute Member – Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality

General Purposes Committee

Committee Member – Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram

Substitute Member – Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality

 

(ix)       The Transport Committee appoint Members from the Committee as set out in Paragraph 6.2;

 

 

(x)        Mersey Dee Alliance

 

Name

Representing

To be confirmed

LCR Combined Authority

 

(xi)       European Structural and Investment Fund Committee

 

Name

Representing

Councillor J Williamson

Inclusive Economy and Third Sector Portfolio Holder

 

(xii)     North West Regional Leaders Board

 

Name

Representing

Metro Mayor S Rotheram

LCR Combined Authority

Councillor D Baines

Leader of St Helens MBC

Councillor G Morgan

Leader of Knowsley MBC

 

(xiii)    North West Employers Organisation

         

Name

Representing

Councillor C Thomas

Deputy Portfolio Holder, Policy, Reform and Resources, LCR Combined Authority

 

(xiv)   short reports be provided on the activities and work of outside bodies for inclusion or otherwise as appropriate on the Combined Authority agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjournment

The Annual Meeting of the Combined Authority adjourned at 12.12pm and reconvened at 1.30pm to consider the items of business on the agenda.

Additional documents:

8.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

 

LCR Combined Authority

Mayor Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool City Council and Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills and Equality and Diversity

Councillor Janette Williamson, Leader of Wirral Council and Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector

 

Associate Member

Councillor Russ Bowden, Leader of Warrington Council

Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Council

 

Deputy Portfolio Holders

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Digital Connectivity and Inclusion

Councillor Trish Hardy, Housing and Spatial Planning

Councillor Shelley Powell, Culture, Tourism and the Visitor Economy

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Inclusive Economy and Third Sector

Councillor Marion Atkinson

 

9.

Declarations of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

10.

Minutes of the meeting of the LCR Combined Authority held on 29 April 2022 pdf icon PDF 269 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the LCR Combined Authority held on 29 April 2022 were received and agreed as a correct record.

11.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Announcements and Updates

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Metro Mayor explained that the previous week had been dominated by the fallout from the Champions League Final in Paris and spoke about the events off the pitch. He referred to the video footage which showed the chaotic scenes outside the stadium, which had been caused by poor policing and stewardship. Supporters had been directed into routes which ended abruptly and caused unnecessary pinch-points. Furthermore, at the perimeter of the ground, supporters had pepper spray and tear gas sprayed at them.

 

The Metro Mayor advised Members that he was working with Liverpool Football Club, MP’s and the Supporters Union to follow up with UFEA and the French Government’ Furthermore, he had appeared before the French Senate Committee and had expressed his concerns about how matters were handled off the pitch.

 

Metro Mayor Rotheram referred to the disruption which had been caused to large numbers of passengers following the cancellation of several Merseyrail services on the Kirkby and New Brighton line. He explained that these cancellations were due to a series of unexpected faults on the old fleet. He offered his sincere apologies to those residents who had been affected by the disruption and explained that urgent repairs would be carried out and it was hoped that the situation would return to normal in the coming weeks. He noted that this disruption demonstrated the importance of having the new rolling stock in service this year.

 

Metro Mayor Rotheram explained that the Combined Authority held two crucial summits during May, one focused on the mental health in a post covid work and the other focussed on active travel in the City Region.

 

He explained that both were extremely well attended and took the opportunity to thank all staff who had been involved in the organisation of the events. Furthermore, at the Active Travel summit it was announced that the Combined Authority would be providing an additional £12m into walking and cycling across the City Region, which would ensure that the 600km loop became a reality.

 

In conclusion, the Metro Mayor explained that he had undertaken a number of visits across the City Region and they included:

 

·       A visit Southport to speak to local residents;

·       Viewed the digital loop project in Kirkby;

·       Visited New Brighton along with Councillor Williamson to discuss potential investment opportunities in the area.

12.

Delivering the Liverpool City Region's Vision for Bus pdf icon PDF 328 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director Place and the Portfolio Holder: Transport and Air Quality.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director Place and Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality which set out the City Region’s significant level of ambition for the regions bus offer as part of the delivery of a London-style transport system.

 

Councillor L Robinson, Chair of the Transport Committee (2021-22), emphasised the importance of the bus network to the City Region. He explained that the Combined Authority had submitted an ambitious funding request to the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and it had recently been announced that the Combined Authority would receive an allocation of £12,294,398. He expressed his disappointment at this allocation and emphasised that work would continue to secure further funding from Government to support the Combined Authority’s ambitions for Bus in the region.

