Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that:

1)    the Democratic Services Officer be tasked with ensuring that valid Declaration of Interest forms be held on record for all Members of the Board.

2)    the Board receives an item on lessons learned and City Centre Masterplan at a future meeting (minutes 99 and 104 refers).

3)    the Board receives further updates on Lincoln Connected and the Barbican at its meeting in September 2024.

4)    the Board emails any comments on the Business Support Landscape and Communications items to the Growth Strategy and Funding Manager (minutes 100 and 103 refers).

Liam Scully, Chair of the Lincoln Town Deal Board, opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.

The Chair invited the Board to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the late Lord Patrick Cormack.

Apologies were absence were received from:

·       Angela Andrews

·       Tim Chambers

·       Councillor Richard Davies

·       Nicole Hilton (Will Mason was attending on her behalf as an observer)

·       Caroline Killeavy

·       Ursula Lidbetter

·       Karl McCartney MP

·       Karen Stanton

·       Edward Strange

·       Nick Worboys

·       Wing Commander Gary Donnelly

The Chair highlighted that this would be Councillor Ric Metcalfe’s last meeting at the Board before he retired from the City of Lincoln Council.  It was noted that Councillor Metcalfe was first elected as a councillor for Lincoln in 192 and had been Leader of the Council for more than twenty years,  Although retiring from his position as councillor, he would be continuing his work at the University of Lincoln as a lecturer for Social Policy. 

The Board took the opportunity to thank Councillor Metcalfe for his services to the City and the Board. 

There were no declarations of interest made at this point in proceedings.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Lincoln Town Deal Board held on 1 December 2023 be approved.

The Director for Development provided a verbal update on the work of the Investment Sub-Committee.

The Board received an update on Sincil Bank, where it was advised that the formal assurance review was now complete and had been reviewed by the Investment Sub-Committee members.  There had been no major changes from the previous assurance report and therefore the Board was invited to sign this off. 

It was advised that the Store of Stories had requested operational expansion support at Beaumont Manor, which would include the refurbishment of existing rooms for office, meeting room and storage facilities.  This would result in additional training outcomes and increased outputs from operation expansion.  The expected cost required was circa £28k.  It was proposed that this was vired from the Tentercroft Project, subject to the usual due-diligence checks being carried out.  This was supported by members of the Board, provided that the relevant due-diligence checks were conducted.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the update be noted.

(2)  That the Board approves the Investment Sub-Committee’s recommendation to accept the revised due diligence assurance report regarding Sincil Bank and to  progress the GFA.

(3)  That a Project Adjustment Request (PAR) be made to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the consideration to vire £28,000 from Tentercroft Project to Store of Stories project for additional outputs/outcomes, subject to necessary due-diligence being carried out.

The Growth Strategy and Funding Manager presented a report to the Board on the general programme progress covering the following main points:

·       Four projects were now complete at a total estimated cost of £11.9million, of which £8.2million was Town Fund supported.  The four projects were: Hospitality, Events, Arts and Tourism Institute; The Drill; The Store of Stories; and the Lincoln Central Market.

·       The Lincoln City Football Club Community Hub and the Barbican, with a total of £6.2million and Town Deal support to the value of £2.5million, were now on site and due to be completed within the next twelve months.

·       Lincoln Be Smarter and Lincoln Connected, with a total value of £4.23million and Town Deal support to the value of £2.77million, would be progressed over the rest of the programme.

·       Other projects, which were still in the delivery but not yet on site stage included: Greyfriars; Lincoln Science and Innovation Park; Tentercroft Street; The Wigford Way; and Sincil Bank.  It was anticipated Greyfriars would commence shortly.

·       Updates on all of the projects were contained within the report and further details on the projects were contained within Part B of the agenda.  It was confirmed progress for all projects would continue to be monitored on a quarterly basis. 

·       Most projects had a green RAG rating, two had an amber RAG rating at one had a red RAG rating.

·       The projected expenditure for each project was presented to the Board by way of a presentation slide.

Heather Frecklington of Focus-Consultants, presented the Lincoln Town Deal Evaluation Report to the Board, which was supported by a presentation.  

