Actions from the meeting: (27.1.21)

2021 LEP Strategic Priorities

Any comments on the strategic priorities to be submitted to CS & CJG

ALL

Strategic priorities slides to be circulated to the board

Chief Executive’s Report

An update on Ely Junction to be provided at the next board meeting

Welcome from the Chair

CJ Green (CJG) welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.

Presentation from Ian Whitehead, Lane Farm

CJG welcomed Ian Whitehead (IW), Rebecca Miles (RM) and Harry Youngson (HY) from Lane Farm

who provided the board with a presentation on their family run pig farm explaining that over the past

20 years they have diversified the business by setting up a cutting plant which had allowed them to

produce their own products and sell to local stores. IW explained that they then moved into cooking

and processing their pork and by bringing processing into a single building in 2019 allowing customers

to visit the site which resulted in larger orders.

The LEP’s agri-food grant will be used to purchase packaging machines allowing increased

productivity, reduced wrapping costs and allowing the use of recycled materials.

RM confirmed that a web site had been set up for the Suffolk Salami arm of the business which is

being used to test the processes and that this was doing well without promotion and that they would

look to expand this going forward.

The meeting discussed the impact of the pandemic which has reduced the demand from the

commercial food trade but noted that sales in local shops had increased.

CJG thanked them for the presentation and they left the meeting.

Apologies

Apologies were received from Dominic Keen.

Declarations of Interest

None

Actions/Minutes from the last Meeting

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting held on 25^th November 2020.

CJG reviewed the outstanding actions and Chris Starkie (CS) provided an update on the

sources of traffic on the web site vacancy board details of which will be circulated with the

minutes.

2021 LEP Strategic Priorities

CS provided the board with a presentation on the LEP’s key achievements of 2020 and the

strategic priorities for the year ahead.

CS highlighted 10 ways in which the LEP had supported local businesses during the

pandemic including the PPE database, the successes of partnership working and the

provision of grants in particular the Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme. It was also

noted that the LEP team had continued to deliver business as normal throughout its full

portfolio of programmes.

CS proposed the following priorities for 2021:

• Covid-19 Reponses & Recovery - continued practical support for business and support

during the recovery

• Clean Growth Region - driving forward the key elements of the Local Industrial Strategy

including establishing the Clean Growth Taskforce

• International Profile & Trade - working with the Department for International Trade and

other partners to promote the region, navigate any issues related to Brexit and take

advantage of new opportunities.

• Strengthening the LEP - securing future financing as programmes come to an end and

identifying funding from other areas.

The meeting discussed the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund details of which will be set out at

the budget in March.

CS also recommended a continuing focus on underpinning themes of inclusive growth,

innovation and digitalisation which will support all areas of work.

Claire Cullens (CC) noted that support for skills needed to be explicit in the objectives and the

meeting discussed the Skills White paper and the role of the Chambers of Commerce. CS

advised that he was meeting with both local chambers to discuss this further and would also

arrange a meeting with CC.

CS agreed to add an explicit reference to skills into the objectives

ACTIONS: Any comments on the strategic priorities to be submitted to CS & CJG

All

Strategic priorities slides to be circulated to the board

The Board agreed:

• To note the content of the presentation and agreed the priorities identified with the addition

of skills

Trade and Cooperation Agreement Between the EU and the UK

James Allen (JA) presented the board with a summary of the report on the Trade and

Cooperation Agreement struck between the EU and the UK detailing the contents of the deal,

potential implications for sectors, potential economic impact, emerging intelligence and LEP

activity.

The board discussed the potential impact on the economy of leaving the EU coupled with the

pandemic and current anecdotal evidence of issues.

CS advised the board that the presentation could be provided to partners and anyone

interested should contact him or JA.

The Board praised the quality of the report and presentation and agreed:

• To note the content of the report

Agri-Food Industry Council Report

Corrienne Peasgood (CP), chair of the Agri-food Council, presented the board with an update

on the work of the Agri-Food Industry Council and reviewed the key objectives:

• Supporting business recovery, promoting long term growth and ensuring business

resilience.

• Explore ways of attracting inward investment to increase the volume and value of food

processing within Norfolk & Suffolk.

• Collaborate with partners including Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

leveraging the existing strengths of Agri-TechE to realise the collective power as the UK

centre for hi-tech, precision agriculture and food production.

• Support the development of a Food Innovation Centre at the Food Enterprise Park at

Honingham Thorpe to deliver regional business growth through innovation, productivity,

processing and to support the further development of the wider Norwich Food Enterprise

Park.

• Develop a world-leading hub for plant and microbial research at the Norwich Research

Park.

• Understanding, supporting and developing the Clean Growth agenda for the agri-food

value chain.

• Enabling Growth in the New Anglia Agri-food sector through skills development.

CP highlighted some of the concerns which have been raised by businesses regarding the

UK leaving the EU and noted that the full impacts have not yet been seen.

Emma Taylor (ET) advised that the next Agri-food sector report will be issued shortly

providing feedback from council members, project updates and case studies.

Johnathan Reynolds (JR) asked if the council included aqua foods within its scope. CP

confirmed it did but this area would be expanded in the future.

The Board agreed:

• To note the content of the report

Chief Executive’s Report

CS highlighted key projects including the successful delivery of the Peer to Peer Network and

the announcement of a further round of funding to which the LEP will be submitting a bid.

Annual Performance Review - CS was pleased to confirm that Government’s preliminary

assessment was that all requirements have been met. The review meeting between

Government and the LEP team will take place on 28^th January.

Covid-19 Response - The LEP is also working with partners in Public Health teams to assist

in setting up Covid-19 testing programmes for businesses with less than 250 employees.

Andrew Proctor (AP) asked if the Peer to Peer network included the care sector. CS

confirmed that the network had been promoted to all sectors.

CS agreed with AP’s comment that progress on Ely Junction had been slow but that the

funding proved by the LEP and local authorities had moved the project onto the next stage.

It was agreed that an update would be provided for the next board meeting.

ACTION: An update on the Ely junction project to be provided at the February board meeting

JR asked how inward investment queries connected to the Industry Councils. CS noted that

this could be challenging given the confidential nature of the investment discussions, but it

would be possible to share some details.

The Board agreed:

• To note the content of the report

Connected Innovation

Julian Munson (JM) provided the board with an update on the LEP’s ‘Connected Innovation’

initiative which is being driven by the LEP’s Innovation Board and includes a new programme

to connect and promote Norfolk and Suffolk’s Innovation Hubs and the development of an

Innovation Prospectus. The prospectus is still undergoing amendments and will be circulated

to the Board on completion.

The two year project will provide a more collaborative approach to innovation across the

region and will also support cross sector innovation.

JR expressed thanks to both local authorities for their support and noted the success of

pulling together the innovation hubs and the opportunities which this provides.

The Board agreed:

• To note the content of the report

New Anglia Capital Report - Confidential

Chris Dashper (CD) presented the report noting the change in format and advised that this

was still being reviewed and amended.

The Board agreed:

• To note the content of the report

January Performance Reports

Rosanne Wijnberg (RW) presented the reports to the Board and highlighted key items.

Growth Programme - the Small Grants Programme runs until September 2021 and further

funding was being investigated.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February2021

Agenda Item 6

Energy Sector Recovery and Resilience Plan

Authors: Julian Munson/Katie Snell Presenter: Julian Munson

Summary

This paper provides an update on the production of a Sector Recovery and Resilience Plan

for the energy sector developed by New Anglia LEP with All Energy Industry Council

partners.

Background

Norfolk and Suffolk is fast becoming the UK’s epicentre for energy generation and systems

integration with a unique mix of onshore and offshore renewables, gas, nuclear and

hydrogen and is experiencing significant levels of investment, particularly in the offshore

wind sector.

The All-Energy Industry Council (AEIC) recognises the strategic importance and value of the

energy sector as identified in the draft Local Industry Strategy. The AEIC is one of three

Industry Councils, established as strategic public/private sector partnerships to provide a

focus for decision making and leadership in the high value sectors for Norfolk and Suffolk.

The AEIC acts as the LEP’s sector group for energy and provides the strategic direction in

delivering the aspiration to be recognised as the UK’s All Energy Region.

The impact of Covid19 has been significant on some parts of the sector, particularly with

regards to delays with operational contracts impacting on supply chains and furloughing of

staff. There have also been delays reported with respect to approvals from Government for

major offshore projects. To this extent the AEIC has developed a recovery plan for the

sector which not only identifies the key challenges but also the significant opportunities and

major interventions that are being planned or considered to help with economic recovery and

to enhance resilience within the sector.

The Recovery and Resilience plan for Norfolk and Suffolk’s energy sector will support a

range of priorities and interventions to drive growth, investment and innovation, strengthen

the supply chain and boost sustainable employment in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Energy Sector Recovery and Resilience Plan

The Energy Recovery and Resilience Plan has been produced with the support of an Energy

Recovery Task and Finish Group which was made up of selected members from the All-

Energy Industry Council including Local Authority partners and chaired by the LEP’s Head of

Enterprise Zones and Innovation. The LEP Board has endorsed this work as referenced in

the October 2020 LEP Board Meeting discussion on the AEIC.

The plan sets out how the energy sector within Norfolk and Suffolk can support economic

recovery from Covid-19 in a way which helps to achieve Net Zero. It further supports the

Five Foundations of Productivity (Business Environment, Place, ideas, Infrastructure and

People) and the Grand Challenges aligning to the Local Industrial Strategy and Economic

Strategy.

It acknowledges the Government’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the

Energy White Paper which were recently published, making it clear that the energy sector

will provide jobs and boost growth, while strengthening the resilience of energy systems and

making energy more affordable, thereby supporting broad economic activity and jobs in all

parts of the economy. Reference to the Government’s energy Sector Deals and the North

Sea Transmission Deal have also been included.

