New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday 30th March 2022
10.00am - 12.30pm
By MS Teams
Agenda
No.
Item
1.
Welcome from the Chair
2.
Presentation from Katy Davies, MD Camden Boss, Enterprise Advisor
3.
Apologies
4.
Declarations of Interest
5.
Actions / Minutes from the last meeting
Strategic
6.
Agri-Food Industry Council Report
Update
Operational
7.
New Anglia LEP Business Plan 2022/23
For Approval
8.
New Anglia LEP Governance
For Approval
9.
New Anglia LEP Finance - Operating Budget 2022/23 Update - Confidential
For Approval
10.
Board and Committee Membership
For Approval
11.
Chief Executive’s Report
Update
12.
March Programme Performance Report
Update
13.
Board Forward Plan
Update
14.
Any Other Business
Update
15.
Chief Executive’s Pay Award - Confidential
For Approval
1
Confidential
New Anglia Board Meeting Minutes (Unconfirmed)
26th January 2022
Present:
Claire Cullens (CC)
Norfolk Community Foundation
David Ellesmere (DE)
Ipswich Brough Council
C-J Green (CJG)
Brave Goose
Matthew Hicks (MH)
Suffolk County Council
Pete Joyner (PJ)
Shorthose Russell
Dominic Keen (DK)
Britbots
Corrienne Peasgood (CP)
Norwich City College
Andrew Proctor (AP)
Norfolk County Council
Johnathan Reynolds (JR)
Opergy
Sandy Ruddock (SR)
Scarlett & Mustard
Alan Waters (AW)
Norwich City Council
Jeanette Wheeler (JW)
Birketts
Attendees
Justin Ott (JO)
EV Spark
Mark Goodall (MG)
All Energy Industry Council Chair - For Item 7
Vince Muspratt (VM)
Norfolk County Council
Shan Lloyd (SL)
BEIS
Jai Raithatha (JRa)
Suffolk County Council
Iain Dunnett (ID)
New Anglia LEP - For Item 9
Ellen Goodwin (EG)
New Anglia LEP - For Item 6
Julian Munson (JM)
New Anglia LEP - For Item 7
Chris Starkie (CS)
New Anglia LEP
Rosanne Wijnberg (RW)
New Anglia LEP
Helen Wilton (HW)
New Anglia LEP
1
2
Actions from the meeting: (23.2.22)
None
1
Welcome from the Chair
CJ Green (CJG) welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2
Presentation from Justin Ott, EV Spark
CJG welcomed Justin Ott (JO) to the meeting. JO is the CEO of Spark EV Technology which was
awarded £50,000 by New Anglia Capital.
Jo provided the board with a presentation on the company’s work in energy optimisation and range
prediction technology for electric vehicles and explained how they map driver movements and driving
styles to understand the impact on the ranges of the vehicles.
He advised that the company has identified a niche in working with owners of commercial vehicles and
that they would break even in 2022 and it will turn a profit in 2023.
JO noted their core challenge is reduced R&D due to a smaller order book from delays in the supply of
semi-conductors.
The meeting discussed the skills shortages in the market. JO advised that salaries for graduates had
increased significantly over the past few years with joining salaries of around £65k. The need to
access skilled staff means that engineers have to be sourced from across Europe in order to allow to
allow work to start immediately for customers.
Jeanette Wheeler (JW) queried whether the company had links to the universities and colleges. JO
advised that they had worked on commercial projects with the UEA but not with engineers however he
was open to working with these establishments in the future.
Johnathan Reynolds (JR) asked if the technology could be used in other fields such as the marine
sector. JO confirmed that this was possible and he was keen to explore other areas of application.
CJG thanks JO for his presented and JO left the meeting.
3
Apologies
Apologies were received from Kathy Atkinson, John Griffiths and Stuart Dark
4
Declarations of Interest
JR declared an interest in the following items:
Item 7 - All Energy Industry Council Update - noting he is a co-founder and Director of
Hydrogen East and that Martin Dronfield, EEEGR’s Executive Chairman, is Opergy’s
Commercial Director.
Item 10 - Freeport East Update - Opergy is contracted to support Hutchison Ports (Harwich
Tax Site only), in terms of offshore wind and hydrogen development
Item 11 - Chief Executives Report - Fit 4 Offshore Renewables. Opergy is contracted by
ORE Catapult to deliver the F4OR programme across the UK.
Corrienne Peasgood (CP) noted an interest in Item 9 - the Growing Places Fund Application.
Easton College interest in land at the FEP.
5
Actions/Minutes from the last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 23rd January were agreed as accurate.
CS reviewed the action log and confirmed all items been updated.
6
Transport Board Report
Ellen Goodwin (EG) presented the paper giving an overview of the progress achieved by the
Transport Board since the last report was provided a year ago.
2
3
EG noted that the work has been steered towards supporting clean growth and the
decarbonisation of transport and cited the development of the Alternative Fuel Strategy, the
role of Hydrogen East and support for greener commuting as examples of the areas of focus.
Following agreement at the January LEP Board on the Strategic Priorities the paper proposed
the re-alignment of staff resources devoted to transport to reduce duplication and maximise
value. This includes disbanding the Local Transport Board and continuing to work through
Transport East to achieve both the transport and economic ambitions for Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
 To delegate to the CEO the disbandment of the Transport Board in line with agreed
governance procedures
7
All Energy Industry Council Report
Julian Munson (JM) presented the report detailing the progress achieved by the All Energy
Industry Council (AEIC) since the last update.
JM noted the importance of the private sector collaboration as highlighted in the Levelling Up
White Paper and confirmed that this underpinned the work of the council.
JM highlighted the complexity of the energy sector for the region and noted the number of
strategic national projects which were underway which would showcase the region’s
strengths.
JM advised that the AEIC was working closely with EEEGR on a regional communications
structure with ‘sector councils’ established for each area of the energy sector. These groups
will feed into the AEIC. This will enable the AEIC board membership to be reduced to a more
manageable number to enable it to focus on key strategic areas and bridging the gap
between key stakeholders.
Other areas of work include the successful launch of Generate marketing brand which has
been well adopted and is being used by partners across events and promotional activity.
Consent for the Norfolk Vanguard & Boreas wind farms has been received and will have a
positive impact on the local supply chain. A decision on Sizewell C is expected in May with a
visit from Kwasi Kwateng last month and £100m commitment from Government to unlock
further private funding.
JM noted the continued progress of the Great Yarmouth O&M campus which is being
supported by the LEP in partnership with local authorities. Also the ORE Catapult will
continue to have a base here and will now fully fund a post in the region (initially part funded
by the LEP for 2 years).
The LEP has also supported in lobbying Government in pushing forward key projects where
delays have been experienced.
Mark Goodall (MG), Chair of the AEIC, joined the meeting and reiterated the positive news on
the consent for the offshore wind projects and expressed the hope that they would now be
progressed in a timely manner.
MG noted the USP for the region was the fact that it contains such a wide range of types of
energy and this diversity needed to be promoted and exploited.
JW enquired whether there had been any progress in resolving the issues around bringing
power onshore. The board heard that work has been continuing which has moved on this area
although there are still significant challenges. New approaches need to be considered such as
large scale transmission batteries sited in Norfolk & Suffolk to allow onward transmission
JR noted that the connection issues around some projects have not yet been resolved and this
affects beyond the energy sector ie utilities and transport.
3
4
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
MG left the meeting
8
LEP Review and Levelling Up White Paper - Confidential
4
5
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
9
Growing Places Fund Application - Confidential
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
10
Freeport East - Confidential
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
11
Chief Executives Report
CS presented key items from the report and highlighted the launch of the Space Sector plan
at an event held at Adastral Park which aims to bring together the significant number of
businesses in the region working in this field.
5
6
CS noted that, at AP’s suggestion, the LEP has been in contact with Rolls Royce regarding
their search for a site for a SMR manufacturing facility and have submitted ideas for
consideration.
CS thanked partners for their contributions to the bid for the Skills Bootcamp which, if
successful, will result in a £2m fund.
Work is also continuing on a Skills Hub to support the work of the Skills Advisory Panel, which
will bring together staff from the LEP, Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council. The
The Skills Hub will then be in a position to support the development of the new Local Skills
Improvement Plans (LSIPs) working with the chambers.
JW noted the feedback received in the Annual Performance Review regarding the delivery of
projects within the Getting Building Fund. RW confirmed that the spend for the fund had to be
completed by the end of March 2022 and that this deadline and the ongoing work to achieve
the spend had been discussed at the APR.
JW queried the increase in the level of the risk relating to the improper use of grant funds.
RW advised that spend on the majority of programmes is required by the end of March and
an intervention rate is linked to that award. For some projects the spend in less then
envisaged or through lack of evidence small clawbacks can be required.
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the report
12
February Performance Reports
RW presented the February Programme Performance Reports and confirmed that as the
focus has been on approving those grants with looming end dates the approvals to the Small
Grants Scheme had slowed
Growth Deal & Getting Building Fund - The report covers Q3 up to the end of December
2021. The focus is on achieving spend out by 31st March 2022.
Growth Deal - Snetterton & Nar Ouse have consistently been flagged as red however a claim
for £700k has now been received from Nar Ouse and work is proceeding well on this project.
Snetterton - a claim of £1.6m is expected which will be a combination of actual and forward
spend.
The first O&M campus claim of just under £1m has been paid and supporting evidence for
Suffolk Broadland is being progressed.
RW confirmed that it is anticipated that spend of £7-8m can be evidenced and further spend
will require use of flexibilities to show spend commitments.
RW presented the dashboards and highlighted key items noting the challenges around skills
and unemployment.
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the reports
12
Board Forward Plan
CJG presented for forward plan for the March 2022 meeting.