 

With regards to the BSIP funding allocation, Councillor Robinson reported that the proposed initiative would be to improve affordability and simplicity of bus fares for an initial period of up to three years by reducing the single bus fare to £2 across all bus services in the region.  Furthermore, the price of the My Ticket would be frozen to £2.20 and the funding would also seek to support the delivery of ‘tap-and-go’. In conclusion, Councillor Robinson explained that by reducing the flat fare, this would also reduce the fare for travelling by bus through the Mersey Tunnels.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)              the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority restates its full endorsement and support for the LCR’s Vision for Bus and the projects that make up the region’s BSIP, including the use of powers available to Local Authorities to prioritise buses on the LCR’s road network in line with the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement;

 

(ii)             the acceptance of BSIP revenue funding expected to be £12,294,398 be accepted;

 

(iii)           the allocation of the majority of the government’s indicative BSIP allocation on initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel across the region as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 be approved;

 

(iv)           BSIP proposals including a reduction in the cost of bus season tickets, enhancing the network, increasing the number of zero emission buses in the region and developing Bus Rapid Transit schemes cannot be taken forward at this stage due to a lack of funding from government; and

 

(v)            Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director Place (Director General Merseytravel) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality, to finalise and submit any further documentation required by the BSIP process. 

13.

Housing Update pdf icon PDF 174 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder Housing and Spatial Planning.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Spatial Planning and Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy which sought approval to accept up to £4.51m in European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).

 

Councillor Graham Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning, advised Members that the existing retrofit programmes were already improving energy efficiency in homes across the City Region and this was supporting households against the rising energy costs and helping to tackle fuel poverty. Councillor Morgan explained that by continuing to work in partnership with social landlords across the City Region, the programme could be extended further. However, he stressed that there were challenging timescales associated with the funding which would require the Combined Authority, Local Authorities and partners to work at pace to ensure delivery.

 

Councillor Morgan explained that the report also provided an update on the delivery against the Brownfield Land Fund, which was the City Region’s first devolved fund specifically for housing. He welcomed the progress which had been made to date, which had resulted in plans for almost 2,000 quality homes for residents. However, he expressed his frustration with Government and how, if greater flexibility over funding was available, more could be achieved.

 

Councillor David Baines, Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy, welcomed the receipt of the additional £4.5m ERDF funding. Councillor Baines explained that the funding would support the Net Zero Carbon agenda by improving the energy efficiency of up to 519 homes across the City Region. He paid tribute to the collaborative working between the Combined Authority, Local Authorities and four Registered Providers who had pooled resources to keep retrofit funding in the City Region. In conclusion, Councillor Baines explained that this was the fourth round of retrofit funding over the last 12 months and brought the total grant aid to almost £60m. However, he emphasised that further funding was required, and he would continue to pursue this.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          £4.51m ERDF funds to deliver the Retrofit for the Future programme with Registered Providers by June 2023 be accepted;

 

(ii)         Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer to enter into legal arrangements with Sefton Council to ensure effective delivery of housing retrofit priorities using this additional ERDF funding;

 

(iii)       Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer, and the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Spatial Planning and Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy, to enter into Funding Agreements with Registered Providers to enable tight deadlines to be met in spending this funding;

 

(iv)       The increase in gap funding expenditure on the Lickers Lane project be approved and delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning to approve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Rough Sleeping Funding and Investment in Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme Round 2 pdf icon PDF 206 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Spatial Planning and Climate Emergency and Renewable Energy.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning and the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery which sought approval for the acceptance and allocation of funding in respect of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme and the Resonance National Homelessness Property 2 Fund; the Trailblazer Service and Housing First Psychology Services.

 

Councillor Graham Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning, explained that over the last three years, the locally designed programmes had provided affordable, long-term accommodation to those who had experienced rough sleeping. This was secure accommodation which was providing targeted support to help people meet their long-term goals and ambitions.

 

Councillor Morgan stated that the report before Members, set out the Combined Authority’s plans on the allocations of funding from Government to extend the support for this programme for the next three years. Furthermore, the report also demonstrated how the £1.9m in additional funding from Government, the Resonance Social Impact Investment Fund and a contribution of £100,000 from the Combined Authority would be used to invest in properties specifically for females at risk of rough sleeping.  