Importantly, it includes current projects and investments within the region of Norfolk and

Suffolk and looks to the medium-long term with several interventions planned. It highlights

the unique mix of energy both onshore and offshore as well as statistics based on GVA,

capital investment, power and job generation which help to set the scene.

The plan is important as improved energy sector resilience and reliability would greatly

reduce economic losses and lost labour hours. Investment in energy is also needed to

develop more sustainable systems, speed up clean energy transitions and reduce emissions

in pursuit of the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Collectively the sector has major long-term investors in the economy providing vital

infrastructure, high skilled jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities. The plan

highlights how the region of Norfolk and Suffolk is exceptionally well positioned to play its

part in the goal to recovery with clear actions to take forward.

Lastly, we have included some clear asks to Government presenting an opportunity for

Norfolk and Suffolk to play an important lead role in delivering the UK’s Green Industrial

Revolution.

Planned Interventions

A range of interventions and planned actions are highlighted within the plan. Examples

include;

 Launching a new branding and marketing campaign to consolidate the region’s

position as a world leader in energy to maximise visibility to Government and

investors

 Enhancing supply chain programme activity to create contract opportunities for local

businesses from the emerging offshore wind and nuclear new build opportunities

 Researching and progressing emerging opportunities for hydrogen production and

innovation in Norfolk and Suffolk

 Supporting skills development programmes to maximise job opportunities in the

energy sector

Recommendation

Endorse the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Norfolk and Suffolk’s energy sector

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 10

Norfolk and Suffolk Transport Board Update

Author: Ellen Goodwin

Presenter: Steve Oliver, Ellen Goodwin

Summary

This paper provides an update on the Transport Board, a sub-group of New Anglia LEP.

Recommendations

The Board is invited to:

 Note the contents of the paper, sub-board report (appendix A) and the overview

presented at the meeting;

 Note the update provided on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement programme

(Appendix B) and

 Agree in principle to the broadening of scope for the Transport Board to include clean

growth and its necessary connected elements i.e. energy and digital networks.

Background

The Transport Board was established in its current form after the abolishment of the Local

Transport Body and Board in November 2018 with the high-level objective of implementing

the Integrated Transport Strategy.

Its current terms of reference, due to be reviewed in March 2021 state that the Board’s

expected outcomes are as follows:

 A reliable, resilient and integrated transport network with improved capacity and

journey times, providing good connectivity both within and around Norfolk and

Suffolk, and to other UK, European and worldwide destinations;

 A Delivery Plan for the Integrated Transport Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk, current

and valued by transport bodies; and

 Central government understanding of the transport infrastructure needs and priorities

of Norfolk and Suffolk businesses and residents to support inward investment and

growth.

Transport East

Since its inception in late 2017 Transport East, the Sub-National Transport Board for Norfolk,

Suffolk, Essex, Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock has grown in strength and influence

significantly. It is currently developing its own Transport Strategy along similar themes to

that identified locally. New Anglia LEP is a member of Transport East.

Transport Board Objectives

The Integrated Transport Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk was adopted in May 2018 and

highlighted four key areas for intervention which are laid out below alongside the equivalent

priorities for Transport East.

Integrated Transport Strategy

Transport East

Connecting

Quicker, more reliable and

Global

Better connected ports

the East,

resilient strategic connections

Gateways

and airports to help UK

Accessing

to boost our contribution to UK

businesses thrive.

the World

plc, encouraging improved

Boosting the nation’s

perceptions, economic

economy through greater

participation and inward

access to international

investment for our key sectors

markets and Foreign

and competitive clusters

Direct Investment.

Regional

Keeping people and products

Multi-centred

Better links between our

Connectivit

moving in and around our

Connections

fastest growing places

y and our

Priority Places and Enterprise

and business clusters.

Priority

Zones through new investment,

This helps the area to

Places

placemaking, maintenance and

function as a coherent

an integrated public transport

economy and improves

network with opportunities for

productivity.

walking and cycling

Local and

Innovative on-demand transport

Energised

A reinvented, sustainable

Coastal

solutions and improvements to

Coastal

coast for the 21st

facilitate local sustainable

Communities

century. Supporting the

growth, walking and cycling,

growing importance of

recognising local

the energy generated

distinctiveness, and offering

along our coastline, as

access to services and

well as our fantastic

opportunities through digital

visitor experiences.

means

Agile to

Embracing new technologies

Decarbonisati

An evidence report on

Change

and digital connectivity to enable

this topic was

remote access to services and

commissioned and will

opportunities to facilitate

be used in the strategy

Mobility as a Service.

development work

currently underway.

New Anglia LEP will continue to work through Tran sport East to achieve the transport

ambitions for Norfolk and Suffolk. Given the clear alignment in priorities there is an

opportunity locally to broaden the scope of the Transport Board and use the platform that

Transport East has in order to achieve a wider set of objectives and avoid resource

repetition.

Delivery and key achievements to date

Accessing the World

Freeport East: A consortium of partners including the relevant local authorities from South

Suffolk and North Essex and New Anglia LEP have been working with officers from

Hutchison Ports to prepare and submit a case for Freeport status built around Felixstowe

and Harwich Ports. As part of the bid submitted to Government on 5 February three tax sites

and five parallel customs sites have been shortlisted. The case is built on innovation, trade

expansion, clean growth and regeneration. With the potential to generate up to 13,500

additional jobs over time the sponsors of the bid believe it represents a strong case for one

of the 10 Freeport designations available across the UK. The benefits Freeports will enjoy

flexible tariff structures, simplified customs processes, additional funding for infrastructure

upgrades, and tax measures as an incentive for investment. The two ports unrivalled

connections with Europe and the Far East and transport /freight links with the UK’s Midland

Engine make it ideally placed to benefit for the new opportunities that Freeport status offers.

Union Connectivity: The Transport Board recently responded to this call for evidence

focussing on rail freight movements from the Port of Felixstowe to the Midlands, North and

central belt of Scotland and regular air connectivity to/from Aberdeen and Belfast via

Norwich Airport. The response also highlighted the Airport as an important base for offshore

energy operations.

Connecting the East

Ely

The New Anglia LEP is represented on the Ely Taskforce, the Ely Area Capacity

Enhancement Programme Delivery Board and the Ely Communications Working Group.

In March 2017, the Board agreed to fund the advancement of the Ely Area Capacity

Enhancement (EACE) scheme by £3.3m as part of a wider funding package. The road/rail

scheme being worked up will allow for increased passenger services (yet to be determined)

as well as freight capacity on the network. Any new services may be subject to other

improvements on the network if they are to be fully realised. New Anglia LEP funding has

not only helped to accelerate the programme of works on Ely it has also helped to leverage

in additional funding from other partners and DfT.

The Transport Board has created an infographic highlighting the benefits of improving Ely

junction for influencing purposes. This can be found at Appendix B.

Last year the Strategic Outline Business Case was submitted to Government, a positive

decision and the additional £13.1m of funding from DfT obtained. Work is underway on the

next stages of the programme with further public consultations on options for the Ely area

planned in the summer and autumn. The Outline Business Case will be prepared in the latter

half of 2021 with a decision to design expected by summer 2022, this now includes the level

crossing work between Ely and Ipswich which has been accelerated. The current timetable

suggests that a preferred option consultation is programmed for autumn/winter

2022. Subject to various decisions construction could begin 2025. A piece of work is

underway to aggressively pursue ways of shortening the overall programme without

compromising on the benefits.

Alongside this workstream, New Anglia LEP is part of the East-West Rail Eastern Section

Executive Board to advance work on the project in Norfolk and Suffolk.

GEML: The Summary Business Case is currently being finalised following the GEML

Taskforce meeting on 28 January. This document brings together the key elements from

both the Strategic Outline Business Case and the Wider Economic Benefits study and the

purpose is to replace the original business case published in 2014, as the key lobbying

document for GEML investment.

The next step is to complete the gap analysis work to finalise the SOBC and progress the

GEML programme to the next stage on the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline. The gap

analysis work will be undertaken by Network Rail and the Taskforce is currently awaiting

approval from DfT to release the funds to carry out this work. The gap analysis will provide

more clarity in terms of costs and although this extends the timings for putting forward the

SOBC to the next stage, overall it does not impact on the timescales for the programme as

this work was already planned by Network Rail. Once funding has been released, the gap

analysis work is expected to take between 6 - 9 months to complete.

The work on the Great Eastern Mainline described above includes improvement at Haughley

junction.

East Norwich regeneration: New Anglia LEP is working with Norwich City Council, Norfolk

County Council, the Broads Authority and other partners including landowners, Greater

Anglia and Network Rail to consider the opportunities to regenerate East Norwich including a

potential improvement to Trowse rail swingbridge.

A14 Strategy Board: New Anglia LEP sits on the A14 Strategy Board led by the Suffolk

Chamber of Commerce. The Board, although disappointed that the schemes put forward for

delivery between 2020 and 2025 were not approved remains focussed that the improvement

at Copdock be included in the following programme period and that other improvements on

the route are delivered in the future too.

A47 Alliance: New Anglia LEP will continue to work as part of the A47 Alliance, led by

Norfolk County Council to see agreed schemes delivered. The four remaining schemes to

be delivered in Norfolk (Blofield to Burlingham dualling, North Tuddenham to Easton

dualling, Thickthorn junction and Great Yarmouth junctions) should have been completed by

the end of 2020 according to the original timeline. The Alliance remains committed to seeing

further improvements delivered in the future.

Other projects

Transforming Cities Fund: New Anglia LEP continues to be a member of the Joint

Committee for the Transforming Cities Fund programme in Norwich.

Proposed Sizewell C: New Anglia LEP continues to encourage EDF to consider a

sustainable transport strategy for construction.

Connected Places Catapult: the Transport Board continues to work with the Connected

Places Catapult on achieving a balanced approach between public transport and active

travel.

COVID-19

The Transport Board continues to consider the impacts of covid-19. One area that requires

particular support is the rebuilding of confidence in public transport and a working group has

been established to consider just this.