The Board agreed:
 To note the content of the plan
13
Any Other Business
None
6
7
Actions from New Anglia LEP Board Meetings
Date
Item
Action
Update
Actioned
Target Date
By
26/01/2022
Chief Executives Report
Write a letter of thanks on behalf of the board to Mike Burrows
Complete
CS
Complete
14/02/2022
Growing Places Fund loan
The prospectus detailing to the project to be circulated to board members when
Circulated 15th March
ID
Complete
Request, One Farm -
available
Confidential
8
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 6
Agri-Food Industry Council Report
Author: James Allen
Presenter: James Allen, Corrienne Peasgood
Summary
This paper provides an update on the Agri-Food Industry Council, a sub-group of New Anglia
LEP.
Recommendations
The Board is invited to:
Note the contents of the paper and sub-board report (Appendix A)
Note the progress made on strategic sector plans
Background
In 2019 the LEP convened three Industry Councils to drive forward the aspirations of the
draft Local Industrial Strategy in the three strategic areas of energy, agri-food and digital.
The Agri-Food Industry Council (AFIC) was established as a strategic public/private sector
partnership group to provide a focus for decision making and leadership for the agri-food
sector. The AFIC acts as the LEP’s sector group and provides the strategic direction in
delivering the aspiration to be recognised as a leading agri-food region.
Members of the AFIC are drawn from across the agri-food sector in Norfolk and Suffolk and
include representatives of food and drink businesses, farmers, farmer & landowner
organisations, research institutions, utility companies, academia, show societies and other
representatives from the private sector. The AFIC is chaired by Corrienne Peasgood OBE,
Principal of City College Norwich. The LEP works closely with the regional partnership
organisation Agri-Tech E in delivering activities related to the AFIC.
Agri-Food Industry Council: objectives and delivery
The AFIC developed a delivery plan which outlines a set of strategic objectives (below) and
scope of work which support the delivery of the previous Economic Strategy and Local
Industrial Strategy. Those objectives will be updated with a new delivery plan to incorporate
the new Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk.
1.
Supporting business recovery, promoting long term growth, and ensuring
business resilience.
2.
Explore ways of attracting inward investment to increase the volume and value
of food processing within Norfolk & Suffolk.
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3.
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.
4.
Support the development of a Food Innovation Centre based at the Food
Enterprise Park at Honingham Thorpe in Norwich, to deliver regional business
growth through innovation, productivity, processing. Also support the further
development of the wider Norwich Food Enterprise Park.
5.
Develop a world-leading hub for plant and microbial research at the Norwich
Research Park.
6.
Understanding, supporting and developing the Clean Growth agenda for the
agri-food value chain.
7.
Enabling Growth in the New Anglia Agri-food sector through skills development.
Of particular note is the progress made with the following activities:
Broadland Food Innovation Centre: Despite some delays due to the high winds,
the new innovation centre is expected to open on time with a topping out event
planned for 29 March. Brown & Co report that they are on track to convert 3 enquiries
into contracts with a pipeline of interest from other parties. An invitation-only soft
launch breakfast tour has been planned for 31 March to hopefully progress these
enquiries. A second tour event may be planned for May if there is significant interest.
Hethel have appointed a Food Business Advisor and UEA a Cluster Manager. With
the process now established the project is currently supporting 6 businesses, with a
cluster of over 25 members. This is behind target but expected to pick up quickly as
marketing, communications and events activities take place. The project team is
seeking to sign up more experts to the Dynamic Purchasing System to offer
consultancy services and has updated a slide deck to help promote the opportunity.
OneFarm: The £2.5m loan from Growing Places Fund has been announced to
support OneFarm create one of the largest vertical farms in the UK at Newmarket
Business Park. The first phase of the project would involve producing an estimated
415 tonnes of vegetables a year from 6,400sq m of indoor vertical growing space.
Regional Agri-Food Narrative: The LEP has been working closely with Greater
Lincolnshire LEP and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. The
regional narrative was launched during Agri-Tech week in November in collaboration
with Agri-Tech E. It showcases the combined assets and strength of the agri-food
sector and sets the path for focused collaboration.
Department for International Trade (DIT): The LEP has worked with DIT and
partners to set out Norfolk and Suffolk’s agri-tech proposition, as DIT seeks to
develop a client-facing proposition on agri-tech. In addition, the successful round 2
application to the high potential opportunity (HPO) programme is being worked up
around the following proposition: ‘An opportunity to enter the nutritious food market to
meet growing demand for products that improve physical and cognitive health by
developing new food innovations using Norfolk and Suffolk’s cutting-edge plant
science and agri-food expertise, infrastructure and assets.’
Skills: The local skills report published in January examines the demand for skills in
Norfolk and Suffolk’s agri-food sector and how that might be met. Locally the skills
system is good at meeting FE and postgraduate training needs but has a significant
deficit in undergraduate skills provision. City College Norwich has been consulting
representatives from the sector in order to develop the curriculum delivered locally.
This initial project funding has been provided by Norfolk County Council. Work is
being carried out as part of the ESF Curriculum Development programme which
looks at the curriculum for 5 of our key sectors to ensure local provision is fit for
purpose for employers in the region. The agriculture strand is focusing on the T Level
which rolls out in September 2023. The agri-food skills group has monitored the
situation regarding sector labour and skills shortages and in October led the collation
2
11
and submission of evidence to the EFRA Select Committee inquiry. The LEP is
working with Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils to develop skills bootcamps and
the sector may be able to utilise ‘Green Skills - Green Protection of Natural
Resources’ if they come forward.
Council members have reported the following challenges for the sector in their State of the
Nation updates and contributions to the business intelligence:
 Partners are pushing for a rural ringfenced fund under the Shared Prosperity Fund.
 Farming rules for water is still an issue.
 Labour issues are still ongoing across all sectors - not just livestock and vegetable
growers, but also affecting members with diversified businesses such as cleaners
and waiting staff in farm shops.
 Mental health concerns continue to be an issue, particularly around isolation.
 Defra’s Farming Innovate Programme has been oversubscribed and it is likely that
there will be some great projects that do not make the cut. There could be an
opportunity to support these in the region.
 Conversations were held with customers to try and negotiate multi-year fixed-price
contracts due to inflationary pressures, but this was prior to the war in Ukraine and
further negotiations may be required.
 One business reported losing c.£1m in export orders (with an annual export order
book of £12m) since the war started, with orders such as combine harvesters left in
their yard and examples of lost deals where the machinery was to be sold on to
Belarus.
 Concerns were expressed that the pressures and volatility of trading could force
businesses into short-term decisions which are no longer parallel to longer-term
objectives like Net Zero and regenerative agriculture policies.
 Businesses shared some of their decarbonisation plans to assist with the Road to
Net Zero Business Support Programme. These included the Food Enterprise Park’s
plans to be the first completely renewables powered food park in the country;
reducing the use of fertiliser; and supporting with regenerative agriculture through the
capture of data to allow them to make data-informed decisions.
Looking Ahead
The Council will ensure that business intelligence input from the sector continues to be fed
back to Government by the LEP in the monthly business intelligence returns. This includes
the impact of the current situation in Ukraine, given increased commodity prices. Agri-Tech E
supports this business intelligence work with a sectoral update at the end of each month.
Council members have been asked to lead on the priority areas for action / intervention in
the Economic Strategy to update the AFIC Delivery Plan.
The LEP and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils are keen to get some cohorts ready for
new entrants and upskilling the existing workforce to develop and deliver a successful
programme for the skills bootcamps.
The Space Sector Plan for Norfolk and Suffolk will set out the major opportunities from the
use of satellite applications to drive innovation in the agri-food sector.
Recommendations
The Board is invited to:
 Note the contents of the paper and sub-board report (Appendix A)
 Note the progress made on strategic sector plans
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Appendix A
Sub- Board Reporting
Sub-Board:
Agri-Food Industry Council
Representatives:
LEP Board: Corrienne Peasgood
LEP Team: James Allen
Meeting Frequency:
Quarterly
Key Objectives and their
Update on actions / activity
Next Steps
link to the NSES and LIS
NSES: Our Offer to the
The LEP has been working closely with Greater Lincolnshire LEP and
-
Continue to support the inward
World
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and launched a
investment team feeding in relevant
LIS: Agri-Food
regional narrative seeking greater government recognition, showcasing our
information to inform propositions.
combined strengths around our research institutions, automation and digital,
-
Promotion of DIT HPO.
Collaborate with
supporting the transition to net zero, and diet and health. This document
-
Produce a detailed list of relevant
partners including
was launched during Agri-Tech week. The narrative has clear commitments
conferences taking place in a range of
Lincolnshire,
and asks such as collectively promoting major inward investment
geographies during 2021 (& 2022),
Cambridgeshire and
opportunities in the wider region; assisting the sector in realising
together with a costed plan for which
Peterborough leveraging
opportunities linked to net zero; and supporting key projects such as the
types of businesses we would expect to
the existing strengths of
Agri-Food Robotics Centre for Doctoral Training partnership and the
attend each event.
Agri-TechE to realise the
regional partnership between agri-tech active universities CERES.
-
AFIC to identify new projects / support
collective power as the
programmes / initiatives to enhance the
UK centre for hi-tech,
The LEP, together with Agri-Tech E, has pulled together Norfolk and Suffolk
regional collaboration with
precision agriculture
specific information for the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) call for
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and
and food production
evidence to develop their agri-tech proposition.
Lincolnshire.
New Anglia LEP was successful in its round 2 application to DIT’s High
Potential Opportunity (HPO) programme with the following project
proposition: ‘An opportunity to enter the nutritious food market to meet
growing demand for products that improve physical and cognitive health by
developing new food innovations using Norfolk and Suffolk’s cutting-edge
plant science and agri-food expertise, infrastructure and assets.’ A DIT led
workshop took place in the summer of 2021 to refine the specific
commercial opportunity that will be showcased through the HPO (drawing
out the unique strands which generate commercial demand) and building
the detailed enabling case that underpins the opportunity (including
information on skills and talent, R&D capability, cluster, cost base and soft-
landing support). Partners are currently working through actions from the
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workshop, which will be provided to DIT who are developing the proposition
slides.
Through the Savills Rural project, a set of outputs has been delivered:
1. Competitive Advantage: a strategic review of unique agri-
food offering of Norfolk and Suffolk including a detailed summary
of the primary outputs and food chain actors.
