GREATER BRIGHTON ECONOMIC BOARD
10am 16 OCTOBER 2024
QEII MEETING ROOM, THE SHOREHAM CENTRE
MINUTES
Present:
Councillors: Bella Sankey (Chair), Sophie Cox,
Jeremy Gardner, Ty Goddard,
Francis Mitchell, Natasha Bridge, Andy Hill, Rachael Harding, Peter
Sharp
Catherine Howe, Sophie Cox, Jess Gibbons, Andrew Swayne, Debbie
Keeley, Dean Orgill, Carl Roberts, Martin Lewry, Amy Galea, Sue
Bannister, Ian Fitzpatrick,
PART ONE
6 – Procedural Business
Apologies: Zoe Nicholson, Michael Jones,
Robert Eggleston
a)
Declaration of Substitutes
There were no substitutes
b)
Declarations of Interests
There were no interests declared.
c) Exclusion of press and public
There were no Part Two items,
therefore the press and public were not excluded.
7 – Minutes of the Previous Meeting
7.1
The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as correct
record.
8 – Chair’s Communications
8.1 Councillor Sankey
shared the following communications:
8.2 Our board launched the Sussex energy mission in July. It was so positive to see so many organizations from right across Sussex at that event, which, obviously came straight after our board meeting of July, and committing their support to our ambition for Sussex to be energy neutral by 2040.
8.3 The paper presented to
the board today outlines the progress made since that launch and
sets out the next steps required to take this really crucial
program of work forward, and I look forward to discussing it
further this morning.
8.4 Also, on our agenda
today, NHS Sussex ICB are one of the many wider stakeholders that
have helped shape our Sussex energy mission so far. However, whilst
their support and commitment to this work will continue, the ICB
are keen to more formally support the work of this board. To that
ends they wrote to me in my capacity as chair to request that they
become a formal member of the business partnership. The paper for
consideration today sets out the rationale for the ICB joining the
board and Amy Galea and Dominic Emmet are here to present to us
later on this morning.
8.5 The paper on
devolution sets out what has occurred in the devolution space since
we last met in July. I think it's fair to say that broad consensus
is that in line with other areas that have already had a devolution
settlement in this country, The government's renewed commitments to
devolution presents an opportunity for our region. We all
understand and agree that there is a need to move forwards, or risk
being left behind. The initial conversations that have taken place
across Sussex are about how best to explore that opportunity.
There is an understanding that we need to know more from government
around their vision for devolution in England, and so we're very
much looking forward to seeing a revised framework for devolution
and a movement towards the devolution bill and hopefully we'll see
more information from government before the end of this year.
8.6 In July, the board
agreed to contribute towards the costs of the living coast
biosphere developing its new ten-year strategy and applying to
UNESCO for redesignation for 2024-34. The living coast has
been in existence since 2014, and every 10 years UNESCO requires
biospheres to take stock of the work that has been delivered,
consult all local stakeholders to shape in future strategy and
apply for official renewal of the designation. Associated with
redesignation includes consultancy fees and activities such as
research, stakeholder engagement and communications. Biospheres
receive no funding from UNESCO or national government, so this
funding for the crucial work was sought from our partner bodies and
other strategic stakeholders.
8.7 The final papers, including the forward looking 10-year plan was submitted last month in accordance with the hard deadline set by UNESCO, and we optimistically await the outcome, which is due in early 2025.
8.8 One final note from me before we get going and that is about the fact that our board support team have been working with colleagues in the department for business and trade to arrange a two-day visit for this region for their tech investment team. The tech investment team work with overseas investors to attract inward investment into the UK. This visit is scheduled for the 6th and 7th of November, and I believe it's a great opportunity for us to showcase why this region is such a fantastic place for businesses, particularly tech businesses. The tech team’s key technology of interest include AI, quantum, cyber security, semiconductors and telecoms, and the agenda for the visit in November has been framed accordingly. The first day will be hosted by the University of Sussex, it will feature lab tours and introductions to a number of emerging technologies, including quantum. Colleagues working in the wider technology ecosystem will be using case studies to highlight the importance of the support mechanisms and wider networks in our area. There will then be a networking session where the tech team will be able to engage with business in the AI sector, and on the second day, the team will be visiting businesses in Shoreham and Littlehampton. I believe this is a really exciting opportunity for the members of this board to demonstrate to government and indeed foreign investors, the opportunities that exist in our region and how we are very much open for business. So, I really look forward to working with colleagues more on that project.
9 – GBEB Sussex Energy Update
9.1
Natasha Bridge introduced the report to the board.
9.2
Andrew Swayne commended the foundations of the report and drew
attention to additional challenges faced by the private and
privately owned housing sectors. Andrew Swayne stated that they had
been in conversation with Sussex Bay regarding carbon emissions
from ports in the County.
9.3
Sophie Cox outlined the importance of including stakeholders that
are not yet directly involved with the initiative.
9.4
The chair invited the board to vote on the report.
Vote
9.5 A vote was taken, and the board agreed the recommendations unanimously.
Resolved:
2.1 That the Board noted the progress on Sussex Energy since the launch.
2.2 That the Board supported the next steps
needed to take Sussex Energy forward:
Formalising a network of collaborators and working with them to
prepare a bid for funding to build capacity.
2.3 That the Board agreed to receive a further
update on Sussex Energy at the
March 2025 Board meeting.
10 – Admission of new member to the board
10.1
Andrew Hill introduced the report to the board.
10.2
Amy Galea of the ICB outlined the role of the ICB, highlighting a
commitment to improve outcomes of the population’s health,
tackling inequalities, enhancing productivity & value for
money, and supporting social and economic development.
10.3
Members of the board welcomed the ICB and stated their beliefs that
the ICB would form a core component of the Greater Brighton
Economic Board.
10.4
The chair invited the board to vote on the report.
Vote
10.5 A vote was taken, and the board agreed the recommendations unanimously.
Resolved:
2.1 That the Board agreed to formally invite
the NHS Sussex ICB to become a constituent member of the Board,
joining the GBBP subject to both their agreement and formal
ratification from the Board’s member organisations.
11 - Devolution
11.1
Andrew Hill introduced the report to the board.
11.2
Members of the board welcomed the report, expressed enthusiasm for
devolution in Sussex and suggested areas of specific focus
including travel and road improvements on the A27. There was broad
consensus of a pan-Sussex devolution deal, rather than merging with
other counties.
11.3
The chair invited the board to vote on the report.
Vote
11.4 A vote was taken, and the board agreed the recommendations unanimously.
Resolved:
2.1 That the Board notes the EOI that has been submitted to Government by Brighton & Hove City Council.
2.2 That the Board notes that East Sussex
County Council and West Sussex County
Council have also submitted EOIs to the Secretary of State.