Agenda item - Update on Greater Brighton Investment Programme and Local Growth Fund

Report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board (copy attached).

That the Board note the report.

35.1      The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that provided a progress update on the Greater Brighton Investment Programme since the previous meeting on 31 January 2017. The report also provided an update on the Local Growth Fund (LGF) in relation to both the allocations made as part of round 3 of the Growth Deal and new bidding opportunities presented by the C2C LEP’s new six monthly call for growth projects financed from unallocated Growth Deal round 1 and 2 funds.

35.2      Councillor Parkin relayed to the Board that the redeveloped Town Hall in Adur would shortly be welcoming a new occupier thereby retaining 400 jobs in the area.

35.3      Councillor Morgan welcomed the near completion of the Construction Trades Centre and thanked the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College for their investment. Councillor Morgan noted that whilst investment in high tech and innovations sectors should be welcomed, the importance of practical skills to the employment sector was just as important.

35.4      Prof Humphris noted that the Advance Engineering Centre was close to completion and she hoped a future meeting of the Board could be held there.

35.5      Steve Allen noted that there would shortly be another call for applications for £11m of unallocated and £16m of allocated funding. Steve Allen congratulated the Board for its readiness and how quickly work was progressed.

35.6      RESOLVED- That the Board note the report.