2. The Norfolk and Suffolk research base: mapping the regional agri-
food research capability (both private sector and public sector)
3. Role and influence of food trends - a detailed analysis of
the potential market opportunity of key crops related to emerging
agri-food trends relevant to Norfolk and Suffolk
4. A revived regional food offer: initial research into whether a new
(or revived) ‘regional food offer' would be advantageous to the
Norfolk and Suffolk agri-food economy, with analysis of three major
regional food initiatives.
5. A narrated database of 200+ noteworthy Norfolk and Suffolk agri-
food businesses developed to provide rich understanding of the
region’s specialisms and strengths.
The report was primarily an evidence base, and granular examination of the
sector to inform our work across the board, but recommendations included -
 Suggestions of new crop and other commercialisation developments
which could be explored
 Ideas for encouraging processors to source more raw materials locally
 Developing the potential of the A14 corridor as a focus for food sector
investment
 Supporting artisan producers with signposting to advice on distribution
and marketing tools to grow
 Suggestions for widening the view of innovation opportunities in the
agrifood sector to include tech and engineering sectors in new thinking.
 Next steps in exploring the potential for regional branding and marketing
if we decide to do so.
NSES: Collaborating to
The AFIC has informed the LEP’s weekly (now monthly) business
-
Continuing to enhance the intelligence we
Grow
intelligence submissions to Government and the Economic Strategy for
have for the agri-food sector, capturing
LIS: Agri-Food
Norfolk and Suffolk. We continue to develop knowledge of short- and
relevant global events and supporting
14
medium-term challenges for the sector arising from both the UK’s exit from
Government and local partners to assist
Supporting business
and transition away from EU membership and its recovery from the COVID-
the sector where relevant.
recovery, promoting
19 pandemic.
-
Improve and develop engagement with
long term growth and
the fishing sector
ensuring business
-
Regular ‘State of the Nation’ updates at Council meetings provide rich
-
Develop ideas for a sector conference to
resilience
intelligence which feed in to the LEP’s return for Government.
bring interested businesses together to
-
Support for key initiatives including Call 4 Fish and Flavour
discuss project ideas, sector needs,
Connexions which provided a ‘match making’ service to food and drink
innovation opportunities, etc.
firms and seafood suppliers find buyers for their produce during the
Coronavirus lockdown.
-
Cluster Managers have been appointed for the Food Innovation Centre
by Hethel Innovation and UEA. This will support the rich flavour of
intelligence from the sector.
Delivered a survey of agri-food businesses which received a disappointing
response rate (26 responses). Further business engagement / intelligence
will be channelled via the Food Innovation Centre project and AFIC
members will discuss the potential approach for them to act as
ambassadors and capturing intelligence from businesses in the sector.
LIS: Agri-Food
Supporting and informing the development of the Food Innovation Centre,
-
The Food Innovation Centre project will
NSES: Driving Business
with a particular focus on -
continue to be a focus for main Council
Growth and Productivity
meetings, as well as receiving support
 Suggesting themes and approaches for the support programme that will
and specialist advice from the business
be welcomed by businesses in the sector.
intelligence and inward investment sub-
 Engaging businesses to enable the project team to generate a pipeline
groups of the Council.
of businesses seeking support.
-
Linking up the Food Enterprise Zone sites
 Working with UEA and other partners to support and encourage the
across Norfolk and Suffolk to support
collaboration and learn the live lessons
development of an innovation cluster of food businesses as part of the
project.
from the Food Innovation Centre.
-
The Food Innovation Centre will sit on the
Connected Innovation Project (building on
The Council receives regular updates on the progress of the Food
Innovation Centre from public and private partners involved in the project.
current links).
The project is being profiled through the Connected Innovation network, with
video and marketing content pulled together by capsule marketing.
LIS: Agri-Food
The agri-food skills group has monitored the situation regarding sector
-
The group will play a key role in
NSES: Skills
labour and skills shortages and in October led the collation and submission
supporting the labour needs of the sector,
of evidence to the EFRA Select Committee inquiry.
highlighting successes as well as
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Enabling Growth in the
The local skills report published in January examines the demand for skills
reporting on issues and gaps where
New Anglia Agri-food
in Norfolk and Suffolk’s agri-food sector and how that might be met.
further support is needed.
sector through Skills
-
The LEP and Norfolk and Suffolk County
Development
The Norfolk and Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival was held at the Norfolk
Councils are keen to get some cohorts
Showground on 9-10 March with a record 7,000 young people booked to
developed for new entrants and upskilling
attend the event organised by a coalition of organisations including the
the existing workforce to deliver a
Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) and the Suffolk Agricultural
successful programme for the skills
Association (SAA). There was a direct appeal made for agri-food firms to
bootcamps.
attend the festival.
City College Norwich has been consulting representatives from the sector in
order to develop the curriculum delivered locally. This initial project funding
has been provided by Norfolk County Council. Work is being carried out as
part of the ESF Curriculum Development programme which looks at the
curriculum for 5 of our key sectors to ensure local provision is fit for purpose
for employers in the region. The agriculture strand is focusing on the T Level
which rolls out in September 2023..
Suffolk Rural held a ‘big day out’ in June to showcase the sector and
campus facilities.
Under the workforce development programme, engaging and
communicating with initiatives that support this objective such as:
 New Anglia LEP and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils put in a
bid to deliver skills bootcamps and the sector can utilise ‘Green Skills
- Green Protection of Natural Resources’.
 Skills Support for the Workforce, the ESF programme delivered by
Steadfast Training involved in upskilling the workforce and
supporting those at risk or recently made redundant.
 The Supply Chain Skills Development Fund which will offer local
SMEs within Norfolk and Suffolk a flexible fund for training which will
benefit both individual employees and your organisation.
 In-Career Education and Training (ICET), the training enterprise,
funded by the University of Suffolk and ESF.
 Various apprenticeships programmes, such as the levy sharing work;
Recruit, Retain, Reward; Insight Apprentice; and the Employer
Training Incentive Programme (ETIP).
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LIS: Agri-Food
In August, working with AgriTechE a list of potential ‘transformational’
-
Updating the Delivery Plan to reflect the
NSES: Collaborating to
projects was developed - initiatives with the potential to make a substantial
Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk
Grow
difference to the agri-food sector, and its businesses, in respect of recovery
and future funding opportunities.
and growth following the difficulties presented by Covid-19.
Develop a prioritised list of
transformational projects
This work was delegated to the Transformational Projects sub-group who
which will make a real
were tasked with developing a set of projects to outline business case to be
impact on the
submitted for consideration with future funding opportunities.
environment, and agri-
food economy in Norfolk &
Ideas should translate into the new and updated Delivery Plan for the AFIC
Suffolk.
and take into account various funding opportunities such as the UK shared
prosperity fund, Defra programmes, etc.
NSES: Collaborating to
Belinda Clarke from AgriTechE presented at the Innovation Board in 2021
-
Will continue to strengthen links with Agri-
Grow
on the Agri-Food Industry Council, innovation priorities for industry and the
food and Energy, Digital and Energy, as
LIS: Clean Growth
opportunities to harness cross-sector innovation. Regular meetings took
well as Agri-food and Digital.
place throughout 2021 with Industry Council chairs and the chair of the
-
Opportunities for this include onshore
Improved dialogue &
Innovation Board to ensure we take a more holistic approach to innovation
renewables; agri-tech; and even linking in
interaction between the
and skills.
with developments around opportunities
AFC & its equivalents
such as hydrogen.
including the Digital Tech
Council, All Energy
Industry Council, and
Innovation Board.
17
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 7
LEP Business Plan 22/23
Author: Rosanne Wijnberg
Presenter: Rosanne Wijnberg
Summary
This paper seeks agreement for a new LEP Business Plan for 22/23 which can be found here.
The New Anglia LEP Business Plan 22/23 provides a plan which will be a useful tool for the
board and wider stakeholders by providing a concise outline of the main objectives, initiatives,
and targets of the LEP over the coming 12 months.
Recommendation
The LEP Board is asked to approve the Business Plan and delegate authority for final sign-off
to the LEP CEO and COO. Final amendments will include the update of the numbers post year
end, and small changes to the text to incorporate any Management Committee and Board
feedback.
Background
One of the key actions from the Government’s 2018 Review of LEPs is the requirement of all
LEPs to produce a Delivery Plan.
Previous guidance required that the Delivery Plan be completed by the end of April (in draft)
and published on our website by 1st May. In the absence of further guidance from government,
we have produced a Business Plan and will publish in line with previous years.
Given that we do not have a LEP Board meeting scheduled in April, we are seeking approval
for the approach we have taken and the narrative. We will then update the numbers after the
end of the financial year and finalise the design elements of the Business Plan.
Our Approach
Our plan is to produce a document which satisfies the Government’s requirements but is also a
useful document for the board and wider stakeholders, by providing a concise outline of the
main objectives, initiatives, and targets of the LEP over the coming 12 months.
The Business Plan will build on the five strategic objectives agreed by the board at its January
meeting. These are:
1. Business support and innovation
2. Labour market and skills
3. Supporting place
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4. Nationally significant projects
5. Future role of the LEP
The Business Plan outlines how we will be delivering our strategic priorities and outputs from
April 2022 to March 2023.
It covers our key strategic initiatives for the year, our partnership work and the full range of the
programmes directly delivered by the LEP.
Accompanying the Business Plan is an update on our 22/23 Operating Budget - agenda item 9.
Recommendation
The LEP Board is asked to approve the Business Plan and delegate authority for final sign-off
to the LEP CEO and COO. Final amendments will include the update of the numbers post year
end, and small changes to the text to incorporate any Management Committee and Board
feedback.
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19
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 8
New Anglia LEP Governance: Local Assurance Framework, Accountable Body
Agreement, Scheme of Delegation
Author: Melanie Richardson
Presenter: Rosanne Wijnberg
Summary
The LEP’s Assurance Framework, Scheme of Delegation and Accountable Body Agreement
with Suffolk County Council have all been updated, to ensure they are in line with Government
guidance and that all the information contained in them is accurate and up to date.