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          up to £900,000 in capital funding from the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme be accepted;

(ii)         up to £261,189 in revenue funding from the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme be accepted;

(iii)       up to a maximum of £1,272,191.64 services for Trailblazers services from the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) 5 be accepted;

(iv)       up to a maximum of £351,000 for Housing First Psychology Services be accepted;

(v)        £100,000 be invested from SIF funding into the Resonance National Homeless Property Fund 2 as part of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme funding proposal, as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report be agreed;

(vi)       Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Monitoring Officer and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning to approve the award of a contract following a procurement process for the services element of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme and to approve any extensions of funding awarded by Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC);

(vii)     Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Monitoring Officer and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning to award the Contract for Trailblazer Services, following completion of a procurement process, to the successful bidder/service provider;

(viii)    Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Monitoring Officer to enter into Grant Agreements directly with the Local Authorities delivering the Trailblazer Services in the amounts as follows:

 

Halton Borough Council - £144,983.34

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council - £140,433.00

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council - £225,874.30

St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council - £257,977.00

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council - £238,407.00

 

(ix)       Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Requests for material changes to previously approved Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) Projects pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector and the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery which sought approval to process material change controls in respect of the following previously agreed Strategic Investment Fund projects:

 

·         Gerards Park, St Helens; and

·         Kirkby Town Centre, Knowsley.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          The material change, to the timescales associated with the Gerards Park Project as indicated in paragraph 3.6 be agreed;

 

(ii)         The allocation of £2.2m from the Strategic Investment Fund to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council for Phase 3 of the Kirkby Town Centre Project comprising improvements to the town centre multi-storey car park be approved. This represents the final instalment from the £15m provisional allocation approved by the Combined Authority for town centre improvements on 6 December 2019; and

 

(iii)       Delegated Authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Monitoring Officer to finalise the terms of the funding agreement with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council for Phase 3 of the Kirkby Town Centre Project.

16.

Strategic Investment Fund – Drawdown of remaining Future Innovation Fund monies to enable the delivery of the LCR High Growth Programme pdf icon PDF 235 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder Inclusive Economy and Third Sector and Executive Director of Investment and Delivery which sought approval to drawdown the final tranche of Future Innovation Fund (“FIF”) funding from the re-purposed Brexit Resilience Fund to allow a third call of the Fund to be opened for applications. Approval was also sought to adjust the terms of the FIF to allow the FIF funding allocation to be combined with CA approved (on 20 September 2021) allocation to the Growth Platform of £1m of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) High Growth Programme funding in order to increase the scale of the FIF under a new name, the “High Growth Innovation Fund”.

 

Dr Aileen Jones, Executive Director of Investment and Delivery, reported that the Future Innovation Fund was a pilot programme launched in 2020 to help businesses adapt and innovate. Two rounds had already been completed, which had supported 35 businesses across the city region with £2.1m in innovation grant funds.

 

Members were advised that as the Future Innovation Fund was a £3m programme, approval was sought to allocate the remaining £870,000 of previously approved SIF revenue funding, originally allocated to the Future Innovation Fund to the Growth Platform, as a delivery partner for the LCR High Growth Programme.

 

Approval was also sought to combine the funding with the previously approved European Regional Development Fund High Growth Programme funding to enhance the scale of the Future Innovation Fund, now titled the High Growth Innovation Fund. Through the LCR High Growth Programme, the Combined Authority had leveraged in £5.5m in ERDF funding into the City Region and this would ensure that businesses received the support and funding required for them to achieve their potential.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)              The allocation to the Growth Platform of the remainder of the previously approved £3,000,000 Future Innovation Fund allocation resulting in a release of £869,075 be approved;

 

(ii)             The combination of this funding with the previously approved European Regional Development Fund High Growth Programme funding to enhance the acle of the Future Innovation Fund project be approved; and

 

(iii)           Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and the Executive Director of Corporate Services, to finalise detailed funding terms and associated agreements for the Future Innovation Fund allocation at (i).

17.

Acceptance of Growth Hub Funding pdf icon PDF 211 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform and Resources.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform and Resources and the Executive Director of Corporate Services which advised on an expected funding award of £390,000 for the 2022/23 financial year from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) which was a continuation of funding to support the Liverpool City Region Growth Company delivering the “Growth Hub” programme.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          The award of up to £390,000 to the Liverpool City Region Growth Company, via the Liverpool City Region as its accountable body, to support the ‘Growth Hub’ programme across the Liverpool City Region be noted; and

 

(ii)         This funding be transferred to the Liverpool City Region Growth Company to enable it to deliver the measures set out within the offer letter.

18.

