Actions from the meeting: (21.04.20)
COVID-19 to be added as an item to future board meetings
HW
1
Welcome from the Chair
Doug Field (DF) welcomed everyone to the meeting
2
Apologies
Apologies were received from Tim Whitley.
3
Declarations of Interest
Full declarations of interest can be found at http://www.newanglia.co.uk/about-us/the-board.
None
4
Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting held on 25th March.
5
LEP Response to COVID-19
Chris Starkie (CS) presented the paper to the board noting that some programmes are still
ongoing and this work is covered in Item 8 on the agenda.
CS highlighted the work carried out to set up a database of PPE suppliers which has now
been made available to organisations looking to source PPE. Promotion of this is ongoing.
Work is also starting on a recovery plan to support the local economy in the short and longer
term including a specific group which has been established to focus on supporting the
tourism industry and the challenges it faces.
Andrew Proctor (AP) highlighted the importance of co-ordinating the different strands of the
tourism industry and CS confirmed that the Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) are
working with the LEP as part of this group.
Jeanette Wheeler (JW) noted that staff in construction want to be working again but may be
prevented from doing so due to issues in the supply chain and the LEP could play a role in
resolving these problems.
JW also suggested that Richard Ross has details of business angels are looking to provide
business consultancy and could be available to the Growth Hub.
Claire Cullens (CC) noted that they could also provide support to the Voluntary Sector.
John Griffiths (JG) asked for an update on the gaps identified in current funding and also on
other problems businesses are reporting.
CS confirmed that gaps in funding had been identified such as bed & breakfast owners
paying council tax rather than rates. The refusal of insurance companies to pay some
claims has also been an issue as well as queries over furloughing staff. These are being
escalated and some gaps are being plugged over time.
The meeting discussed the issues around the procurement of PPE.
The Board agreed:
• To note the content of the report
6
COVID-19 Business Reliance and Recovery Plan
Chris Dashper (CD) presented the new scheme with an initial budget of £3.5m providing
capital grant support for initial resilience and longer term recovery.
2
AP expressed his support for the proposal but noted the size of the fund. CS agreed that
this would not cover all requirements but felt that it complemented other existing LEP
programmes.
CD noted that other programmes continued and that if they did not spend all their funding
then further monies could be made available.
The meeting discussed potentially targeting the scheme at specific sectors and the issues
this created and the potential for offering more funding at a later date.
CS confirmed that discussions were ongoing with Government for approval to reallocate
funds from capital to revenue projects and to obtain further future funding.
DF proposed that the launch of the scheme would initiate enquiries which would help steer
any targeting in the future.
CD confirmed that, on approval the first payments can go out within 10-12 days.
The Board agreed:
• To note the content of the report
• To approve the new Business Resilience and Recovery scheme with an initial budget of
£3.5m
7
Board Member Recruitment
David Ellesmere (DE) reviewed the process which had been carried out to recruit a private
sector board member and a Chair and detailed the rationale behind the decision. He said
the panel was unanimous in its recommendations.
The Board agreed:
• To note the content of the report
• To endorse the appointment of C-J Green as private sector board member
8
LEP Continuing Business
DF proposed that any questions should be directed to Rosanne Wijnberg outside the meeting.
The Board agreed:
• To note the content of the report
9
Board Forward Plan
DF requested that COVID 19 is added as a standing item to the next few meetings.
ACTION: Board Forward Plan for be updated accordingly
HW
The Board agreed:
• To note the content of the plan
10
Any Other Business
DE noted that there is still a vacancy on the Investment Appraisal Committee and that a new
Chair also needs to be appointed.
3