There are transport benefits with respect to the pandemic. The increase in active travel and

the subsequent Emergency Active Travel Fund have benefited Norfolk and Suffolk who have

collectively secured just over £4m.

Transport East have three sub-groups considering passenger transport, active travel and

rural connectivity, each of which have had a pandemic focus since their establishment.

New Anglia LEP is currently commissioning a piece of work to look at the new business

landscape, including the shift to home working/learning, which has resulted from the

pandemic. The shift to home working, if more permanent will have a lasting effect on our

need to travel. Through improving digital connectivity, we have the opportunity to improve

access to employment, learning and services through virtual means.

Looking Ahead

Clean growth

In November 2020 New Anglia LEP responded to the Prime Minister on the opportunities for

a Green Industrial Revolution in Norfolk and Suffolk, many of which have a distinct transport

focus/element:

1. Alternative Fuels (electric and hydrogen) - we are working across the public and

private sectors, with partners at the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined

Authority and Transport East to explore the opportunities for the collaborative and

strategic deployment of alternative fuels across the wider region. This work will build

on work that is already taking place across Norfolk and Suffolk via Norfolk County

Council’s EV Strategy and the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan.

2. Modal shift (public transport and active travel) - building on the Covid-19 response

described above we will continue to encourage modal shift, encouraging people back

on to public transport and strive to maintain the trend for more active travel.

3. Jet zero and green maritime - we will work with both the aviation and maritime sector

to support their decarbonisation efforts. From a maritime perspective this includes

developing a bid to the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

In moving forward, there is an opportunity to rationalise the activity of the Transport Board to

avoid repetition and embed clean growth principles. This will likely extend to conversations

about energy networks and digital connectivity. This paper seeks a broad view on this form

the Board ahead of a discussion at the next Transport Board on 18 March.

Influencer and Enabler

Moving forward the Transport Board can continue to work with key partners to enhance its

role as an Influencer and Enabler, developing key messages about infrastructure

improvements in the context of clean and inclusive growth within and outside of Norfolk and

Suffolk and ensure those messages are communicated effectively and in a holistic way

which links to the broader work of the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy, Local

Industrial Strategy and the Economic Recovery Restart Plan.

Strengthening Governance

The Transport Board will also consider its links with the broader governance of the LEP

including the Skills Advisory Panel, the Industry Councils and the other sector groups, in

particularly the visitor economy.

International Profile and Trade

The Transport Board will also consider its role in supporting international profile and trade.

Recommendations

The Board is invited to:

 Note the contents of the paper, sub-board report (appendix A) and the overview

presented at the meeting;

 Note the update provided on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement programme; and

 Agree in principle to the broadening of scope for the Transport Board to include clean

growth and its necessary connected elements i.e. energy and digital networks

Appendix A

Sub- Board Reporting

Sub-Board:

Transport Board

Representatives:

LEP Board: Steve Oliver

LEP Team: Ellen Goodwin

Meeting Frequency:

Quarterly

Key Objectives and their link to the

Update on actions / activity

Next Steps

NSES and LIS

NSES: Our offer to the world/competitive



Significant reduction in public transport use during the



Meeting set up to discuss how we re-build confidence

clusters close to global markets

pandemic will require renewed confidence building drive

and re-drive modal shift

LIS: Infrastructure/Clean growth



Facilitated initial discussions on a maritime



Working together on the Clean Maritime Demonstration

Connecting the East, Accessing the

cluster/network for Norfolk, Suffolk and North Essex

Competition: £20m opportunity as part of the 10-pt

World: quicker, more reliable and

working with SELEP

plan. Update at Transport Board 18 March

resilient strategic connections,



Freeport East bid submitted in support of levelling up and



Awaiting government decision

encouraging improved perceptions,

clean growth

economic participation and inward



Union connectivity response



None yet

investment

NSES: Driving business growth and



Transport East Strategy development



Transport East Forum/ Summit scheduled for 24

productivity

February/9 March respectively

LIS: Infrastructure/Clean growth



Influencing GEML and Ely taskforces to focus on the



Continued engagement

Regional Connectivity and Our Priority

strategic case and political influencing

Places: keeping people and products



East Norwich regeneration inc. Trowse swingbridge



Working through a number of Forums to advance

moving through new investment,



Support projects on A14/A47



Ongoing - A47 comms update at Transport Board 18

placemaking, maintenance and an

March

integrated public transport network with



Transforming Cities engagement in programme delivery



Ongoing

active travel opportunities

NSES: Driving business growth and

 Alternative fuels - electrification and hydrogen

 Working with the CPCA on an Alternative Fuel Strategy

productivity

opportunities

LIS: Infrastructure/Clean growth

 Prevalence of home working/learning - link to digital

 Work currently being commissioned

Agile to Change: embracing new

connectivity

technologies and digital connectivity to

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

Author: Chris Starkie

Summary

This report provides an overview of LEP team activities since the January board and is split into

five parts, reflecting the different strands of LEP activity:

1) LEP managed programmes

2) Strategy

3) Industry Councils, sector groups and external partnerships

4) Engagement and promotion

5) Governance, Operations and Finance

The media dashboard is attached as Appendix B to the report.

Recommendation

The board is asked to note the contents of the report

Highlights

Support for Covid testing for businesses

The LEP team and Growth Hub have begun supporting Norfolk and Suffolk Public Health

colleagues in the roll out of asymptomatic testing for businesses.

The LEP has agreed to assist both counties by proactively contacting businesses in priority

sectors to highlight the importance of regular testing of their workforces and encouraging them to

Council and Norfolk County Council.

We will also be using our sector groups and working with business bodies such as the chambers

and the FSB to broaden out this work.

Approval for ESF project

The LEP has received official approval from the Department of Work and Pensions for the bid we

submitted for our Careers Hub programme.

The £1.5m programme is funded through the European ESF programme with match funding from

the Careers Enterprise Company and will allow us to build on the excellent work of the LEP’s

Careers Hub and Enterprise Adviser Network.

Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme

Project approvals are continuing, with 115 projects agreed to date, providing grants valued at

£4.4m.

The programme has attracted £6.9m of private sector match funding - giving a total value of

£11.3m for the 115 projects. Investment in the approved projects will create 196 Full Time

Equivalent (FTE) jobs and safeguard 2,722.

1) LEP Programmes

Business Support

New Anglia Growth Hub

Over the last month the Growth Hub have seen an increase in businesses seeking EU Exit

related support.

Since 11^th January 2021 the Growth Hub has also been delivering specialist EU Exit related

support to SMEs across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Around a quarter of businesses enquiring have been seeking in-depth and specialist support

around key topics, particularly exporting and customs advice and guidance. We are also

developing a number of EU Exit related webinars on key topics, to support SMEs to gain the

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

knowledge they need to continue to operate effectively and with the minimum of disruption to

trading. (See further information on EU Transition in the strategy section on page 7 of the report).

The Growth Hub team continue to see a steady rise in the number of enquires relating to grant

schemes and are working with a diverse range of businesses to ensure that they have access to

appropriate financial support to both sustain and grow businesses.

Peer Network Programme

A total of 19 cohorts are up and running, with 162 businesses participating in the Peer Network

programme, which runs to the end of March 2021. Discussions are taking place within the

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to run another round of Peer Networks

in 2021/22.

Start-Up Programme

The number of people coming forward seeking support to start their own business continues to

be at a high level. Both NWES and Menta continue to deliver support to those seeking helps and

advice. With our current ERDF funding ending in September, we are working with partners to

seek alternative funding to enable the delivery of Start Up activity in the future. As part of this

process, we are holding an event in March to bring together key players in Start Up delivery,

together with local authority partners, so we can develop a long term plan for Start Up support.

Business Grants

Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme

Project approvals are continuing, with 115 projects agreed to date, providing grants valued at

£4.4m. The programme has attracted £6.9m of private sector match funding - giving a total value

of £11.3m for the 115 projects.

As of 8^th February 2021, there were 9 grant applications with a combined grant value of £366,850

in the pipeline, being supported by the Growth Hub.

Investment in the approved projects to date will create 196 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs and

safeguard 2,722. Of the 115 businesses supported, 72 are in Norfolk (£2.7m) and 43 are in

Suffolk (£1.7m).

Visitor Economy Grant Scheme (VEGs) and Wider Economy Grant Scheme (WEGs)

Both schemes continue to be extremely popular. As of 8^th February, 160 grant applications

totalling £421,907 have been approved with £186,708 of funding paid out to SMEs. A further 17

grant applications totalling £43,650 are currently under development, leaving £103,287 of funding

remaining to be allocated. MHCLG have recently confirmed that the scheme will be extended in

terms of timescale, with final claims for grants extended to the end of April 2021. The extension

does not include any additional funding for the schemes.

Small Grant Scheme

The number of applications coming through to the Small Grant Scheme has continued to pick up,

with the amount of funding unallocated now below £45k. Since its launch, the SGS has

supported 322 SMEs with £2.99 million of grant funding. A number of grant awards have slipped

due to the impact of Covid-19, however, we anticipate that the fund will be fully committed by the

end of March 2021. There are ongoing conversations with MHCLG as to future additional

funding, with a range of options available to ensure that the scheme continues beyond the

current end date of November 2021.

Growing Business Fund

The fund continues to be popular with businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk. Growth Hub

advisers are meeting businesses who are still keen to progress their growth plans and in

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

particular there has been an uplift since the autumn of 2020 in businesses looking to move or

extend their premises and employ additional staff.

All funds available for 2020/21 have already been fully committed to projects. There is a very

healthy and growing pipeline of projects for 2021/22 with many businesses looking to proceed

quickly.

Growth Through Innovation

Interest in GTI continues to gain momentum, with further applications coming forward, particularly

from the manufacturing sector. As of the 12^th February 2021 there is £654k of unallocated

funding remaining, with a further £1.2m worth of projects under development. We continue to

prioritise applicants that can demonstrate that their project is able to spend and claim the

required funds before the end of March 2021, to ensure that the 2020/21 funding is fully allocated

and spent.