Recommendation
The Board is recommended to approve and adopt the:
-
2022 Local Assurance Framework,
-
Scheme of Delegation,
-
Accountable Body Agreement.
Background
New Anglia LEP’s Local Assurance Framework follows the mandatory requirements and
additional best practice guidance set out in the Government’s National Local Growth Assurance
Framework, which seeks to provide a common framework of understanding of the assurance
required for local growth funding.
The National Local Growth Assurance Framework explains how places should appraise,
monitor and evaluate schemes to achieve value for money. It provides Government,
stakeholders and the public the necessary assurances that LEPs have the policies and
processes in place to ensure the robust stewardship of public funds. It contains mandatory
governance, accountability and transparency requirements and non-mandatory best practice.
New Anglia LEP’s Scheme of Delegation sets out the main responsibilities and functions of
the organisation and the level to which they have been delegated. It is a requirement of the
National Local Growth Assurance Framework for the LEP to have a comprehensive Scheme of
Delegation which is reviewed and updated annually.
The Accountable Body Agreement is a key element of the LEP’s Governance arrangements,
alongside the Articles of Association, the Assurance Framework and Scheme of Delegation. It
sets out the respective roles of the LEP and Suffolk County Council as the Accountable Body.
Key Considerations
The draft 2022 Local Assurance Framework can be viewed here. The main revisions are to
incorporate the new Road to Net Zero grant scheme and to include the LEP monitoring and
reporting of programmes coming to an end 31/3/22. There are also some minor updates to
policies and practices adopted by the LEP. To facilitate review we have highlighted these
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changes in yellow. Links in blue are to be updated after approval of supporting
documents/when uploaded to our website.
The Scheme of Delegation is attached at Appendix 1. Note that the Scheme of Delegation
reflects a number of programmes which are coming to an end - the Growing Business Fund
and the Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme. There will be a requirement to update the
Scheme of Delegation when we have more information on the future of LEPs. Reference to the
new Economic Strategy has been included. Changes are highlighted in yellow.
The Accountable Body Agreement is attached at Appendix 2. Changes are highlighted in
yellow.
The Scheme of Delegation and Accountable Body Agreement have been reviewed by the Audit
and Risk Committee.
Monitoring Compliance
The National Local Growth Assurance Framework checklist provides the basis for our
compliance monitoring arrangements.
An owner has been assigned to each area and is accountable for compliance. This is monitored
on a quarterly basis and reported to the Audit and Risk Committee.
Any updates to the documents required for example by Government policy changes or the
introduction of new programmes will be reported to the LEP board for consideration.
Next Steps
The approved documents will be dated and loaded onto the LEP website.
Recommendation
The Board is recommended to approve and adopt the:
-
2022 Local Assurance Framework
-
Scheme of Delegation
-
Accountable Body Agreement
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Appendix 1
New Anglia LEP Scheme of Delegation
Context
The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership is company limited by guarantee, with
18 voluntary directors, supported by a full-time executive team.
This scheme of delegation sets out the main responsibilities and functions of the
organisation and the level to which they have been delegated.
The scheme of delegation is part of a suite of LEP governance documents including:
Local Assurance Framework, Articles of Association, terms of reference for sub-
boards and sub-committees, and agreement between Suffolk County Council
(accountable body) and the LEP.
The scheme of delegation is reviewed annually and changes require board approval.
Any decision taken in contravention of this scheme of delegation will be deemed
invalid.
Key responsibilities of the LEP Board
The board is responsible for:
 Approving the strategic direction of the LEP
 Agreeing clear objectives to focus activity and drive ambition
 Ensuring the LEP runs efficiently and effectively with appropriate controls in
place covering performance, finance and risk
 Upholding the values, ethos and culture of the organisation
Key responsibilities of the Accountable Body:
 The Section 151 Officer or their appointed deputy is a core member of the
Audit and Risk Committee.
 The Section 151 Officer is accountable for approving all Growth Deal and
Getting Building Fund grant agreements, and delegates authority to a suitable
team member for approval of grants awarded under other LEP programmes.
Last Updated: March 2022, confirmed at the LEP Board on 30th March 2022.
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Scheme of Delegation
Issue
Delegated To
Strategy
Vision, mission and values
Board
Development and approval of the Economic Strategy
Board
Implementation of the Economic Strategy
Board (on recommendations
from relevant sub-boards)
Changes to the overall operating structure of the LEP
Board
Approval of the LEP’s brand
Board
Programmes
Design of capital and revenue funding programmes
Board (on recommendations
from Investment Appraisal
Committee and relevant sub-
boards)
Awarding of capital or revenue funding to programmes
Board (on recommendations
above £500k
from IAC)
Awarding of capital or revenue funding to programmes
IAC
£500k or below
Awards from Growing Business Fund up to £500k
GBF panel (overseen by the
IAC)
Awards from Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme
Two of CEO/COO/Head of
up to £50k
Programmes
In programme funding changes above £100,000
Board
In programme funding changes up to £100,000
IAC
In programme funding changes up to £25,000
CEO - reported retrospectively
to board quarterly
Change requests from programmes/projects with no
financial implications but major changes to outputs or
CEO - reported retrospectively
timeline
to board quarterly
Change requests from programmes/projects with no
CEO - reported retrospectively
financial implications but minor changes to outputs or
to the Board quarterly
timeline
Governance
Responsibility for compliance with Government
Chair and CEO
National Assurance Framework
Board
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Annual declaration of compliance to Government
Suffolk County Council 151
Officer
Maintenance of Register of Interests
Board and CEO
Timely publication of agendas, reports and minutes
Chair, CEO and COO
Committee and Delivery Board appointments
Board
Code of conduct, Complaints and Whistleblowing policies
Board
Finance
Approval of financial budgets and forecasts
Board
Approval of annual accounts and financial statement and
Board on recommendation
audit letter of representation
from Audit and Risk
Committee
Bank account mandate, treasury management and bank
In conjunction with Suffolk
investment arrangements
County Council (via our
Accountable Body Agreement)
Prior authorised expenditure for day-to-day business, in
accordance with strategy budget and approved policies:
 Over £150,000
Board
 Between £50,000 and £150,000
Chair and CEO or COO
 Up to £50,000
CEO and COO
Human Resources
Performance management and remuneration of CEO
Chair and Remuneration
Committee
Recruitment of board members
Board (with recommendations
from sub panel comprising
board members)
Recruitment of CEO
Board (with recommendations
from sub panel comprising
board members)
Operational procedures and policies for Leadership team
COO in conjunction with CEO
and below
and Leadership team
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Appendix 2
THIS ACCOUNTABLE BODY AGREEMENT (ABA) IS MADE ON 24th February
2015 BETWEEN
(1) NEW ANGLIA LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP of Centrum, Norwich
Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UG (New Anglia LEP) and
(2) SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL of Endeavour House 8 Russell Road
Ipswich IP1 2BX (SCC)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1
The purpose of this ABA is to set out the framework for respective roles and
responsibilities of New Anglia LEP as the organisation which has
responsibility for making decisions on the project activity that the various
funds set out at clause 2.2 below will support, along with other funding arising
out of the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy, and SCC (as the
organisation taking on the role of “Accountable Body” for New Anglia LEP and
the funds set out at clause 2.2 below) who will have responsibility for ensuring
that such decisions meet the legal, regulatory and funding criteria applicable
at the time of decision and during the period of the project activity.
2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
2.1
New Anglia LEP has been established to work with businesses and partners
across the education, voluntary and public sector, to help grow jobs in Norfolk
and Suffolk.
2.2
New Anglia LEP and SCC have developed in line with Government guidance
a single assurance framework (“Assurance Framework”) covering all
Government funding flowing through New Anglia LEP, to ensure New Anglia
LEP has robust value for money processes in place. The purpose of the LEP
Assurance Framework is to support the developing confidence in delegating
funding from central budgets and programmes via a single pot mechanism to
LEPs and their accountable bodies. The Accountable Body is required to sign
off the Assurance Framework.
2.3
New Anglia LEP has responsibility for deciding the project activities that
Growth Deal funds will be allocated to which in this ABA, are referred to
collectively as “the Programme”. £290 million has been made available to
New Anglia LEP from 2014 to 2021 as part of the Government’s Growth Deal
programme, for which all 38 LEPs across England have been invited to
compete for an individual allocation. Growth Deals provide funds to local
enterprise partnerships or LEPs for projects and programmes that benefit the
local area and economy.
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25
2.3.1
The LEP has been allocated £32.1m from the Getting Building Fund for a wide-
ranging package of infrastructure projects, for delivery before March 2022.
2.4
New Anglia LEP’s particular objectives for the Programmes can be found in
the relevant chapter of the Assurance Framework and include:
2.4.1
The Growing Places Fund is a recycling loan fund which has been in operation in the
New Anglia region since 2012.
The fund was designed to address the problems facing stalled developments, by
providing financial support towards costs such as site infrastructure, services or
access.
The fund operates predominantly as a loan fund but has awarded small grants where
a regionally significant project can be delivered as a result and where the grant secures
a major match funding contribution. The Growing Places Fund is open to public and
private applicants.
2.4.2
The Growing Business Fund is a grant fund which has been in operation in the New
Anglia region since April 2013. The Fund provides grants between £25,000 and
£500,000 to local businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk.
2.4.3
The Small Grant Scheme is a grant fund that has been in operation in the New Anglia
region since August 2013. The programme is currently part of New Anglia Business
Growth Programme supported from the European Regional Development Fund. It
provides grants between £1,000 and £25,000 to local businesses across Norfolk and
Suffolk.
The programme supports SMEs through the provision of grants to assist them to
grow and expand, employ new staff, introduce new products and services, improve
productivity or efficiency, increase their competitiveness etc.
Small businesses employing less than 50 people may apply for up to 20% of the
costs of the project under General Block Exemption Regulations (GBER) Articles 14,
17, 18 and 19. Medium sized businesses may apply for funding of up to 10% towards
the project cost or 20% if regulated by De Minimis regulations (EUR 200,000 is a
maximum amount of all De minimis aid a business may receive over a 3 year fiscal
period).
