Greater Brighton Economic Board
10.00am 20 July 2021
Virtual Meeting
MINUTES
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Present: Councillor Lamb (Chair) Allcock, Ash-Edwards, Humphreys, Gunner, Nicholson, Mac Cafferty and Parkin
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Business Partners:
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PART ONE
Ratification of Chair
Natalie Brahma-Pearl read the following statement:
“At its meeting on 27 April 2020, the Board agreed to a number of recommendations as to its Operating Principles, one being the process by which the Chair of the Board would be nominated for the 2021/22 term. Since the previous meeting, a confidential nomination and voting process was undertaken in accordance with that agreement Councillor Lamb was nominated by fellow Board Members to the role of Chair of the Board for the 2021/22 municipal year”.
The Board unanimously agreed to appoint Councillor Lamb as Chair of the Board for the 2021/22 municipal year.
Procedural Business
2a Declarations of substitutes
There were none.
2b Declarations of interests
2.3 There were none.
2c Exclusion of the press and public
2.4 In accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Board considered whether the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item of business on the grounds that it is likely in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during it, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act.
2.5 RESOLVED- That the press and public not be excluded.
Minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 April 2021 be approved as the correct record.
Chair's Communications
The Chair thanked fellow members of the Board for being given opportunity to become Chair for 2021/22 that would give opportunity to refocus ahead of what would be a serious economic challege to the Region in the course of the coming years. The Chiar stated that one of his aims was to refocus on delivery of projects such as decarbonising the region’s housing stock.
Crawley Recovery Focus
The Board received a presentation from Clem Smith on the Crawley Recovery Focus.
Greater Brighton Recovery: Where Next?
The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that requested the Board commissions rapid, research by consultants as a snapshot of the City Region economy as it emerges from the pandemic, to outline the shape of recovery and identify stress points and agreement for the Greater Brighton Programme Board to lead on the work of re-focussing the purpose and ambition of the partnership using the findings of the updated report.
Multiple Board Members proposed bringing forward an update report in October 2021 rather than February 2022 due to the urgency of the matter.
Geoff Raw noted that research was required to put forward bids for investment to government and obtain private sector investment in what was a competitive market.
Max Woodford confirmed a report could be brought to the next meeting or at the very least detailed feedback.
RESOLVED-
That the Board commissions updated and rapid, research by consultants as a snapshot of the City Region economy as it emerges from the pandemic, to outline the shape of recovery and identify stress points.
That the Board agrees for the Greater Brighton Programme Board to lead on the work of re-focussing the purpose and ambition of the partnership using the findings of the updated report.
That a report outlining how partners can pool resources and work collectively to deliver outcomes that benefit all members goes to the 1st February 2022 Economic Board meeting.
Low Carbon Economy Blue/Green Print
The Board considered a report o the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that sought agreement for the development and production of a net-zero innovation led economy Investment Plan (Blue/Green Print) to use as a lobbying tool. Approval that the Board attend, support and promote the events taking place across the region in the lead up to COP26 this November in Glasgow and that the Board tasks officers to look at working with other regional partners to host a Greater Brighton led Climate Summit in October 2021 to showcase the work and current aspirations happening within the region as part of the preparation for the road to Cop26.
Geoff Raw noted that attendance at COP26 and hosting a summit would give the opportunity for alignment and make a case for significant investment opportunities.
Councillor Mac Cafferty welcomed the report that built on a lot of good work that had previously been undertaken and addressed the potential opportunity in dealing with the serious and pressing problem of global warming.
Andrew Swayne stated his support for the report and highlighted that projects and initiatives relating to a green economy was a very strong USP for the Region.
Councillor Nicholson welcomed the report stating that a strategic vision for a green economy was intrinsically linked to the economic recovery of the Region.
Councillor Humphreys stated that he was apprehensive that hosting and attending a summit would be a big effort for little gain however, he had been assured by the comments made by Geoff Raw as well as endorsement of the report by other Board Members.
Councillor Gunner stated that he was supportive of the first two recommendations however, he had some concern that no financial figures were detailed in the report and no quantifiable measures of success.
Councillor Allcock stated that he endorsed the report that was progressive and responsible, and he was sure that officers would reflect on the comments made.
Nick Hibberd stated that the Region needed to attract investment and the report covered areas where the tangible benefit would be attracting investment for a pipeline of projects.
Geoff Raw noted that the timetable for the summit was tight however, a lot of the initial work had already been undertaken and the logistics of the event would not be as demanding as a summit attended in person. A draft agenda for the summit could be circulated to the Board and Brighton & Hove City Council would be meeting most of the cost of hosting the event.
Councillor Parkin and the Chair thanked Geoff Raw for his comments that had provided assurance.
RESOLVED-
That the Board agree to the development and production of a net-zero innovation led economy Investment Plan (Blue/Green Print) to use as a lobbying tool. This investment plan will outline the region’s investment requirements to be leaders in the UK’s green industrial revolution and transition to net zero.
That the Board attend, support and promote the events taking place across the region in the lead up to COP26 this November in Glasgow.
That the Board tasks officers to look at working with other regional partners to host a Greater Brighton led Climate Summit in October 2021 to showcase the work and current aspirations happening within the region as part of the preparation for the road to Cop26. This showcase could demonstrate the benefits of partner collaboration enhancing our collective action to address the climate crisis whilst promoting economic recovery.
Creation of a Greater Brighton Retrofit Task Force
The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that sought approval for the establishment a Greater Brighton City Region Retrofit Task Force to ensure the city-region’s homes and buildings are fit for a zero-carbon future. This work will be overseen by Lewes District Council and led by the University of Brighton.
The Chair stated that Crawley had undertaken some work in this area and were happy to share that and assist with work going forward.
Councillor Allcock welcomed the report and asked if locally based suppliers and people could be appointed to undertake the work and what thoughts had been given into bring private landlords into the scheme.
Ian Fitzpatrick confirmed that the community wealth building would be a central part of the project delivery and there were methods to bring in the private sector such as offering parts and materials at the same cost as the public sector price.
Councillor Nicholson welcomed the report that was the starting point toward a much bigger ambition. A key factor in the success of the scheme would be collective working, local training and skills development and boosting local supply chains.
RESOLVED-
That the Board expresses support of working together on a city region wide project, led by Lewes District Council and the University of Brighton, to find the best solutions in the decarbonisation of council owned housing stock. The board acknowledges that this agreement is in principle whilst some of the detail continues to be worked through noting that local authority members will need to approve to proceed through their own processes.
The Board agrees for the regional Task Force to be established at speed and delegates the authority for this group to lead on the work.
The Board agrees that the governance arrangements for the Task Force are that it reports back on emerging findings to the Greater Brighton Economic Board in April 2022, with the completed Asset Management Plan and Roadmap in October 2022.
Greater Brighton Food Plan
The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that requested approval to begin the scoping work for a Greater Brighton Food Plan focussed on building resilience and integrating innovations.
RESOLVED-
That the Board agree to begin the scoping work for a Greater Brighton Food Plan focussed on building resilience and integrating innovations. This scoping work will involve time commitments from relevant officers and employees.
That the Board agree for the scoping work to commence and, subject to the findings being positive, that officers take forward the preparation of a food plan and present the plan for consideration and approval by the Board in April 2022.
Greater Brighton Investment Programme
RESOLVED- That the Board note the report and the Investment Programme Update at Appendix 1.
The meeting concluded at 12.05pm
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Signed
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