Eastern Agri-tech Initiative

Funds within this scheme are now fully committed, and the grant scheme is closed to new

applications in both the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) area and New

Anglia areas. Applicants are being signposted to alternative funds where they exist.

LEP Innovative Projects Fund

Innovative Projects Fund 1 (2018 Call) - £500,000.

IPF1 Summary: Seven projects with a combined allocation of £539,531.

All projects are progressing well. Year One of the Ipswich Cornhill Project has been completed.

£91,634 has been claimed so far in this financial year (£224,759 in total). The total project spend

to date is £490,049. Public match funding of £138,705 and Private match funding of £119,711

has been levered in. Norfolk County Council’s Project ‘Building Supply Chain Skills Capacity’ is

being re-launched under the new name ‘Gearing Up to Grow’ in partnership with EEEGR.

Innovative Projects Fund (2019 Call) - £1.5m

IPF2 Summary: 18 projects with a combined allocation of £1.522m.

Fifteen projects now have their Grant Offer Letters and have started delivery. £244,099 has

been claimed so far in this financial year. Private match funding of £56,326 and public match

funding of £184,731 has been levered into the region. Of the remaining three projects, 2 projects

are finalising details prior to Offer Letter stage and the 3rd (SCC Transport Innovation Hub) is yet

to return a re-profiled proforma.

Growing Places Fund - confidential

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

LEP Growth Deal (Capital Growth Programme)

The Growth Deal, which has helped fund 41 projects as part of the Capital Growth Programme

over the past six years, officially comes to an end on 31 March 2021.

Of these, 21 projects have achieved practical completion, most notably providing various

improvements to our transport network and significant enhancement to skills provision in our

area. Progress with many ongoing projects has been affected and slowed to some degree by the

Coronavirus Pandemic, mainly through the adoption on-site health restrictions.

However, most ongoing projects are well underway and will all likely be completed over the next

year, involving the drawdown of our remaining Local Growth Fund allocation.

Getting Building Fund

The development of projects receiving financial support through the Getting Building Fund is

making good progress. Delivery of projects including the Bury St Edmunds Cornhill

Regeneration, the new Marina Centre on the Great Yarmouth Seafront and the Integrated Care

System Academy at University of Suffolk are underway.

Plans for the extension of the Norfolk Local Full Fibre Network are near completion and delivery

is expected to begin soon.

Additionally, planning for the East Suffolk Smart Towns and Micro-Generation & Storage of

Energy in Sudbury and Stowmarket are making good progress. Delivery of these and the

remaining projects are expected to start in the Spring and Summer of 2021, with almost all

scheduled for completion by early to mid-2022.

Enterprise Zones

Despite it being a challenging quarter, the two LEP Enterprise Zones are still welcoming new

businesses and demand, especially for small units, remains high.

A strong return for Q4 is predicted as buildings on the Space to Innovate Zone are completed

and occupied ahead of the deadline for benefits at the end of March 2021. This is familiar to the

EZ team as a similar pattern was seen when benefits came to an end on the Great Yarmouth and

Lowestoft EZ in 2018.

Handover of the Dr Ella May Barnes building (EMB), formerly known as the Zone 4 joint

NALEP/SNC building, on the Norwich Research Park EZ site will be in February and landscaping

is underway. This project is covered in more detail under agenda item nine. Elsewhere on the

NRP, the new multistorey car park will officially open on March 1^st, alongside the new Hethersett

Lane roundabout.

All the speculative buildings at the Wolesley Business Park on the Mobbs Way, Lowestoft

Enterprise Zone site have been sold or let, with businesses moving onto this site during Q3.

The Gateway14 development site at Stowmarket is progressing with a planning application now

submitted and the statutory period of consultation running until 3^rd March 2021. We anticipate the

application being determined in April/May. 17 hectares of Gateway 14 is designated as an

Enterprise Zone. New Anglia LEP will continue to work closely with Local Authority partners and

developers Jaynic in progressing development opportunities on the site.

As part of the work on developing the new 5-year Strategic Plan for Enterprise Zones, the LEP

has been engaging with Local Authority partners across Norfolk and Suffolk to understand the

pipeline of potential investments across all EZ sites and importantly trying to plan for demand

going forward with a need to better understand any potential impacts on the market from

Covid19.

The draft EZ Strategic Plan is scheduled to be presented at the next LEP Board meeting.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

Stuart Catchpole has led on behalf of the LEP Executive to support both counties with their roll

out of the asymptomatic testing for workers that cannot work from home - which has included

updates to businesses and passing on interested businesses to the county teams.

This programme will ramp up over the coming days with the Growth Hub and other LEP team

members proactively contacting businesses to raise awareness of the asymptomatic testing

process and benefits for business.

We have supported in getting preventative information out to businesses in the construction and

logistics sectors, which built on the work we assisted with on food processing.

Discussions are ongoing with partners around the peer to peer digital marketing campaign that

we have committed to undertake working with both counties to capture best practice of adapting

business models with innovative preventative measures amongst the business community.

Business Intelligence

The LEP continues to submit weekly business intelligence returns to central government, local

MPs, and local authority partners.

This information has been useful in assessing the impact of Covid-19 on our business base and

key sectors, as well as capturing detailed information on whether businesses are affected or not

by the new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The business intelligence we capture in the coming weeks and months will be particularly useful

as we look towards the medium to longer term Economic Recovery Plan and for our evidence

base.

Economic Evidence

The LEP has provided input to the initial draft of the productivity task & finish group report,

specifically focusing on aspects relating to the three strategic opportunities listed in the Local

Industrial Strategy and aligning discussion with the Clean Growth golden thread.

We are in discussions with Norfolk County Council officers regards the formation and shaping of

their five year economic recovery scenario work. We will continue to liaise with Andrew Staines at

NCC, in order to ensure that this analysis aligns with the broader recovery and renewal strategy

development going on across both Norfolk and Suffolk.

In addition, we are meeting with the Norfolk Office of Data Analytics and the Suffolk Office of

Data Analytics, in order to discuss how we will collectively formulate, structure, and shape an

evidence base to inform both the next Covid recovery update in the summer, and lay the

foundations for the renewal plan later this year.

We have agreed to draft a bi-monthly skills and employment report, combining intelligence and

data from a range of sources, which will be circulated to inform economic development officers

across Norfolk and Suffolk. This report will feature metrics directly related to Covid business

support schemes, as well as tracking other key metrics such as the local unemployment and job

vacancy rates.

EU Transition

Business intelligence continues to come in as businesses assess what the deal means for them

and as businesses are affected by particular issues. For example, Make UK have set out that

supply chain disruption for manufacturers has been felt immediately; even those manufacturers

that deemed themselves ready have faced some disruption; new rules for products including

rules of origin, conformity and product markings are a whole new world for many; not all

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

companies have taken the necessary steps to ensure they are ready for the changes brought in

through the Northern Ireland protocol; and manufacturers which regularly send employees to the

EU for business are seeing challenges.

Across the first three weeks of the V4 Services’ contract to provide outreach support to

businesses on behalf of New Anglia LEP and Growth Hub - 244 calls have been made to

businesses. 174 of these have been supported through basic outreach and 19 through

specialist/in-depth support and 34 signposted on. These conversations have helped raise

awareness of businesses as to what they should be doing and also where opportunities might be.

Specific intelligence includes businesses commonly reporting a lack of knowledge on VAT

changes to EU imports and exports; confusion over incoterms; uncertainty around business

travel; trouble in understanding commodity codes and how to fill in customs declarations; reports

of customs intermediaries not having capacity to take on new clients; businesses seeking to

understand the rules of origin and how to track origin of materials through documentation;

businesses seeking more information on trading with Northern Ireland to ensure they continue to

trade there; businesses trying to understand UKCA/CE marking changes and how this impacts

their products; and some reports of goods held up due to border disruption.

Skills and Employment

Skills Advisory Panel (SAPs)

The SAP met in January to review the draft Local Skills Report. This followed a period of wider

stakeholder consultation over the Christmas/New Year period plus feedback from the

Department of Education. Some minor amendments have been made and we should have a

designed version for our website to review later this month.

In mid-January the Government launched the ‘Skills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity

and Growth’ White Paper. The ambitions include giving employers a greater involvement in

curriculum development and standalone Level 4 and 5 qualifications.

The LEP Network is in discussion with the Department for Education regarding the development

of Local Skills Improvement Plans and how this aligns with our Local Skills Report and the SAP.

Chambers of Commerce are cited to have a larger role in education under the changes outlined

in the paper.

We have had some constructive conversation with the chambers who are keen and eager to be

involved in this space but concerned of expectations and demands being placed on them.

It has been agreed that it is a good idea to build from the SAP structure and supporting

resources. We will put ourselves forward as a trailblazer. If we don’t succeed in becoming a

trailblazer, we will proceed anyway if we can.

Apprenticeship Levy Transfer

Levy Transfer continues to grow demand. Currently 160 transactions have been completed, with

40 pending approval with transferring employers and 20 new applications received in the last

month. There is a current need to engage with more transferring employers to meet the demand

and through January an active campaign targeting those companies has been taking place which

will carry on into February. This includes working with our comms team and using social media to

complete case studies.

There has been in increased demand from the social care sector for funding to support the up

skill of staff to meet the increased need for supporting individuals with more complex needs at

home or in care homes whereas previously they may have been treated in hospital.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

We are currently working with UoS, TechEast, Suffolk County Council and the Chamber to

promote and support the development of digital skills from level 4 to 7, seeking to partner with

large national companies to use levy transfer to fund the apprenticeships. We will roll the same

programme out to Norfolk in due course.

EAN and Careers Hub

The EAN in collaboration with STEM Learning hosted an LMI Week from the 1^st of February

consisting of sessions from representatives of the three Growth Sectors of ICT/Digital, Agri Tech

and Clean Energy. Sessions were attended by Careers Leads and Teachers to increase their

understanding of the local labour market and future opportunities.