2.4.4
The Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme has been established to support
businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the economic recovery. It will
provide grants to support short-term business resilience projects and longer-term
recovery and diversification projects. The fund provides grants between £25,000 and
£50,000.
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3. TERM AND TERMINATION OF ABA
3.1
This ABA, once signed by both parties, will be deemed to have come into effect
on 7th July 2014 and will continue in place until 31 March 2023 unless it is
terminated in accordance with the other provisions of clause 3. The ABA can
be extended beyond 31 March 2023 if agreed by both parties. There will also
be a ‘light touch’ review each year to allow discussion of progress reported to
the Audit and Risk Committee and early discussion of any changes necessary
in the changing landscape of LEP funding and programming.
3.2
Subject to clauses 3.3 and 3.4 if, at any time during the term of this ABA, either
party wishes to bring the ABA to an end, the following consultation and notice
procedures shall apply:
(a) the party proposing to terminate the ABA must consult the other party about
the termination in good time and in any event, at least, nine months before the
proposed termination of the ABA,
(b) the party terminating the ABA must give at least six months’ written notice
to the other party,
3.3
If a party to the ABA commits a material breach of any term of the ABA, the
other party may send a written notice to the breaching party, setting out the
nature of the breach and the required remedy and giving not less than three
months’ notice to remedy the breach. If the breach has not been remedied at
the end of the notice period, then the party who served the notice may serve a
further notice of two months, terminating the ABA.
3.4
Where the operative period for a Programme comes to an end or the funding
under the Programme ceases, this ABA shall terminate in part in relation to that
Programme.
3.5
In any circumstance where this ABA terminates in whole or in part, and without
prejudice to any other rights or remedies the parties may have, the parties must
use their best endeavours to have in place, from the date of termination of the
ABA or the relevant part of the ABA, arrangements for transferring existing
agreements and liabilities, for example under the various grant and loan
agreements that SCC will have entered into on behalf of New Anglia LEP, to a
replacement Accountable Body.
3.6
Where it is not possible for existing agreements and liabilities to be transferred
(or it is agreed that they shall not transfer) and as a result SCC retains some or
all of such liabilities, New Anglia LEP shall indemnify SCC against those
liabilities and shall provide sufficient funding for SCC to meet those liabilities
e.g. under grant and loan agreements.
3.7
New Anglia LEP shall indemnify SCC against any financial costs or liabilities
incurred, including but not limited to redundancy costs, on the termination of the
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27
ABA in whole or in part except where termination takes place under clause 3.3
as a result of an un-remedied breach by SCC.
AGREEMENT
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NEW ANGLIA LOCAL ENTERPRISE
PARTNERSHIP
New Anglia LEP shall:
4.1.
Comply with all the regulations and guidance notes from the Department for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities , Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy, and other relevant funding bodies including but not
exhaustively: state aid regulations, relevant departmental funding criteria and
the wider regulatory framework for the funds included in this agreement
ensuring that funds are used appropriately, and in a manner that is consistent
with the contents of any offer letters from government.
4.2.
Decide the economic growth priorities and strategies for the Programme and
the overall grant allocations in line with the initial submission and the funding
agreement for the Programme.
4.3.
Approve and submit to SCC an annual delivery plan of planned expenditure
and outcome and output targets - this may take the form of a copy of any such
report sent to the LEP Board.
4.4.
Strive to achieve all the outputs and key indicators set out in the delivery plan
for the Programmes and produce an annual progress report as required by the
funding bodies.
4.5.
Develop close working links and joint working arrangements with SCC, other
Local Enterprise Partnerships and other relevant bodies as appropriate.
4.6.
Set up appropriate consultation procedures, business involvement and
membership of New Anglia LEP’s Board to facilitate the development and
implementation of the Programmes.
4.7.
Have in place appropriate processes with funding guidelines and criteria and
make decisions about the approval of projects in accordance with the guidelines
and criteria. This is subject to the requirements of the relevant funding body
and should be in line with the regulatory and legal framework for the funding
after considering any recommendations from SCC. This will include an
appropriate risk appraisal and management process.
4.8.
Agree with SCC and implement policies and procedures for ensuring value for
money in the use of funds, whether by New Anglia LEP or by the organisations
which are funded through the Programmes. This will include the establishment
of and compliance with appropriate procedures relating to:
(a) competitive tendering and procurement where New Anglia LEP is
purchasing goods, services or works. and
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28
(b) the processes to be followed by organisations funded through the
Programmes, for example, by requiring competitive tendering of goods,
services or works funded through the Programmes where appropriate
In relation to (a), if SCC procures and enters into contracts for goods, services
or works for New Anglia LEP, then SCC procurement procedures will be
followed. New Anglia LEP is a contracting authority for the purposes of the
Public Contracts Regulations, so if New Anglia LEP procures and enters into
the contracts then it will do so in line with relevant EU procurement rules and
the internal procedures that are to be established under this clause.
4.9. Ensure that proper procedures exist for the regular monitoring of progress in
implementing the Programmes.
4.10. Evaluate the impact of the Programmes through appropriate measures, if
necessary agreed with SCC, to comply with relevant funders’ requirements.
4.11. Work with SCC in drafting and developing written procedures and appropriate
management, administration, finance and IT systems for the Programmes
covered by this ABA. New Anglia LEP will develop its own procedures which
are outside the scope of this ABA.
4.12.
Ensure that both New Anglia LEP and, to the extent that it is appropriate to the
nature of the relevant project those organisations to whom funding is provided,
have in place effective policies and procedures to:
I.
ensure equality of opportunity and diversity in employment of staff and
delivery of services. These should demonstrate how all parties will
comply with relevant equality legislation and respective Codes of
Practice. Evidence of the implementation of this policy shall be kept
available for inspection.
II.
ensure that all relevant legislation and guidance on state aid is complied
with.
III.
ensure open and transparent commissioning processes are used
including for the purchase of goods and services which adhere to
relevant legal procurement and commissioning processes. This
includes EU procurement rules where relevant.
IV.
ensure the health and safety of staff and service users in compliance
with relevant Health and Safety legislation.
V.
ensure where the project involves work with children and young people,
projects should have in place procedures for ensuring compliance with
relevant Children’s and Young Persons legislation.
VI.
ensure that, in the event of SCC receiving a complaint about New Anglia
LEP or a constituent project, the relevant party/ies is/are required to co-
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29
operate fully with them in the investigation and resolution of the
complaint, including complying with any recommendations arising from
such investigation.
VII.
respond to requests for information under Freedom of Information Act
1998 (FoI) and related legislation. If New Anglia LEP or SCC receive an
FoI request both parties shall provide such information as is required by
them to enable a full response to be made to the request within the
statutory time limit. It is accepted that New Anglia LEP is exempt from
FoI in the body of the legislation but the Assurance Framework issued
by BEIS makes it a requirement that New Anglia LEP complies with the
spirit of this legislation and New Anglia LEP confirms that it will do so. It
should be noted that applicants are currently advised that information
will be treated as commercially sensitive in the event of an FOI request
being received, although this cannot be guaranteed until the individual
circumstance arises.
VIII. comply with The General Data Protection Regulation.
4.13.
Co-operate with SCC or any external or internal auditors appointed and to make
available for inspection all documentation and provide responses to any queries
raised.
4.14.
Work with SCC to ensure value for money and probity are achieved in the
delivery of the Programmes and by individual projects.
4.15.
Ensure that any assistance given to an organisation by New Anglia LEP is
within the limits laid down by any obligation of the European Union or
appropriate funding organisation, and that all relevant procurement procedures
are met; should this not be the case, there will be reduction in, or repayment of,
grant.
4.16.
Make arrangements for the effective monitoring of individual projects within
procedures agreed with SCC and make any necessary changes to achieve
targets and the overall Programme.
4.17.
Ensure that accounts are maintained by relevant officers (particularly the
Finance and Governance Manager and the Finance Manager) from New Anglia
LEP.
4.18
Permit SCC to use the funds allocated to the LEP to carry out its Accountable
Body role, including the allocation of loan and grant funding to an SCC account
and shall permit SCC to retain such funding until such time as SCC’s obligations
under this ABA and any grant or loan or other agreements made as a result of
the ABA or SCC’s role as Accountable Body are discharged or transferred to a
third party”
4.19
Work with SCC on the creation of the local Assurance Framework and adhere
to its requirements.
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5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACCOUNTABLE BODY - SCC
SCC, through the Section 151 Officer, will have responsibility for ensuring that a local
Assurance Framework is in place, that it meets the standards set out in the LEP
Assurance Framework Guidance document, and that all funding decisions are made
in accordance with it.
SCC shall:
5.1
Ensure decisions and activities of New Anglia LEP conform with legal
requirements with regard to equalities, social value, environment, State Aid,
procurement
5.2
Ensure (through its Section 151 Officer) that the funds identified in para 2.2 are
used appropriately.
5.3
Ensure that the Assurance Framework is adhered to
5.4
Maintain the official record of New Anglia LEP proceedings and holding copies
of all relevant LEP documents related to LGF funding.
5.5
Having regard to its role as Accountable Body for the Programmes, have
responsibility for agreeing or challenging the decisions of the LEP, in the
context of legal, regulatory or funding criteria, when New Anglia LEP are
approving projects. To avoid doubt, as SCC is the Accountable Body, it may,
acting reasonably, decide that it is not appropriate to implement a New Anglia
LEP decision where:
it is unlawful
It contravenes relevant grant or funding guidelines or criteria
It is in breach of financial regulations
It is in breach of the Assurance Framework
It is in breach of any other relevant terms, requirements or policies imposed
on SCC or New Anglia LEP
or there is a significant risk of this. Where SCC considers this to be the case,
it will consult with New Anglia LEP to consider what amendments may be made
in order to address SCC’s concerns and where it is not possible to agree an
approach, the matter will be referred to dispute resolution in accordance with
clause 7.2.
5.6
Ensuring that there are arrangements for internal audit of funding allocated by
New Anglia LEP, at least equivalent to those in place for Local Authority spend.