In response to questions and comments, the following points were noted:

·       The Lincoln Town Deal Board was roughly inline with other town deal boards across the country. 

·       It was queried how the Board could ensure only those companies who required the financial support received funding, rather than those who might be able to fund the project themselves. It was agreed this would be discussed outside of the meeting to obtain additional information and assurance.  However, it was confirmed the grant approval process does include an approval panel, which was managed by Lincoln University. 

RESOLVED that

1.    the verbal update be noted.

2.    the Board receives an item on lessons learned at a future meeting.

3.    the decision of the Board under Minute 97 above, be noted.

Charlotte Goy provided a presentation on the progress of Lincoln Connected, which would digitalise Lincoln’s visitor economy and high street by using new technology and creative place-making activities. The project was being lead by Destination Lincolnshire.

As reported previously to the Board, Lincoln Connected had four interventions to it, which together made the project.  The project had previously been subject to a project adjustment. However, it was now in the delivery phase with contracts signed.  Therefore, the presentation focused on the vision for Lincoln Connected but the tangible things that would be delivered by the project would not be visible until September / October 2024.  Therefore it was suggested a further updated was provided at this time.

In response to questions and comments, the following points were noted:

·       It was confirmed that Destination Lincolnshire worked with rail companies and for example, train times were included on the Visit Lincoln website. 

·       The Board was pleased with progress made to date and excited by the project’s vision.

RESOLVED

That a further update be provided in September / October 2024.

The Growth Strategy and Funding Manger provided a verbal update to the Board on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  The Part B report was detailed at pages 85 to 100 of the private agenda pack.  The rationale for the programme was split into three core pillars: community and place; supporting local business; and people and skills. 

The Growth Strategy and Funding Manager also referred to presentation slides, which detailed progress with Phase 1 projects and also proposed the following projects for Phase 2:

·       Ermine Hub

·       Moorland Hub

·       Belmont Street Community Hub and Bakery

·       Better Together Development Plus

·       Creative workspace at Beaumont Lodge – Creative Rebel and Project fashion fix

·       Age UK Support additional befriending and wrap around support service

·       Scale up Cost of living programme and Community Grant scheme

·       Lincoln College Air Source Heat Pump engineer re-training course

·       The network Capacity support for young people

RESOLVED that

1.    feedback on phase 1 progress and proposals for phase 2, as presented, be noted.

2.    the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities be formally requested to consider a project adjustment for the allocation of £238,663 for programme management costs (8.5% of programme costs).

The Growth Strategy and Funding Manager presented a report to the Board on Business Support Landscape, as detailed at pages 55-60 of the agenda pack.  The Board was asked to email The Growth Strategy and Funding Manager with any comments.

RESOLVED

That any comments on the report be emailed to the Growth Strategy and Funding Manager.

The Board was asked to email Gill Wilson (Growth Strategy and Funding Manager) with any comments on the content of the report.

RESOLVED that any comments on the content of the report be emailed to the Growth Strategy and Funding Manager.

The Director for Development provided the Board with a presentation on the re-writing of the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP), which covered the following:

·       Principles and policies of the CCMP

·       CCMP Vision

·       Intervention Sites of the CCMP

·       New CCMP – Progress

The Board was advised it would be invited to attend detailed workshops with key partners on key issues, challenges and changes with preparatory research.  This would consist of five days of activities, including walking tours, which would help shape the new CCMP.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the update be noted.

(2)  That a further update be provided at a future meeting.

The Board considered it’s forward plan for future meetings.

RESOLVED that an update on Lincoln Connected and the Barbican be provided at the meeting of the Board in September 2024.

There was no items raised under any other business.

Tuesday 21 May 2024 (2:00pm)

Date of Next Meeting: Friday, 7 June 2024 (10:00am)

You are asked to resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items because it is likely that if members of the press or public were present, there would be disclosure to them of 'exempt information'

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) of business because it is likely that if members 11 of the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Director for Major Developments updated the Board on the progress of projects and current risks associated with projects identified.

RESOLVED that

1.     the content of the update be noted, including those identified as amber and red RAG ratings.

2.     the Board to be involved in any ‘go or no go’ decisions, should they be required.

Minute 100 refers.