Migrating schools to the Careers Leads dashboard of Compass + continues to be a priority with

New Anglia outperforming CEC’s National average to date.

During February the EAN will be collaborating with Speakers for Schools on two webinars

showcasing virtual work experience to schools and businesses with the intention of increasing

local opportunities for young people.

For Apprenticeship Week the EAN has developed resources to support greater understanding of

apprentices and will be hosting apprentices on a Careers and Coffee session on the 9^th of

February.

Skills Data

The writing of the Local Skills Report has enabled us to compile a large amount of skills data with

support from the Department for Education. This includes attainment levels of our residents,

destination after qualification completion and skills supply/demand. This data will be hosted on

our website and updated at least annually.

Decarbonisation Academy

Dates for the four task and finish groups covering: Curriculum, Decarbonising Infrastructure,

Market Forces, Research and Commercialisation have been set to begin developing a plan for

the Norfolk and Suffolk pilot. These groups will explore the evidence around assets and

opportunities as well as consider how we deliver maximum impact for our area.

In addition to these task and finish groups we will be delivering a private sector session to test

our thoughts further. We continue to work with the other pilot areas including Coast to Capital as

the project develops.

Infrastructure

Transport Board

A wider Transport Board update is offered under agenda item 6.

Transport East

Strategy development continues with a consultation expected over summer 2021. Officers

recently attended a ports roundtable to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector which

will feed into this strategy development process alongside other themes including passenger

transport, active travel and rural connectivity. The next Forum meeting is due to take place on 24

March with the wider Transport East summit planned for 9 March.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

Great Eastern Main Line (GEML)

The Summary Business Case is currently being finalised following the GEML Taskforce meeting

on 28^th January. This document brings together the key elements from both the Strategic Outline

Business Case and the Wider Economic Benefits study and the purpose is to replace the original

business case published in 2014, as the key lobbying document for GEML investment.

Utilities

Energy

Alternative fuels - outputs from the private sector forum were shared with the LA working group

in January. Since then, New Anglia LEP has been working with the Cambridge and

Peterborough Combined Authority on a high-level strategic approach that would support the

delivery of Alternative Fuels across the wider region.

Greater South East Energy Hub

The most recent Hub Board meeting largely focussed on the governance of the Green Homes

Grant programme:

Total fund worth £78.35m - 12% will be capitalised leaving the remainder for home energy

efficiency improvements across the 11 LEP Hub area - £68.948m.

Grants available for low-income households to improve energy efficiency of homes with poor

EPC ratings, including public and private rented sectors, in order to make them warmer and more

adaptable to climate change.

The programme will support clean growth as well as green recovery and economic resilience and

provide cost effective carbon savings by delivering domestic energy efficiency at scale.

The Hubs have been chosen to lead in order to maximise the pace of delivery - the programme

needs to be delivered this calendar year in addition to any under delivery from previous

programmes.

LEPs are asked to provide strategic guidance for grant allocation through methodology

agreement.

Norfolk and Suffolk each have their own Local Authority delivery consortia led by a lead Local

Authority yet to be determined.

Indicative allocations for the fund have been worked out based on population and those in fuel

poverty. Deliverability of previous programmes will need to feed into the final allocations in order

to maximise the supply chain’s ability to deliver.

European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF)

Performance of Norfolk and Suffolk ERDF and ESF projects funded as part of the £80m

investment from the national programme continues to be strong, despite the impact of Covid 19

on delivery. These programmes are being delivered to their full timescales in 2023 and continue

to adhere to EU funding rules during that period.

National Reserve - ERDF

The ERDF Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which was issued via District Councils last

summer has been extended to June 2021, as have the Visitor Economy and Wider Economy

schemes being distributed in Norfolk and Suffolk via the LEP.

Interreg France Channel England funding programme

The LEP is working with six other organisations in France and England, including Norfolk County

Council, on C-CARE (Covid-19 Channel Area Response Exchange), a COVID-19 response bid

led by Kent County Council to the Interreg France Channel England funding programme. If

successful, the project will bring around £1m funding to the LEP for activity which enhances our

response to the pandemic.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

The project also involves an in-depth evaluation of Covid response interventions across the

partnership, and the development of best practice case studies and guides for future

emergencies. The outcome of the bid will be known before the end of March 2021 and the

project is due to start by June.

3) Industry Councils, sector groups and external partnerships

Sector Groups and Industry Councils

Visitor Economy

Work is progressing on the development of a Tourism Action Plan, with discussions taking place

between VEE, LEP, DMOs, Local Authorities. There is yet to be any formal announcement from

Government on the timeline for bidding for Tourism Zones but it is understood to be put back

several months.

All Energy Industry Council (AEIC)

The All-Energy Industry Council meets on the 22^nd February with a focus of the discussion being

the draft Energy Sector Recovery and Resilience Plan and the role of the Industry Council

members in its delivery.

The LEP is also working closely with Local Authority partners, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce,

EDF Energy and representatives from the Sizewell C Consortium to develop and progress the

plans around maximising future economic opportunities in relation to supply chain, business

support, inward investment and skills. A draft Statement of Economic Intent has been prepared to

clarify the scope of this activity.

Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME)

The NAAME engineering success project, funded by the LEP’s Innovative Projects Fund and

hosted by the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor is making significant progress with a planned

launched for the new website, trade and member directory as well as the Talent Sharing Platform

(TSP) for the end of February.

The delivery plan has now been approved by the NAAME Industry Council and covers four main

objectives for the coming years. Additionally, the Industry Council have approved the

development of a NAAME Skills Subgroup looking to address the skills gap and develop the

engineers of tomorrow. The group has direct reporting lines into the LEP SAP and will provide

direct links between the region’s colleges, the universities (Productivity East, in particular) and

industry.

Financial Industries Group (FIG)

A programme of events is being developed for 2021-22 and will be run using online platforms. A

wide range of topics are being planned, with some directly related to the impact of Covid on work

practices, including employment law and returning to the workplace and staff wellbeing. Wider

topics are also under consideration such as climate and sustainability (and links to insurance,

lending etc) and skills and students in the workplace.

Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor

The Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor has recently joined a steering group formed by the UEA,

to help develop a Branding cluster for Norwich - in order to attract new

creative/marketing/branding revenue as well as talent into the city by raising the region’s

reputation for this sector. Focus areas for this steering group include: 1) Strategy & Research 2:

Communication 3: Networking 4: Education and 5: Talent.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Wednesday 24^th February 2021

Agenda Item 11 - Chief Executive’s Report

As part of this group, the Tech Corridor has created an opportunity for Norwich to become a pilot

city for a nationwide roll out of AD-Cademy, a free, online advertising course aimed at helping to

address the lack of diversity in advertising, created by the Brixton Finishing School.

The programme is primarily aimed at 18- to 25-year-olds from multi-cultural, gender diverse,

neurodiverse and working-class backgrounds. The course has been designed to upskill

participants in key aspects of marketing, creativity and digital and help will help young people

enhance their employability through practical support, advice and mentoring.

The Tech Corridor is also part of a new group set up by the East of England Local Government

Association to coordinate and enable joined up messages for inward investment. The group

(which also includes Norfolk and Suffolk Unlimited) will aim to identify opportunities where a

joined effort might be beneficial, such as MIPIM.

4) Engagement and Promotion

Launch of Freeport East bid

CJ Green and Chris Starkie represented the LEP at the launch of the Freeport East bid. The

event was attended by MPs, businesses and local authority partners from Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk

and Cambs.

Freeport East now has a website - www.freeporteast.com which highlights the key elements of

the bid which includes the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich as well as the Gateway 14 site at

Stowmarket.

We are encouraging businesses and other interested parties to sign up to the bid, which was

submitted earlier this month and is in competition with proposals from across the UK.

Support with Covid-19 and EU Exit business messaging

Business support scripts for Covid-19 and EU Exit continue to be updated and circulated to

partners at least weekly, and our website pages are updated to ensure business-facing

information is up to date and easy to navigate. We have supported national and local authority

messaging about Lateral Flow Tests, helping with the development of business FAQs and

promoting testing through our website and digital channels.

5) Governance, Operations and Finance

This section provides an update for the board on any key operational matters as well as a

headline summary of the LEP’s operational finances.

Risk Register

The current risk score for risk 11, funding to support LEP programmes, has increased from 15

(amber) to 20 (red) as the longer-term view of infrastructure funding remains unclear.

Annual Performance Review

Our Annual Performance Review meeting with Government took place on 28 January. We have

received a note of the meeting with provisional scores of ‘met’ across each of the three themes;

governance, delivery and strategic impact. The final outcome letter is due in April after

consideration of Q3 data returns and national moderation.

Finance

The next set of management accounts will be the full financial year, April 20 - March 21 reporting

to the May Board meeting. There have been no extraordinary or unexpected costs since

reporting last month.

The Audit and Risk Committee met on 11 February and Price Bailey presented their audit plan

for the forthcoming year end. Key audit focus will again be on impairment of loans/investments

and also going concern as auditors are required to undertake more work following revision to the

Communications activity

during January 2021

This dashboard sets out the outcomes and impact of our communications activities

during January 2021.