5.6.1
Act as accountable body for the Programmes. The tasks undertaken by the
Accountable Body to fulfil this role are set out in the Assurance Framework, and
include financial management and overview of spend across all Programmes.
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31
5.6.2 Jointly with New Anglia LEP, ensure that value for money and probity is
achieved in the use of partnership funding and that all guidelines and
procedures as issued by funding bodies are complied with.
5.6.3 Recognise the demands and priorities of New Anglia LEP’s plans in setting its
corporate priorities.
5.6.4 Ensure that proper procedures exist for the regular monitoring of progress in
implementing the Programmes. Evaluate the impact of the Programmes
through appropriate measures, if necessary agreed with SCC, to comply with
relevant funders’ requirements.
5.6.5 Collate and submit to the relevant monitoring body interim and final claims for
relevant grant on behalf of New Anglia LEP, receive payment of funds and
arrange an independent audit of the final grant claim and internal audit of the
Programme.
5.6.6 Ensure that suitable financial and accounting procedures are in place for the
Programmes and ensure that arrangements are in place for the audit of the
claims and all systems and procedures including the approval and appraisal
processes of projects. Report any suspected irregularity or probity issues to the
relevant funding body, the New Anglia LEP Board and the Council.
5.6.7 Co-operate with New Anglia or any external auditors appointed and to make
available for inspection all documentation and provide responses to any queries
raised.
5.6.8
Be responsible for achieving the best return on New Anglia LEP funds in line
with an acceptable risk policy agreed by both parties through the Audit and Risk
Committee. New Anglia LEP will provide a funding profile to enable this to be
pursued effectively. SCC will sit on the Audit and Risk Committee which has
oversight of all the programmes within New Anglia LEP’s remit. SCC will
identify one member of staff within finance, to cover off financial and funding
issues.
5.6.9
In agreement with and with all necessary assistance from New Anglia LEP
make the following arrangements:
I.
in certain pre-agreed circumstances arrangements for the provision of
effective management and administration support to New Anglia LEP.
II.
make use of a grant and/or loan agreement and ancillary documents to
enter into a legally binding agreement with funding recipients in relation
to the Programmes.
III.
prepare and submit any financial and non-financial information required
from New Anglia LEP by the funding bodies.
IV.
maintain any required financial management systems and supporting
documentation up to the end date of the Programmes, and then to
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32
transfer all such documents to an appropriate storage location as
required by the relevant funding body
V.
authorise the release of funding in accordance with the requirements of
the relevant funding body.
5.10 Work with New Anglia LEP in drafting and developing written procedures and
appropriate management, administration, finance and IT systems for the
Programmes covered by this ABA. New Anglia LEP will develop its own
procedures which are outside the scope of this ABA.
6. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
New Anglia LEP will make all arrangements for effective management and
administration support to the Programmes as necessary. SCC will be reimbursed for
the support it provides to manage and administer the individual Programmes. Where
possible some or all of the cost for conducting the accountable body role will be agreed
with SCC and included in the bid submission(s) on behalf of New Anglia LEP.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 AMENDMENTS
If either party wishes to amend this ABA during its term, the party shall submit details
of the proposed amendment in writing for consideration by both parties with a
commitment that agreement be reached within 21 days and where agreement to the
amendment is not reached in this period, the issue shall be referred for dispute
resolution in accordance with clause 7.2 below.
7.2 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Both parties shall attempt to resolve any disputes or differences by negotiating in good
faith, in the first instance through day to day consultation.
If they fail to resolve a dispute within 21 days from it arising, either party may refer the
matter for determination to a meeting of the following representatives of the parties:
SCC as Accountable Body - Assistant Director Strategic Development, or
alternative representative of the Accountable Body and
New Anglia LEP - Chair of Board, or Chief Executive
If the dispute is not resolved within 28 days of its referral to the above group, then the
parties agree to identify, within 14 days thereafter, a suitable independent third party
as an expert or as a facilitator of consideration of the dispute. The identity of this third
party may vary in order to provide the parties with flexibility to select a party who is
appropriate to the particular circumstances of the issue but by way of example, this
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33
may include another local authority, legal Counsel or a mediator. Once the parties
have agreed on a suitable third party, they will refer the matter to that third party within
14 days of agreement and will use their best endeavours to ensure that the dispute is
considered as quickly as possible thereafter and in any event, within 21 days of
referral. The parties will have the flexibility to decide on the terms of reference of the
relevant third party.
7.3 FAILURE TO DELIVER
SCC will have the right to take appropriate action in respect of a funding recipient, in
accordance with the terms of the funding recipient’s grant or loan agreement, including
withholding of payment as a result of any breach of the terms of the grant or loan
agreement and/or failure to take account of the regulatory or legal framework including
state aid guidance. Payment may be resumed once the failure has been remedied.
7.4 WAIVER
The failure or delay of either party in exercising any right or remedy in response to the
action or lack of action of the other party under the terms of this agreement will not
prevent them doing so at a later date nor operate as a waiver.
υτ
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7.5 CONFIDENTIALITY
Each party agrees to keep confidential such information as it may acquire from time
to time in relation to the other party where such information is by its nature confidential.
Neither party shall use the other’s confidential information for any purpose other than
to perform its obligations under this ABA. This shall not apply if both parties agree to
its disclosure or where disclosure is, in the opinion of the discloser, is necessary to
comply with the Data Protection Act 1988 or Freedom of Information Act 2000.
7.6 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This ABA is intended to be legally binding and shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with English law and, without affecting the dispute resolution procedure
set out in clause 7.2, each party agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of England and Wales.
7.7 NO PARTNERSHIP
Nothing in this ABA is intended to, or shall be deemed to; establish any partnership or
joint venture between the parties.
7.8 SIGNATURES
By signing this ABA both parties have agreed to the terms and conditions set out in
the ABA (including contribution to costs) under which SCC will undertake the
Accountable Body role.
Signed for and on behalf of
New Anglia Local Enterprise
Partnership by:
…………………………………………………..
Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP (Chris Starkie)
Signed for and on behalf of
Suffolk County Council by:
………………………………………………….
Authorised Signatory
Last Updated: March 2022, confirmed at the LEP Board on 30th March 2022.
υυ
35
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 10
Board and Committee Membership
Author: Rosanne Wijnberg
Summary
This paper summarises the requirements for a number of New Anglia boards and committees.
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
Remuneration Committee
-
Agree to the extension of term of the Remuneration Committee Chair.
-
Ratify the Committee membership.
Audit and Risk Committee / New Anglia capital Board
-
Contact Rosanne Wijnberg to indicate your interest in supporting.
Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee currently comprises the following members - Mark Jeffries
(Independent Chair), Jeanette Wheeler, Andrew Proctor. CJ Green attends the Remuneration
committee meetings in her capacity as Chair of the LEP Board. Mark Jeffries’ 5-year term expires
in April 2022. He has agreed to extend his term, in current circumstances, should the LEP Board
agree.
The LEP Board, at the request of the Remuneration Committee, is asked to:
-
Agree to the extension of term of the Remuneration Committee Chair.
-
Ratify the Committee membership.
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee currently comprises the following members - Nick Banks
(Independent Chair), Corrienne Peasgood, Stuart Dark, Holly Field
(Accountable Body
representative). We would like to invite an additional member of the LEP Board to join this
committee.
-
Contact Rosanne Wijnberg if you would be happy to support the A&R Committee.
New Anglia Capital Board
Andrew Proctor resigned from the New Anglia Capital Board at the end of last year. The NAC
Board currently comprises the following 5 board members - William (Bill) Jones, John Fuller, Ben
Luckett, Dominic Keen, Kathy Atkinson - of which at least two need to be LEP Board members.
We have previously had three representatives on the NAC Board and, whilst we remain compliant
with our current complement, it would be helpful to have another LEP representative on the NAC
Board.
-
Contact Rosanne Wijnberg to discuss NAC Board membership.
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38
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
Remuneration Committee
-
Agree to the extension of term of the Remuneration Committee Chair.
-
Ratify the Committee membership.
Audit and Risk Committee / New Anglia Capital Board
-
Contact Rosanne Wijnberg to indicate your interest in supporting.
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39
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 11
Chief Executive’s Report
Summary
This report focuses on by exception reporting on key issues and information for the board’s
attention.
Regular reports on the performance of individual LEP programmes are provided via programme
performance reports and issues which require board input or decisions are tabled as agenda items
in their own right.
The report is grouped under four headings - 1) LEP managed projects and programmes, 2) LEP
Industry councils and Sub-groups, 3) External Partnership Activity and 4) Governance and
Finance. For this month a 5th heading - LEP review has been added. The communications
dashboard is also attached as a separate appendix.
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
 Note the contents of the report
1) LEP Managed Projects and Programmes
Growing Places Fund update
Overall commitment of funds through the Growing Places Fund now stands at £40million, including
both loans and grants. This has attracted over £300 million of match funding from the private and
public sectors to innovative developments in business, infrastructure, socio economic, culture,
heritage and environment.
The pandemic slowed the development of many capital projects funded by the LEPs Growing
Places Fund, but the pace of work and completion has now picked up. The following are some of
the highlights of recent GPF projects:
In Sudbury work has started on St Peters Church, in the middle of the market square. This project,
funded by the Lottery Heritage Fund and the LEP, will see the conversion of the church into a new
community venue in the centre of Sudbury.
The Southwold Community Enterprise Hub will be opening its doors in May of this year. The
project has successfully attracted over £1million of funding following the LEPs commitment of
£250k.
Large Company Grants have been successfully drawn down to support research, development,
and training by Lotus at their new plant and training academy in Norwich and by Thurne Middleby
at their food production plant in Norfolk.
Gainsborough’s House Museum is on the verge of completing a highly innovative new museum,
exhibition and events building in Sudbury. This will be one of the most exciting exhibition spaces in
the East of England. The opening is planned for this Spring.
The Museum of East Anglia Life is just embarking on capital works to improve and enhance the
facilities at the museum and to assist in a pivoting of the museums content and brand. LEP funding
of £100k has been matched by the Arts Council, the project will be completed in 2022.
