Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Davies (Lincolnshire County Council); Nicole Hilton (Lincolnshire County Council); Group Captain Steve Kilvington (RAF Waddington); Ursula Lidbetter (Lincolnshire Co-operative); and Nick Worboys (Longhurst).

It was noted that Will Mason was attending the meeting on behalf of Nicole Hilton of Lincolnshire County Council.

It was reported that Mr Marc Jones (Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner) had resigned from the Lincoln Town Deal Board with immediate effect.  The Chief Executive of the accountable body would seek feedback from him on his time as a member of the Board. 

The Board noted its thanks to Marc Jones for his valuable contribution at meetings. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and note the letter and accompanying documents, which set out the proposed Town Deal Programme for Lincoln, in accordance with the Heads of Terms Offer and Stage 2 Guidance)

A letter and accompanying documents were presented by Jo Walker (Assistant Director of Growth, City of Lincoln Council), which set out the proposed Town Deal Programme for Lincoln, in accordance with the Heads of Terms Offer and Stage 2 Guidance.

It was highlighted that the Lincoln Town Deal Programme included thirteen projects, as selected by the Lincoln Town Deal Board at its meeting on 10 May 2021 to fit within the funding envelope of £19 million.  Following the Board’s decision on the selection, the relevant documents had been submitted to the Government in accordance with the Heads of Terms Offer and Stage 2 Guidance.  Formal feedback had not yet been received from the Government. The programme leads had been kept informed of progress and the selected projects had been invited to commence developing full business cases ready for submission. 

Mick Lazarus, the representative of the Cities and Local Growth Unit at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Standards and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, advised that it was hoped all town deal board submissions would be reviewed within approximately three weeks.  Once reviewed and subject to the Government being content with the submission, confirmation would be received.  If there were any areas requiring clarification during the review period, this would be sought from the accountable body.  It was confirmed there would be no unnecessary delays in the process.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.

-       Overview and Milestones;

-       Town Deal Board – Role and Review of Membership Structure;

-       Investment Sub-Committee – Role, Review and Membership Structure and Election of Members and Chair.

The Board received a presentation by Jo Walker (Assistant Director of Growth, City of Lincoln Council) on the future arrangements for the Lincoln Town Deal Board, which covered the following areas:

• Final Project Selection – Outline;
• Process – Business Case Development and Approvals;
• Proposed Timeline – next twelve months;
• Roles and Responsibilities of the Town Deal Board; Investment Sub-Committee; Delivery Board; and the accountable body;
• Key Points;
• Current Board Structure; and
• Investment Sub-Committee and Terms of Reference.

During the presentation, the following points were noted:

• It was proposed that the Lincoln Town Deal Board would retain oversight of the programme, with the Investment Sub-Committee being responsible for the approval of final project business cases in partnership with the Accountable Body, with each business case being subject to an independent due diligence process.  The Delivery Board would continue to meet as required to bring together lead partners to co-ordinate the development of business cases and project delivery.
• Nominations to sit on the Investment Sub-Committee, which would consist of eight members, would be sought.  It was advised that the secretariat to the Board would email members of the Board inviting nominations.  Meetings of the Investment Sub-Committee would be held monthly, beginning in August 2021. 
• Meetings of the Lincoln Town Deal would be held quarterly, commencing in September 2021.
• The membership of the Board was discussed and it was suggested that consideration be given to whether there were any gaps in the membership and to email the Board’s secretariat with any suggestions.  It was also suggested that a skills audit be completed by all members of the Board and returned to the Secretariat.
• It was reiterated that the programme leads of the selected projects had been invited to commence developing full business cases ready for submission.  The deadline for submission of business cases to the Accountable Body was 31 December 2021.
• Final deadline for approval / submission of full business cases to the Government was 22 March 2022.  Full business cases could be submitted for approval, as and when ready, to the proposed Investment Sub-Committee.
• It was emphasised that the responsibility for the development and drafting of the final business case would sit with the lead partner for the project in each case.  However, the City of Lincoln Council would work with project leads to provide expert support where possible, subject to available funding.
• Independent due diligence would be undertaken on all business cases to support the City of Lincoln Council and the Investment Sub-Committee in its decision making.
• In response to a question relating to the completion dates for the projects, it was advised that the overall programme covered 2025/26. However, there would be some projects delivered before this time, with some early delivery from 2022 onwards. It was agreed the Board would receive an update at the next meeting on when each individual project would commence and target completion dates.

The Board was advised in response to a question by Gary Headland, that it was proposed by the Accountable Body that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

-       Investment Sub-Committee

-       Town Deal Board

Further to Minute 4, it was reiterated that the frequency of the meetings for the Investment Sub-Committee would be monthly, with the first meeting scheduled for August 2021.

Meetings of the Lincoln Town Deal Board would be held quarterly, with the next meeting in September 2021.  The date and time was to be confirmed.