Media coverage

3 press releases

17 pieces of coverage

6 reactive media enquiries

Top 3 stories

Eastern Daily Press

The Dig helps to lift profile of potential East Anglian filming sites

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/netflix-film-the-dig-helps-region-film-profile-

7078384

East Anglian Daily Times

Transport chiefs urged to back region’s rail network with big cash windfall

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/business/great-eastern-mainline-works-could-net-9bn-

6883640

East Anglian Daily Times

More than 100 firms sign up for downturn boost

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/business/new-anglia-lep-offers-free-mentoring-to-smes-

6887312

Website

24,047 page views

(up 8,444 on previous month)

New features - updated Coronavirus business support page, updated EU Exit

pages

Project to improve accessibility of web and digital content

Links to top stories

https://newanglia.co.uk/10m-package-will-help-norfolk-and-suffolks-businesses-

through-covid-19-pandemic/

https://newanglia.co.uk/laptops-are-lifeline-for-disadvantaged-students/

https://newanglia.co.uk/2m-investment-for-norfolk-rapid-covid-test-firm/

https://newanglia.co.uk/rail-taskforce-says-investment-could-deliver-9-3bn-in-

economic-benefits/

Covid-19 respon

- Support with regional Lateral Flow Testing messaging

5 versions of business support script issued to partners

Business support website page updated weekly

Employment opportunities website page updated weekly

EU Exit comms

5 versions of business support script issued to partners

Website page updated weekly, including Deal outline, videos and webinars

Support with social media messaging about settled status for workers and

Rules of Origin for exporters

Social media and e-newsletters

Jan 2021

Dec 2020

New Anglia LEP

Number of Twitter followers

8,922

8,857

Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc.)

67.48

53.32

Number of impressions (times a tweet showed in someone’s

160K

135K

timeline)

Number of LinkedIn followers

3,754

3,635

Number of impressions on LinkedIn

41.7K

32K

E-newsletter: open rate

34.97%

32.78%

E-newsletter: click-through rate

23.46%

18.69%

Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited

Number of Twitter followers

659

643

Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc.)

8.6

7.6

Number of impressions (number of times users saw our tweet)

3.1K

12.8K

Number of LinkedIn followers

1,088

1,074

Other projects

Supporting final stages of development of new energy sector branding

Design and website work for Innovation Prospectus

Design support for Great Eastern Main Line new business case

Editing and design support for the Local Skills Report

RESTART festival videos now being used on Norfolk Chamber’s new Norfolk Knowledge Hub

Support for Clean Maritime briefing event on 28 January, chaired by Steve Oliver.

Growth Deal Performance Report

Q3 2020/21

Programme Overview - What is the Growth Deal?

• Programme duration: April 2015 - March 2021.

• Value: £223.517 million (excluding funding awarded directly to Norfolk County Council).

• Aims: to boost the region’s skills, drive innovation, target support to help small businesses to grow and improve transport and infrastructure.

• Contribution to the Economic Strategy: estimated to create 54,750 new jobs, 6,800 new homes and to generate an additional £628m public and private investment.

Capital Projects

Growing Places Fund

Growing Business Fund

EZ Accelerator Fund

Total £M

£164.081

£30.116

£18.450

£10.870

£223.517

What is the Overall Programme Status?

Finance

Amber↓

Nearing full commitment, although forecast outturn has fallen and a growing amount of grant is likely to be unspent by Mar 21.

Outputs

Green↓

Reasonably on track to meet our forecast outputs, with a number of projects at risk of late achivement.

Delivery

Amber→

Increased amount of delay across many projects, only partly due to COVID restrictions, in addition to previous factors.

What are our Key Updates?

• Programme progress: reasonable in circumstances, only a minority of projects are experiencing significant delay to delivery, with minimal impact on long term outcomes.

• Refining the forecast of expenditure for remaining Growth Deal period to March 21 with the cooperation of all approved projects.

• Key concerns: Delay in project delivery will undermine spend & drawdown this financial year, but we continue to work toward maximising outturn by appropriate means.

What is our Financial Position?

Financials (£ million)

Actual

Forecast

Financial Year

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

Total

Brought Forward

0.000

12.008

0.000

19.189

18.060

16.355

Gov Allocation

36.900

38.549

41.334

34.660

24.662

47.412

223.517

Spend [Act/Fcst]

-24.892

-50.556

-22.145

-35.789

-26.367

-44.855

-204.605

Unallocated

0.000

Carried forward

12.008

0.000

19.189

18.060

16.355

18.912

2020/21 Expenditure Profile

Spend progress quarter by quarter:

•Delivery disrupted by COVID restrictions.

• Continue work to minimise funding Rollover.

Contract Comittments:

Forecast

Available LGF

• £3.5M apportioned to Resilience & recovery Scheme

(£M)

& Claims

all now contractually committed.

(£M)

* £1.035M apportioned to Growing Places Fund not

yet contractually committed.

Apportionment:

Q1-20/21

Q2-20/21

Q3-20/21

Q4-20/21

Financial Quarters

• No change to apportionment of funds.

Qtrly Forecast

8.793

12.128

15.049

15.004

Qtrly Spend

6.564

8.238

10.982

Available LGF

63.767

57.203

48.965

37.983

What is our contribution to the Economic Strategy?

Quarter/Year:

3 (Oct-Dec) 2020/21

Forecast to

Percentage

Outputs - Cumulative from April 2015 to Quarter 3 2020/21

Actual to date

Change

2025

Progress

New Homes

792

1005

79%

New Jobs

2,896

2,478

115%

New Learners

2,040

6,707

30%

355

Match Funding (‘Non-LGF Expenditure’); forecast to March 2021 only.

£662.484M

£622.374M

106%

£16.958M

Forecasts have been updated to include Homes, Jobs & Learners from projects anticipated out to 2025.

• Homes: 28 from Lynsport Access Road, Kings Lynn (no apparent growth at Lark Grange, Bury St Edmunds this period)

• Jobs: being met primarily through Growing Business Fund (31), 6 for Growing Places, 1 at UEA, 1 for the Innovation Network & 5 at South Lowestoft Industrial Estate.

• Learners: 86 at International Aviation Acdemy, 269 at Productivity East. (West Suffolk College to confirm 2020-21 Learners in Q4 submission).

• Match funding: progessing well.

What is the Project Delivery Status?

Overall:

Green↓

Physically

Significant

Under

Complete

On track

Small Variation

Total Projects

Complete

Variation

Development

Black

Blue

Green

Amber

Red

Purple

Change

-3

-1

• Project change: UoS DigiTech Centre making increased progress in both delivery and spend: Red to Amber.

• Project change: Suffolk Broadband; delivery of Phase 2 (Strategic Extension Programme) Complete, just waiting for confirmation of final coverage & spend: Green to Blue.

• Project change: NATS City Centre Transport package, delay to completion of Prince of Wales Rd scheme. Green to Amber.

• Project change: Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Network delivery slowed due to COIVID preventing access to sites: Green to Amber.

What are the Next Steps?

•Continue to monitor the impact of issues & risks, including COVID, on Growth Deal delivery schedule and expenditure profile, and offer support where possible.

•Proceed with Evaluating completed Projects, in accordance with Evaluation Framework.

•Support development & delivery of projects chosen for support through the "Getting Building Fund" to meet the ambitions of our Economic & Local Industrial Strategies .

Appendix 1 - Growth Deal Q3 2020-21 Programme Performance Report

Below is an update on all Growth Deal large capital projects and sub-programmes, reflecting the

‘Project Delivery Status’ section of the Programme Performance Report.

Red: Snetterton Employment Area- Delivery delayed approx. 18 months, initially by a 30%

cost increase from UK Power Network, and then an indemnity clause in the preferred site lease

agreement. Breckland District Council then acquired an alternative site, but UKPN are rewriting

the delivery programme, where construction is unlikely to begin before Spring 2021.

Red: Lowestoft Flood Risk Management Project- Delivery of tidal defence elements delayed

by 9 to 12 months. Planning permission granted Feb 20 for construction of tidal walls. Full

funding for Tidal Barrier now secured and project should assume an accelerated delivery.

Red: Enterprise Zone Accelerator Fund- Construction of NRP Zone 4 Building and

Roundabout making good progress. However, the Nar Ouse Regeneration Area development

has yet to begin, with delivery and spend likely to continue into Autumn 2021.

Red: Snape Maltings Flood Defences- delivery delayed by an ongoing Internal Drainage

Board (IDB) application to the Environment Agency for Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA),

after which construction will commence as soon as practical.

Red: SNC Digital & Technology Skills Hub- Delivery schedule slipped by 6-9 months, mainly

due to land acquisition and planning processes and partly due to COVID restrictions.

Amber: Growing Business Fund - Applications have slowed. Contracted commitments,

project delivery & expenditure likely to carry forward into 2021-22 Financial Year.

Amber: Growing Places Fund - All apportioned funding now allotted to projects, although

Contracted commitments, project delivery & expenditure likely to carry forward into the 2021-22

Financial Year.

Amber: Norwich Area Transportation Strategy - City Centre Package- Delay to completion

of Prince of Wales Road scheme and delivery of Plumstead Road Roundabout.

Amber: Attleborough Sustainable Transport Package- Land purchase and planning

permission had been delaying delivery, but some construction has now begun.

Amber: Thetford Transport Package- No substantial progress or grant claims for the past 12

months. Delivery schedule for Croxton Road footpath and cycleway to begin January 2021.

Amber: Great Yarmouth Rail Station Interchange- Delay and uncertainty remain over the

Vauxhall Gardens element of the package for which a CPO may be used to acquire land.

Amber: Ely Area Rail Enhancement Scheme- Programme development through to option

selection was delayed by rail system complexity and requirement for additional DfT funding. An

Outline Business Case is now expected Autumn 2022 for a ‘Decision to Design’ the preferred

solution. Possible delivery anticipated from 2025 onwards.

Amber: UoS DigiTech Centre - Delivery of new facilities has improved, despite delay to

asbestos work in Orion Building (Acoustic Suite) now planned for Jan-Jun 2021, postponing

move of personnel from Oberon House ground floor. Completion & occupation expected Dec 21.

Amber: CCN Digital Technology Factory - delivery schedule slipped 3 months, as it took

longer to agree value engineering aspects of final contract and then COVID restrictions further

delayed start of works. Construction now underway.

Amber: Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Network-. Rollout of gateways delayed by COVID

preventing access to chosen sites.

Amber: Business Resilience & Recovery Scheme- Strong pipeline of grant applications,

approval and acceptance, although full spend not likely before the end of the Financial Year.

Green: West Suffolk College Engineering and Innovation Centre.