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40
The new Suffolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Carlton Marshes in Lowestoft has been shortlisted
for a RIBA East Design Award, while the nature reserve has proved to be hugely popular with local
people and their families, particularly as an important local environmental asset for people during
the pandemic. The LEP helped to “prime fund” a successful £10million fundraising campaign for
this development.
C-Care and Road to Net Zero Projects - Challenge Funds
This month the LEP and partners from Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils have awarded projects
in both counties to the C-CARE and Road to Net Zero Challenge Funds.
Projects are as follows:
C-Care (re-set and re-design: developing blueprints for future town centres to improve long term
prospects for businesses and work on new ways to tackle social exclusion)
Framlingham: analysis of the barriers to using the town centre for young people/young
families and how these can be overcome through direct engagement
Stowmarket: a wayfinding feasibility study focussed on how visitors and the local
community explore, navigate, and discover Stowmarket town centre
Watton: The Middle Street public realm project phase of the ‘Reimagining Watton High
Street Programme’ is a key priority element of the Town’s Covid-response and
transformation activity
Wymondham: ascertain how best to refurbish and repurpose one of Wymondham’s most
attractive high street buildings located at 14 Middleton Street
Road to Net Zero (private sector solutions to public sector decarbonisation challenges)
 Ultra-Low Carbon Modular Technology Demonstrator at Adastral Park - Natural Building
Systems Ltd
Hethel: Rural SME cluster transport decarbonisation solutions - Mobilityways
 Feasibility study and business plan for an ESCO at Snetterton Business Park - EP
Consulting
 Hydrogen refuelling network for transport: Suffolk (early-stage feasibility) - Hydrogen East
2) LEP Industry Councils and Sub-groups
New Anglia Culture Board Manifesto - A new manifesto for the cultural sector has been
developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders and is due to be published in May.
The document entitled Culture Drives Impact has been prepared following an extremely
challenging two years for the sector which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The manifesto kickstarts a new period of renewal for the sector and represents stage 1 of a
process that will result in a regional strategy for 2024-28 which will ensure that this vitally important
sector thrives and flourishes in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The New Anglia Culture Board will be transitioning from its previous form and structure into a
broader, more diverse and representative body. The board will maintain close relationships with
current partners such as New Anglia LEP, Arts Council England and local government but will seek
stronger connections with education, health, third sector and industry partners.
The board will work with Government to put culture to the heart of the levelling up process and
sustainable well-being with a focus on the following objectives;
Culture Drives Impact;
-
Through collaboration within the cultural sector and other sectors,
-
By focussing on place: the distinctiveness of different areas across Norfolk and Suffolk,
each with a different set of needs and opportunities,
-
By embracing change: supporting people to fulfil their potential, giving hope and enhancing
quality of life, providing routes into employment in an inclusive economy.
Agri-Food Industry Council - separate paper and update provided within the Board pack
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Industry Council for Digital Tech - Neil Miles is stepping down as Chair of this industry council
following three years of successfully establishing the group and overseeing a number of key
initiatives relating to growing the network of innovation hubs and driving forward the digital skills
partnership.
A process to find a successor has been underway with nominations to be considered and agreed
at the Council for Digital Tech meeting on 24th March. A progress report on the council is
scheduled for the May LEP board.
3) External Partnership Activity
The Norfolk and Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival took place on March 9th and 10th at the Royal
Norfolk Showground. It was the first major careers festival in two years due to covid.
Approximately 7000 students attended from 62 schools with 14 from Suffolk following a greater join
up by the two agricultural associations and encouragement by the New Anglia Enterprise Adviser
Network.
There were over 70 stands showcasing our key sectors - many familiar faces but equally a number
of new businesses engaging notably a number of Visitor Economy businesses from North Norfolk
through a tie up with the ESF VENI programme.
The LEP supported the organisation of the event and we are in our final year of funding the
Festivals (£45,000 over 3 years). We also had a stand which focussed on agri-food and digital. We
had supported the agricultural associations to promote the event to the agri-food sector so there
was an enhanced presence. We backed this up with a flier to hand to students showing the
relevant businesses that were in attendance and a QR code with additional information about
some of the allied professional services.
The next Festival is being planned for October at Trinity Park.
The Norfolk and Suffolk Unlimited Inward Investment Campaign goes live - It is two and a
half years since the launch of Norfolk and Suffolk Unlimited and whilst the website and associated
social media presence continues to enjoy a reasonable amount of profile, the LEP’s Inward
Investment and Innovation teams felt a refresh of the content would be valuable. They have been
working together to deliver a digital marketing campaign that will:
 Increase the awareness of the Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited brand driving traffic, enquiries
and engagement
 Showcase our science and innovation clusters and centres of excellence
 Highlight opportunities presented through our locations, assets, businesses and
technologies.
 Identify opportunities to improve audience engagement and provide valuable data and
insights into our potential audience demographics that in turn informs our delivery plans
Following a procurement process that attracted 12 bids, the experienced digital marketing agency,
Capsule, were appointed to deliver a two-phase digital marketing campaign.
Phase 1 involves the development of new creative content for Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited which
has gone live this month. This includes refreshing the landing page, the rest of the site as well as
the design and delivery of 10 short videos and case studies, to profile the region’s innovation hubs
and clusters of businesses, alongside new creative content for an integrated social media
campaign. This activity aligns with and supported by the Connected Innovation project and profiles
centres of excellence such as OrbisEnergy, Hethel, Norwich Research Park and Adastral Park.
Phase 2 involves the LEP teams, with Capsule, planning, developing and delivering a campaign
across our social media channels using the new material. They will also monitor and manage the
campaign and deliver a report with recommendations to inform future activity, focussing on
campaign data, audience demographics and what resonates with them, tweaking the campaign as
necessary to get the most from paid advertising.
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42
Connected Innovation Year One Success - The LEP led Connected Innovation project has been
running for a year now and has had coinciding reports signed off by both funders / stakeholders -
the Norfolk Strategic Fund and Suffolk Inclusive Growth and Investment Fund. The project remains
ahead of schedule in terms of its overall delivery and continues to receive positive feedback and
engagement from the Innovation Hub Network.
The second year of the project is focusing on delivering an engaging business events calendar.
This will feature hub showcase events demonstrating their core focus areas and support, following
the success of the showcase event for the Stowmarket Innovation Labs held on 11th February -
Stowmarket tech entrepreneurs showcase their talents at innovation event (suffolknews.co.uk) . A
series of ‘hack’ events are also being planned and will be delivered by our events partner Tech
East around topics such as Offshore Wind, Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing and
Engineering. There are also wider events pulled together through the LEP’s innovation team
around KTPs and FinTech, Space / Sat Applications and Marine Science.
A Cyber Security Partnership Event is being planned for 28th of April. The LEP is working with
partners Tech East, Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council to help organise and
promote. Several speakers are being lined up, potentially Microsoft and EDF for example. There
will also be a panel which looks to discuss infrastructure and risk as cyber security is a vitally
important issue affecting organisations and businesses of any size.
4) Governance, Operations and Finance
Assurance Framework
The LEP’s Assurance Framework, Scheme of Delegation and Accountable Body Agreement with
Suffolk County Council have all been reviewed and updated, to ensure they are in line with newly
published Government guidance and that all the information contained in them is accurate and up
to date - agenda item 8.
Gender Pay Gap Report
At the meeting held 24th February 2022, the Remuneration Committee accepted and approved the
Gender Pay Gap report for 2021/22. This has also been published on the government’s gender
pay gap website here.
Annual Performance Review
Our Annual Performance Review meeting with Government took place on 10 February. A note of
the meeting has been received however the formal outcome of the review is still awaited -
anticipated mid-end March after national moderation.
We were informed that following the Levelling Up White Paper a letter will be sent to LEPs setting
out proposed functions and funding structures. We are still awaiting the letter which we were
originally expecting by the end of February.
Budget
Detail on the operating budget can be found in agenda item 9.
Enterprise Zone Pot C
Payment from Ipswich Borough Council for Enterprise Zone Pot C funding for the year 2020/21 is
still outstanding. Discussions are being held with the council to expedite payment.
Finance
The next set of management accounts will be the full financial year, April 2021 - Mar 2022. These
will be published in the May board papers as there is no board meeting in April. There have been
no extraordinary or unexpected costs since reporting last month.
As previously advised - the Audit and Risk Committee met on 9th February and Price Bailey
presented their audit plan for the forthcoming year end. The audit fee has now been finalised and
audit planning work is due to start w/c 18th April with the main audit taking place w/c 23 May. A
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43
meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee has been scheduled for 28th June to review the draft
accounts and Management Letter ahead of the July LEP Board.
Over the last two years our accounts have reported a substantial surplus. These funds have been
committed to projects, but the actual claims made by the applicants have been delayed. We will
now see an increase in claims as we have cleared these funds, resulting in a reduction to previous
years and possibly a deficit in the annual financial statements.
5) LEP Review
At time of writing we are still awaiting the letter from Government following the conclusion of the
LEP review and the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper.
The letter is due to cover the future function of LEPs as well as funding for 22/23 and provide more
information of transition arrangements in areas covered by existing as well as potential devolution
deals.
Funding has been covered separately in the board papers (item 9).
Regarding devolution arrangements, the LEP team continues to work closely with colleagues from
both Norfolk and Suffolk to understand the implications of county deals and the timelines.
Progress is being made by both counties on the development of the asks in the respective deals,
with negotiations with Government expected to start in the coming weeks.
The LEP Review sub-group agreed at the last board meeting, comprising CJ Green, Peter Joyner,
Claire Cullens and Helen Langton has had an initial meeting. The purpose of the group is to
provide a sounding board for the LEP chair and chief executive.
Updates will continue to be provided to the LEP board on the progress of devolution and its
implications for the LEP.
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
 Note the contents of the report
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44
Communications activity
during February 2022
This dashboard sets out the outcomes and impact of our communications activities during
February 2022.