Combined Authority Policy Framework 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 452 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Policy, Strategy and Government Relations and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform and Resources.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform and Resources and the Executive Director of Policy, Strategy and Government Relations which provided an overview of the Combined Authority policy framework which sets the policy and strategic context for its activities – both internal and external. The report provided details of key policies and strategies approved by the Combined Authority in the 2021-22 municipal year.

 

The report also advised that the Combined Authority’s policy framework consisted of both key policy and strategy documents approved by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority over the previous municipal year and those policy and strategy documents approved since 2017 (when the Combined Authority became a Mayoral Combined Authority) which remained in force. The schedule of these latter policy documents is set out in Appendix 1 of this report.

 

RESOLVED – That the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority notes and

reaffirms its agreement to the contents of this report and Appendix 1.

 

19.

Independent Remuneration Panel - Metro Mayor Remuneration 2022-24 pdf icon PDF 232 KB

To consider the report of the Independent Renumeration Panel.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Metro Mayor advised the Combined Authority that as this item dealt with the remuneration for the position he held, he would be withdrawing from the Chamber whilst the item was considered.

 

In the absence of The Deputy Metro Mayor, the Monitoring Officer sought nominations for the appointment of Chairperson for this item. of the Combined Authority.

 

       It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher and seconded by Councillor Graham Morgan, and:

 

          RESOLVED – That Councillor David Baines be appointed Chairperson for this item of business.

 

Councillor David Baines

(in the Chair)

 

The LCR Combined Authority considered a report of Liverpool City Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel which proposed a level of remuneration for the Metro Mayor.

 

Jill Coule, Monitoring Officer, summarised the four recommendations which the Independent Remuneration Panel had proposed and highlighted the information they had considered to reach these recommendations.

 

Councillor Mike Wharton, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and the Visitor Economy asked for further information on who had undertaken the review.

 

Jill Coule explained that each Local Authority can establish their own Independent Remuneration Panel, however, the Combined Authority is required to use a Panel from one of the constituent Local Authorities. In 2017, Liverpool City Council’s Independent Remuneration panel undertook the review, therefore, they were approached again and had kindly agreed to undertake the review.

 

Councillor Jean Robinson, Substitute Member for Councillor Janette Williamson, Wirral MBC, sought clarity on the information the Panel considered to reach their recommendations.

 

Jill Coule advised Members that the Panel had met on three separate occasions and had been presented with a lot of written information. The written information explained the role, powers and evolutionary journey of the Combined Authority and the position of Metro Mayor since its inception in 2017. They had comparative information of each of the nine Mayoral Combined Authority’s and considered the outcome of the Combined Authority’s recent Independent Evaluation assessment. The Panel were also able to question the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer for further information.

 

Councillor Ian Maher, Portfolio Holder for Digital Connectivity and Inclusion, sought clarity on the rate of remuneration, should the Panel’s recommendations be approved.

 

Jill Coule informed Members that the rate of allowance would increase to £84,298 with immediate effect. It was explained that the review of the Metro Mayors Remuneration should have been held in 2020, however as a consequence of the pandemic, this had been postponed. Furthermore, it was proposed the remuneration be linked to the NJC and any subsequent increases would be in line with them.

 

Mr Asif Hamid MBE, Portfolio Holder for Business Support, expressed his shock at the position not benefiting from a pension scheme. He undertook to write to Central Government in support of recommendation (iv).

 

Councillor Graham Morgan sought confirmation on when the next review would take place.

 

Jill Coule advised that the next review would take place during the course of the next Mayoral term, which would be sometime after the election in May 2024.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(i)          The Metro Mayor’s current remuneration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Public Question Time

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.

 

For further guidance on the submission of public questions please click here.

 

All public questions for this meeting must be returned to either the email or postal address set out above by 5pm Monday 6 June 2022.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions submitted by members of the public

21.

Petitions and Statements

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.

 

For further guidance on the submission of petitions and statements please click here.

 

The single petition or statement for this meeting must be returned to either the email or postal address set out above by 5pm Monday 6 June 2022.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions or statements submitted by members of the public.

22.

Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on: pdf icon PDF 194 KB

3 November 2021

20 Janaury 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 3 November 2021 and 20 January 2022 were noted.

 

 

23.

Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on: pdf icon PDF 128 KB

28 July 2021

22 September 2021

24 November 2021

19 January 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The minutes of the meetings of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 28 July 2021, 22 September 2021, 24 November 2021 and 19 January 2022 were noted.

 

24.

Minutes of the Transport Committee held on: pdf icon PDF 233 KB

11 November 2021

13 January 2022

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of the Transport Committee held on 11 November 2021 and 13 January 2022 were noted.