Green: Ipswich (Radial) Transport Package.

Green: Great Yarmouth Transport Package.

Green: Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing.

Green: Cefas Marine Science Hub.

Green: Great Yarmouth Flood Defences.

Green: Honingham Thorpe Food Enterprise Park.

Green: Eye Airfield Access Link Roads.

Green: UEA Productivity East.

Blue: Lynnsport Access Road (King's Lynn).

Blue: Suffolk Broadband Programme.

Blue: Bury St Edmunds Eastern Relief Road.

Blue: King's Lynn Innovation Centre.

Blue: A47/A1074 Longwater Junction, Norwich.

Blue: Norwich Area Transportation Strategy - A11 Corridor.

Blue: Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre.

Blue: International Aviation Academy Norwich

Blue: South Lowestoft Industrial Estate.

Blue: Ipswich Cornhill.

Blue: East Coast College Energy Skills & Engineering Centre.

Blue: Norwich Northern Distributor Road.

Blue: Bacton to Walcott Coastal Management Scheme.

Blue: A140 Hempnall Roundabout.

Black: Easton & Otley College Construction Training Centre.

Black: College of West Anglia University Centre.

Black: Upper Orwell Crossing Feasibility study.

Black: Lowestoft Third Crossing Feasibility study.

Black: Norfolk Broadband programme.

Black: Beccles Southern Relief Road.

Black: Bury St Edmunds Sustainable Transport Package.

Black: Haverhill Innovation Centre.

Black: Growth Hub Programme.

Black: Sudbury Western Bypass Study.

Black: Felbrigg Junction Improvement.

Growth Deal Dashboard

LEP Name

New Anglia LEP

Growth Deal Performance

Area lead comments

This Quarter:

Q3_2021

Deliverables Progress

Financial Progress

Financial Year

2015-16

2016-17

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

Total

This Quarter

15-17

Total

LGF Award

Housing

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

21-25

£36,900,000

£38,548,555

£41,334,111

£34,659,957

£24,661,848

£47,412,132

£223,516,603

Houses Completed

176

493

792

Forecast for year

155

150

350

155

310

1,005

Financial Year

15-17

Total

Progress towards forecast

18%

41%

141%

35%

79%

LGF Outturn

This Quarter

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

Actual

10,981,570

75,448,555

28,621,444

29,312,509

26,367,064

25,783,670

185,533,243

Jobs

Forecast for year

40,478,764

75,448,555

28,621,445

35,420,467

43,547,372

40,478,764

223,516,603

Jobs Created

173

1,345

648

626

2,866

Progress towards forecast

27%

100%

83%

61%

64%

83%

Apprenticeships Created*

Jobs including Apprenticeships

181

1,352

658

629

2,896

LGF Expenditure

Forecast for year

231

598

393

605

407

231

294

2,528

Actual

12,506,274

73,694,786

22,489,457

37,198,266

22,446,523

27,563,864

183,392,896

Progress towards forecast

19%

30%

344%

109%

155%

33%

115%

Forecast for year

40,478,764

75,448,555

22,144,993

41,896,919

43,547,372

40,478,764

223,516,603

* Apprenticeships included within jobs totals prior to 2017

Progress towards forecast

31%

98%

102%

89%

52%

68%

82%

Skills

Non-LGF Expenditure

Area of new or improved floorspace (m2)

3,944

4,849

13,968

3,727

26,488

Actual

16,957,683

44,410,133

155,062,844

292,547,407

111,162,422

59,301,316

662,484,122

Forecast for year

5,968

2,930

4,849

6,125

5,968

19,872

Forecast for year

111,466,956

46,410,132

55,432,686

286,366,003

122,698,974

111,466,956

622,374,751

Progress towards forecast

135%

100%

228%

62%

133%

Progress towards forecast

15%

96%

280%

102%

91%

53%

106%

Number of New Learners Assisted

355

153

275

708

476

428

2,040

Total LGF + non-LGF Expenditure

Forecast for year

862

279

846

870

862

3,778

6,707

Actual

29,463,957

118,104,919

177,552,301

329,745,673

133,608,945

86,865,180

845,877,018

Progress towards forecast

41%

213%

99%

84%

55%

50%

30%

Forecast for year

151,945,720

121,858,687

77,577,679

328,262,922

166,246,346

151,945,720

845,891,354

Progress towards forecast

19%

+97%

+229%

+100%

+80%

+57%

100%

Transport

Length of Road Resurfaced

0.0

1.3

1.6

4.4

Length of Newly Built Road

0.3

1.4

2.5

23.1

0.0

0.3

27.3

Length New Cycle Ways

0.0

10.0

2.2

1.7

13.8

Project RAG Ratings

Contractual Commitments (manual entry)

Previous Quarter

This Quarter

Previous Quarter

This Quarter

15-17

17-18

18-19

19-20

20-21

Total

Project Name

Q2_2021

Q3_2021

Project Name

Q2_2021

Q3_2021

Forecast

107,828,427

23,950,927

28,880,126

55,595,263

7,261,860

223,516,603

Actual

107,828,427

23,950,927

27,769,356

51,175,733

11,787,220

222,511,663

Easton and Otley College

N/A

Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing

Variance

+0%

-4%

-8%

+62%

-0%

College of West Anglia

N/A

Lowestoft Flood Risk Management

Lynnsport Access Road

Ely Area Rail Capacity Enhancement

Bury St Edmunds Relief Road

Enterprise Zone Accelerator Fund

Commentary

Kings Lynn Innovation Centre

Cefas Marine Science Hub

1. Contract Commitments include our 7% Running Costs and are now nearing ful committment.

Growing Business Fund

Bacton to Walcott Coastal Management Scheme

2. Lowestoft Flood Risk Management Project, a government priority specified in New Anglia's Growth Deal, has experienced significant delay and slow expenditure.

Growing Places Fund

Eye Airfield Access Link Road

3. Snetterton Employment Area power upgrade project has been delayed more than a year by legal issues that prevented site access and an alternative has now been selected for delivery.

West Suffolk College

Snape Maltings Flood Defence

4. University of Suffolk DigiTech Centre has been delayed 9 months due to Asbestos works, so completion for full occupation now unlikely before December 2021.

Norfolk Broadband Programme

N/A

Great Yarmouth Flood Defences

5. City College Norwich DigiTech Factory construction has slipped 3 months, as it took longer to agree value engineering aspects of the contract and then COVID delayed start of

Suffolk Broadband Programme

A140 Hempnall Roundabout

construction.

A47 Longwater Junction

Honingham Thorpe Food Enterprise Park

6. Delivery of the Suffolk New College Digital & Technology Skills Hub Tech Centre has slipped by 6-9 months, mainly due to land acquisition and planning, but also partly due to COVID

Norwich Area Transportation Strategy (NATS) C

UoS DigiTech Centre

restrictions.

Norwich Area Transportation Strategy (NATS) A

CCN Digital Technology Factory

7. Deployment of the Norfolk & suffolk Innovation Network has been delayed upto 6 months by COVID restrictions.

Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre

SNC Digital & Technology Skills Hub

International Aviation Academy

Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Network

Beccles Southern Relief Road

UEA Productivity East

Haverhill Innovation Centre

N/A

Business Reslience & Recover Scheme

South Lowestoft Industrial Estate

Running Costs

Sudbury Western Bypass Study

N/A

Attleborough Sustainable Transport

Bury St Edmunds Sustainable Transport

Great Yarmouth Transport Package

Ipswich Radial Corridor Improvements

Section 151 Officer Approved

Thetford Transport Package

Name

East Coast College

Felbrigg Junction Improvemnet

N/A

Signature

Ipswich Cornill

Snetterton Employment Area

Norwich Northern Distributor Road

Date

Great Yarmouth Rail Station Interchange

New Anglia LEP programme outputs dashboard - Q3 2020/21

Data as of Feb 2021

Jobs created

Private sector investment unlocked

New dwellings supported

Primary Economic Strategy (ES) indicators supported

Delivery, this quarter (Q3, Oct-Dec 2020):

125

Delivery, this quarter (Q3, Oct-Dec 2020):

£14.1m

Delivery, this quarter (Q3, Oct-Dec 2020):

Delivery, year to date (2020-21 financial year):

£25.9m

Delivery, year to date (2020-21 financial year):

Delivery, year to date (2020-21financial year):

842

With a proven track record of creating jobs and supporting employment

Delivery, cumulative to date (2012-):

£514m

opportunities in the local economy, LEP programmes have a demonstra-

ble and clearly measurable impact on the ambitions of the Economic

LEP programmes continue to leverage in significant private sector invest-

Strategy, and associated indicators.

ment, helping to unlock jobs, housing, capital and growth. In fact, the IMF

Though typically small-scale and limited in terms of direct tangible out-

estimates every £1 of private sector investment can stimulate a further £3

The Enterprise Zones, Growing Business Fund (GBF), and Business Growth

puts, LEP programmes still have a demonstrable role in supporting the

of economic growth, highlighting its direct impact on the delivery of the

Programmes have proved to be the primary drivers of the jobs created to

delivery of new homes and leveraging in resources to unlock sites and

aims and ambitions in the Economic Strategy.

date in 2020/21.

development.

Delivery through last year was very successful, achieving an outcome of

In Q3 of 2020 the EZ’s and Business Growth Programme made the most

This was another metric, where we saw considerable over achievement

198% above target.

significant contributions for the second quarter running. Compared to

through 2019/20, however, Q2 of 2020 saw a modest increase on Q1 de-

livery, though Q3 saw the pace of delivery increase further—despite very

previous trend data, the figures for Q3 2020 were below the average,

In Q3 of 2020/21 there have been challenging conditions, with the advent

challenging economic and labour force conditions.

though this is unsurprising, given the prevailing economic conditions.

of tier restrictions and a second lockdown in November. It remains unclear

what the full impact of the second lockdown, and the third lockdown will

However, sites appear to have continued operating through the autumn

We anticipate a recovery through 2021, though in light of recent further

have on various projects and their ability to deliver. Any potential shortfall

and we are confident that demand for housing will remain through 2021.

lockdown announcements, this metric could prove very challenging in

in this metric is likely to be directly linked to the performance of the job

the year ahead.

created metric.