Media coverage
-
23 pieces of coverage
-
10 reactive media enquiries
Top 3 stories
East Anglian Daily Times
New grants to help small businesses become more energy efficient
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/green-business-grants-for-norfolk-firms-8640612
Eastern Daily Press
Region’s businesses partner to launch Norfolk & Suffolk Economic Strategy
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/new-economic-strategy-launched-8673638
Diss Express
Breckland Council begins work on electricity station at Snetterton Heath
https://www.dissexpress.co.uk/news/sub-station-promises-to-power-up-village-9241549/
Website
There were 14,260 page views on the LEP website (1,130 down on the previous month).
The most visited page was Road to Net Zero Grants, followed by Small Grant Scheme,
Funding and Growing Business Fund.
The LEP website’s EU Exit portal has been updated as very little information is now
required. Plans are in place to remove this from the website later in the spring.
Campaigns, events, and other projects
• Working with the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, we are sponsoring a 12-
week apprenticeship promotional campaign in the Eastern Daily Press and East
Anglian Daily Times. This includes branded advertorials and articles about funding
options for SMEs and myth-busting around apprenticeships.
• We have supported the Department for Levelling UP, Housing and Communities
with case studies and contacts for local press advertorials.
• We have promoted and supported preparations for the Norfolk & Suffolk Skills &
Careers Festival, which takes place from 9-10 March.
• As part of a Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited inward investment campaign, creative
marketing agency Capsule is producing a series of short films and 10 articles that will
be used in a three-month digital marketing campaign and hosted on the NSU
website. We are supporting this project, which is being led by Stuart Catchpole.
• We liaise with partner organisations and support colleagues where the LEP is
represented at public events. During February, Chris Starkie spoke at the Film
Assets Study panel discussion at Norwich University of the Arts, Ellen Goodwin took
part in Norfolk Chambers of Commerce’s Big Debate at The Halls, and Chris
Dashper attended a photo-call to mark the start of work on a power upgrade at
Snetterton Heath.
45
• We continue to deliver communications for the New Anglia Growth Hub, including
supporting the Scale Up New Anglia programme.
Coronavirus business support
Two updates to the business support script have been issued. The LEP and Growth Hub
website toolkits have been updated, with most information now removed as restrictions have
been lifted.
Social media and e-newsletters
Feb 2022
Jan 2022
New Anglia LEP
Number of Twitter followers
9,275
9,258
Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc.)
26.1
27.3
Number of impressions (times a tweet showed in someone’s
31.2K
39.9K
timeline)
Number of LinkedIn followers
4,928
4,818
Number of impressions on LinkedIn
32.8K
31.9K
E-newsletter: open rate
31.7%
36.8%
E-newsletter: click-to-open rate
20.8%
11.2%
Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Number of Twitter followers
879
868
Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc)
7.1
7.9
Number of impressions (number of times users saw our tweet)
5,664
7,966
Number of LinkedIn followers
1,764
1,707
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New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 30th March 2022
Agenda Item 12
March Programme Performance Reports
Author: Programme leads;
Presenter: Rosanne Wijnberg
Summary
The following reports follow for review by the LEP Board this month:
-
Enterprise Adviser Network: Glenn Todd
Gatsby Benchmarks-
The Gatsby Benchmarks were developed on behalf of the Gatsby Foundation by Sir John
Holman, which aimed to highlight what ‘good careers work’ looked like. They provide a clear
framework for organising the careers provision at your school or college. - Good Career
Guidance | Education | Gatsby
Benchmark 1 - Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career
education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers, and
employers. The New Anglia EAN has developed a toolkit to support schools and colleges to
fully achieve all the sub benchmarks within Benchmark 1.
Benchmark 5 - Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about
work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range
of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes. The
EAN supports schools and colleges with making connections to local employers to support with
these activities.
Benchmark 6 - Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work
visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities
and expand their networks.
Enterprise Advisers -
An Enterprise Advisor partners with a local secondary school or college using their skills,
business experience and networks to help them develop a strong careers programme that
supports all students. Enterprise Advisers are people with a passion for wanting to make a
difference, that have the skill set and knowledge to help steer the strategic direction of careers
in a school or college. They provide insight and reflect the local labour market being drawn from
a wide variety of sectors across Norfolk and Suffolk sharing their individual experience.
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
-
Note the report
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Enterprise Adviser Network and Careers Hub
Programme Overview - What is the Enterprise Adviser Network and Careers Hub.
The Enterprise Adviser Network was created and commissioned by the Careers and Enterprise Company which in turn was commissioned by the Department
for Education
The Enterprise Adviser Network and Careers Hub consists of eleven Enterprise Coordinators and one Enterprise Adviser and Careers Hub Manager.
The New Anglia Enterprise Adviser Network is accountable to the LEP Board with direct input from the Skills Advisory Panel
With current funding from the Careers and Enterprise Company along with match funding from ESF the EAN Network and Careers Hub will currently run until
until August 2022
• Enterprise Advisers are Senior Business Volunteers recruited to support schools with assisting pupils to experience the work place and have meaningful
encounters with employers
• The Careers Hub comprises 133 schools across East Anglia with the aim of all schools achieving on average five Gatsby Benchmarks by Aug 2022.
What is the overall Programme Status?
Finance
Green
Meeting the contract approved Careers and Enterprise Grant Claim which is 50% of the running costs and resources for the EAN.
Outputs
Green
On track for Aug 2022 target delivery.
Delivery
Green
The Programme is performing well in terms of delivery with EA's being brought in to the Network and Benchmark performance increasing.
What are our key updates?
• 90% of 133 Mainstream and FE Institutes to be matched to an EA by the end of August 2022.
• 80% of matched schools to be fully achieving BM1 by the end of August 2022.
• 70% of matched schools to be fully achieving BM5 by the end of August 2022.
• 60% of matched schools to be fully achieving BM6 by the end of August 2022.
What is our financial position?
Financials (£)
Year
2020 - 2021
2021 - 2022
Quarter
Qtr. 1 (Apr to Jun)
Qtr. 2 (Jul - Aug)
Qtr. 3 (Sep to Dec)
Qtr. 4 (Jan to Mar)
Qtr. 1 (Apr to Jun)
Qtr. 2 (Jul - Aug)
Qtr. 3 (Sep to Dec)
Qtr. 4 (Jan to Mar)
LEP Costs
£108,968.10
£68,759.58
£154,982.23
£102,576.47
£121,613.78
£77,511.19
£145,575.26
CEC Grant
£69,361.78
£43,545.14
£97,952.75
£76,150.88
£77,850.90
£50,120.04
£108,343.82
Claim
Funding claims to the CEC are made four times a year (quarterly).
CEC pay 50% of the EAN and contribute 100% of the Careers Hub Manager and Senior Enterprise Advisors
Match funding is through ESF rather than Enterprise Zone Pot C with first claim to be made.
Outputs
Target - August
Actuals - End of
Outputs - To Aug 2022.
Diff
Notes
2022
Feb 2022
Mainstream and FE Schools Signed up to the Network.
133
133
0
Mainstream and FE Schools matched to an EA.
133
118
-15
Matched schools fully achieving BM1.
80%
44%
-36%
Matched schools fully achieving BM5.
70%
60%
-10%
Matched schools fully achieving BM6.
60%
45%
-15%
What is the project status?
The Careers Hub has secured funding for the new academic year 2021 - 2022 from the Careers and Enterprise Company with the match requirement met by the successful
ESF bid. The secured ESF funding runs through to the end of 2023 with the expectation that the Careers and Enterprise Company will continue to fund Careers Hubs
through this period. BM1 is a new target this academic year and is focussed on the creation of a stable, aspirational and effective careers programme that supports students to
be knowledgeable of post 16 progression routes. BM1 consists of 17 sub-benchmarks with currently a high % of schools only 1 or 2 sub BM's away from fully achieving BM1.
Schools are experiencing challenges with staffing levels due to Covid that is requiring careers staff to support with other tasks which will impact on the delivery of careers activities
Overall:
Green →

EAN Network
Green →
The EAN Network is on track to meet its revised CEC targets.
Careers Hub
Green →
The Careers Hub is on track to meet its targets.
What are the next steps?
• Providing virtual and online support to teachers and careers leads to raise the aspirations of the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk.
• Continue to recruit Enterprise Advisors to match to schools.
48
New Anglia LEP Board Forward Plan - 2022
Date
Presenter
Strategic
Operational
26th January
Lexhag VFX
Norfolk & Suffolk Economic Strategy
 Board Membership
GTI Grant
LEP Strategic Priorities
 Programme Performance Reports
Recipient
Innovation Board Update
 Quarterly Management Accounts
23rd February
EV Spark
Local Transport Board Report
 GPF Application
All Energy Industry Council Report
 Freeports
 Economic and Programme Dashboards
 Programme Performance Reports
30th March
Katy Davies
Agri-Food Industry Council Report
 LEP Business Plan / Governance
Enterprise Advisor
 LEP Committee Membership
 LEP Operating Budget Update 22/23
 Programme Performance Report
 CEO Pay Award
April
25th May
ICT Digital Industry Council Report
 Capital Budget 22/23
 Quarterly Management Accounts
 New Anglia Capital Report
 Economic and Programme Dashboards
29th June
Skills Advisory Panel Report
 Programme Performance Reports
 Operating & HR Policies including Gender Pay
Gap Report
27th July
Inward Investment Update
 Programme Performance Reports
Innovation Board
 Accounts Approval
 Q2 Management Accounts
August
21st
All Energy Industry Council Report
 Programme Performance Reports
September
 Economic and Programme Dashboards
21st
New Anglia LEP AGM
September
26th October
Agri-Food Industry Council Report
 Programme Performance Reports
 Quarterly Management Accounts
30th November
ICT Digital Industry Council Report
 Programme Performance Reports
 New Anglia Capital Report
 Economic and Programme Dashboards
December
No Board Meeting
Meetings are virtual unless otherwise stated.
Standing Items (where relevant)
 LEP Review
 IAC recommendations
 Chief Executive’s Report
Items to be Scheduled
 Towns Deals
 CNTC
 Sizewell C
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