Target, this year (20-21 financial year):

2,107

Target, this year (20-21 financial year):

£62m

Target, this year (20-21 financial year):

195

Delivery, year to date, as % of target:

40%

Delivery, year to date, as % of target

42%

Delivery, year to date, as % of target:

28%

New Anglia LEP programme outputs dashboard - Q3 2020/21

Data as of Feb 2021

New businesses created

Jobs paying above the median salary

Learners & apprenticeships supported

Primary Economic Strategy (ES) indicators supported

Delivery, this quarter (Q3, Oct-Dec 2020):

357

Delivery, year to date (2020-21 financial year):

261

Delivery, year to date (2020-21 financial year):

430

Delivery, cumulative to date (2012-):

1,616

% of Jobs paying above the Median wage

Delivery, cumulative to date (2018-):

1,989

this quarter:

23%

The scale and breadth of the LEPs activity within enterprise support

LEP programmes play an important role in creating and supporting

means it has a vital and unrivalled role to play in supporting and stimu-

learners and apprenticeships, ensuring a demonstrable impact on the

lating the uplift in enterprise required to achieve the aims and ambitions

The above figures show that the overall volume of job creation (in relation

ambitious skills-related aims of the Economic Strategy and associated

indicators.

of the Economic Strategy.

to Growth Deal projects), picked up through Q3 (30 jobs created com-

pared to 27 for Q1 and Q2 combined), however, the proportion of those

In 2019/20 delivery against target fell below what was anticipated—in

This was another metric where delivery exceeded expectations last year,

jobs directly supported that are paying above the median wage, (around

particular, the Aviation Academy and West Suffolk College projects

though only marginally in this instance.

£26,500 p.a.) slipped below target in Q3.

have not met projections in terms of through put. Latterly, Suffolk New

Q3 of 2020 showed some encouraging signs, its possible that part of the

College and City College Norwich have slipped below projected targets,

The vast majority of the jobs created through Q1, Q2, and Q3 0f 2020/21

activity can be attributed to an increased volume of the population start-

with a return to normal activity not expected until autumn 2021.

have been full-time posts. The figures show that the proportion of jobs

ing their own enterprise having been laid off as a consequence of the

While learner numbers for Q1 and Q2 2020 look low, its important to

paying above the median wage steadily rose through 2019-2020 & the

lockdowns and restrictions. This remains a very difficult metric to pre-

bear in mind this is one of the most cyclical metrics we track. Q3 deliv-

first 2 quarters of 2020/21. However, Q3 of 2020 has seen a notable drop.

dict, especially in light of a second lockdown, and now third lockdown.

ered a substantial number of the overall annual total to date. In addi-

In order to hit the 33% target for the full reporting year , Q4’s returns

There remains potential that impending redundancies could see a pro-

tion, around 500 of the learners are anticipated to flow through the ‘Fit

would need to achieve the highest quarterly proportion to date, with at

portion of the workforce starting their own businesses, which could see

for Nuclear’ programme, which we will closely monitor, as it will have a

least 40% of the jobs paying above the median salary.

delivery achieving close to the envisaged target in Q4.

significant bearing on achieving the overall goal.

Target, this year (20-21 financial year):

387

Target, this year (20-21 financial year):

1,467

Target, this year as % of all GBF job creation

33%

Delivery, year to date, as % of target:

67%

Delivery, year to date, as % of target

29%

Delivery, Year to date, as % o60target

30%

New Anglia LEP Interim Economic Indicators

Data as of January 2021

Furlough Data

Self Employment Support

Unemployment - Proxy Indicator

Comparator profile May to December 2020

Comparator profile Mar to Nov 2020

Comparator profile July to December 2020

The data for the self-employment support scheme (SEISS) shows that the

take-up rate in Norfolk and Suffolk peaked in July at around 74% of eligible

Unemployment data at a local, county, and LEP level, is updated on a rolling

The above data illustrates that as a result of the trading restrictions brought

self-employed, just below the UK peak of 77%. The take up rate has de-

monthly basis, reflecting the average unemployment rate over the preceding 12

about by the first lockdown of 2020, around one third of all eligible workers

creased through August, to around 62% and 67% - respectively.

month period. This means that the ‘official’ data will not provide a timely indication

were receiving support through the furlough scheme, at both a national and

on the impact of the current restrictions in terms of increases in unemployment.

Compared to the drop-off rate of the furlough scheme over a similar peri-

a local level.

od, the reduction in take-up rate for self-employed support has been much

Therefore, we have agreed with the Norfolk Office for Data Analytics (NODA) and

Sector data relating to furlough is not available at a local level, but national

smaller, with around 6 in 10 of those eligible still claiming support through

the Suffolk Office for Data Analytics (SODA) to use a ‘proxy’ unemployment indica-

level data indicates that hospitality and visitor/retail sectors saw the largest

tor—the Alternative Claimant Count. This measure allows us to examine the in-

October, though the data indicates this figure fell further, to around 50% by

take up rates—running at around 75-87% at their peak.

crease in unemployed claimants, over a relatively short periods of time.

December.

We can see from the above figures that there was an increase of 113% in unem-

There was a noticeable reduction in furlough figures as the economy reo-

The average value of a claim in December was around £2,800 in both Nor-

ployed claimants in Norfolk and Suffolk between March to July of this year, and this

pened through the summer months (falling to around 6/7%), however, as the

folk and Suffolk— exactly in line with the UK average.

figure has been comparatively constant through the rest of 2020.. Norfolk and Suf-

tier restrictions and a second lockdown kicked in, the furlough rate has crept

folk are largely reflective of national trends., though tracking below the rest of the

back up to around 11/12%

UK in terms of the headline rate of unemployment.

New Anglia LEP Interim Economic Indicators

Data as of January 2021

Vacancies

Wages

Enterprise Rate

Comparator profile: Jan-Dec 2020

Profile: Jan 2018-Dec 2020

Comparator Profile Jan 2018—Dec 2020

The data above shows us the en-

terprise start-up rate in relation to

the working age population, 16-

64 years of age.

The data reflects only those busi-

nesses registered with Companies

House, and is therefore a proxy of

enterprise activity, rather than a

direct reflection of overall activity.

We can see that the initial lock-

down caused a substantial dip in

The above table shows only a selection of the year on year comparative vol-

business formations, though this

ume of job postings in Norfolk and Suffolk by sector groupings, together with

rapidly recovered through the

an ‘all sectors’ summary figure

summer, before plateauing

through the autumn. This is a

In terms of all vacancies, across all sectors — there has been an increase of

The data shows us that median wages contnue to track significantly below the UK

common pattern, looking back at previous year’s data, though overall the

4,955 in the volume posted up to December 2020 compared to December

natonal average.

volumes of enterprises being registered tracked above the average in 2020.

2019.

Median wages at both a natonal and local level have only marginally fluctuated

There may be two contributory factors to this, one is that as people have

We can see that while there was a significant drop off in nearly every sector as

over the past 12 months, though overall median wage levels have incrementally

lost their jobs or have been made redundant as a result of the impact of

a result of the initial lockdown, there was a sustained surge in demand in the

increased since 2018.

lockdowns, and they have decided to start their own enterprise. In addition,

health and social care sector. Many of the other sectors (except for Accommo-

the more general disruption to established business and trade practices, as

dation & Food), appeared to be getting back on trend by the end of 2020.

While it may seem counter intuitve to see that median wages have contnued to

a result of the UK leaving the EU, may have caused an uptick in enterprise

Information & Communciatiosn also saw a drop in demand, though this

rise during a tme of economic challenge and recession, it may be important to

registrations, as various sectors adapt to new trading conditions.

bear in mind that this partcular recession has reduced the vacancy rate at the low-

should not be taken as an indication of a drop in demand for ‘digital skills’

er end of the pay scale in partcular.

across the economy as whole.

New Anglia LEP Board Forward Plan - 2021

Date

Venue

Strategic

Operational

27^th January

Virtual



2021 LEP Strategic Priorities

 Connected Innovation



Agri-Food Industry Council Report

 NAC Report



Trade and Cooperation Agreement

 Growth Programme, EAN, Enterprise Zones PPRs

Between the EU and the UK

 Quarterly Management Accounts

24^th February



Energy Sector Recovery Plan

 Economic and Programme Dashboards



Local Transport Board Report

 Growth Deal PPR

 Capital Growth Projects x 3

31^st March

Virtual



Enterprise Zones 5 Year Strategic

 LEP updated Local Assurance Framework 21/22

Plan

 LEP Operating Budget 20/21



ICT Digital Industry Council Report

 Enterprise Zones, EAN and Agri-Tech PPRs

April

No Board Meeting

26^th May

Virtual



Innovation Board Report

 Capital Budget 21/22

 Quarterly Management Accounts

 Growth Programme and Growth Deal PPRs

23^rd June

Virtual



Skills Advisory Panel Report

 Enterprise Zones, Eastern Agri-Tech & EAN PPRs

 Operating & HR Policies

21^st July

Virtual



All Energy Industry Council Report

 Growth Programme PPR

 NAC Report

 Accounts Approval

 Q2 Management Accounts

August

No Board Meeting

22^nd

Virtual



Agri-Food Industry Council Report

 Growth Deal, EAN & Enterprise Zones PPRs

September



Tourism Action Plan / Tourism Zone

 Economic and Programme Dashboards

22^nd

New Anglia LEP AGM

September

20^th October

Virtual



ICT Digital Industry Council Report

 Growth Programme & Agri-Tech PPRs

 Quarterly Management Accounts

24^th November

Virtual



Local Transport Board Report

 Economic and Programme Dashboards

 Growth Deal PPR

December

No Board Meeting