New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
2.00pm – 3.30pm
By MS Teams
Agenda
No. Item
1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Apologies
3. Declarations of Interest
4. Actions / Minutes from the last meeting
Strategic
5. New Anglia LEP Strategic Priorities For Approval
6. Skills Bootcamps Update Update
Operational
7 County Deals Update
8. Norfolk & Suffolk Space Cluster Update
9. Chief Executive’s Report Update
10. Quarterly Management Accounts - Confidential Update
11. February Programme Performance Reports Update
12. Board Forward Plan Update
13. Any Other Business Update
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Confidential
New Anglia Board Meeting Minutes (Unconfirmed)
30th November 2022
Present:
Kathy Atkinson (KA) Valeo Snack Foods
Claire Cullens (CC) Norfolk Community Foundation
Viv Gillespie (VG) Suffolk New College
C-J Green (CJG) Brave Goose
John Griffiths (JG) West Suffolk Council
Matthew Hicks (MH) Suffolk County Council
Dominic Keen (DK) Britbots
Pete Joyner (PJ) Shorthose Russell
Helen Langton (HL) University of Suffolk
Andrew Proctor (AP) Norfolk County Council
Johnathan Reynolds (JR) Opergy
Sandy Ruddock (SR) Scarlett & Mustard
Jeanette Wheeler (JW) Birketts
Attendees
Peter Brady (PB) Chair, Industry Council for Digital Tech Report
Mike Todman (MT) BEIS
Jan Feeney (JF) Norfolk County Council
Rob Hancock (RH) Suffolk County Council
Ashley Cooper (AC) New Anglia LEP
Chris Dashper (CD) New Anglia LEP
Jason Middleton (JMi) New Anglia LEP
Julian Munson (JM) New Anglia LEP
Chris Starkie (CS) New Anglia LEP
Rosanne Wijnberg (RW) New Anglia LEP
Helen Wilton (HW) New Anglia LEP
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Actions from the meeting: (30.11.22)
None
1 Welcome from the Chair
C-J Green (CJG) welcomed all board members to the meeting
2 Apologies
Apologies were received from Alan Water, Stuart Dark and David Ellesmere.
3 Declarations of Interest
None
4 Actions/Minutes from the last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 26th October were agreed as accurate.
5 Industry Council for Digital Tech Report
Julian Munson (JM) provided the board with an overview of the work of the Industry Council
for Digital Tech explaining that the Council continues to focus on supporting engagement with
the digital tech sector through targeted activities and events and is also promoting the LEP’s
Connected Innovation programme which now includes 23 hubs or centres.
JM advised that Connected Innovation has now supported 14 events across the network with
332 businesses and organisations attending and 2 cross-sector events have also been
delivered - Offshore Wind meets Digital Tech event and FinTech Futures.
JM noted that importance of obtaining market intelligence to demonstrate the successes of
the region although the global economic slowdown has had some impact on this growth. In
contrast some companies have reported in uplift in commercial opportunities where
innovation is used effectively to overcome challenges in the labour market.
JM was pleased to confirm that the LEP had been successful with a consortium bid to DCMS
for a new programme called Create Growth which is aimed at SMEs in the wider creative
sector seeking to scale up. This has a digital focus with a specific aim to target enterprises in
the gaming sector and seeks to attract public investment via organisations such as Innovate
UK and also to strengthen connections with business angel networks to unlock more private
sector investment.
JM introduced Peter Brady (PB) who reflected on his first few months as chair of the council
noting the positive work being carried out across the sector.
PB noted the importance of linking across programmes which results in improved
performance and efficiencies as well as the positives such networking brings.
PB highlighted the challenges facing members of the sector and the potential of a deepening
recession resulting in changing behaviours for businesses as they make costs savings.
It is vital that there is continued funding to support those companies which do want to scale
up and also for start ups.
PB provided the board with information about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
which provides an excellent facility for businesses to use and suggested that it needs to be
promoted to ensure that businesses are aware of the benefits.
PB reiterated that the LEP continues to do important work and noted the exciting future for the
space sector in the region.
Jeanette Wheeler (JW) asked what else can be done to promote the KTP.
PB suggested the use of case studies to set out what the programme can achieve to
demonstrate tangible benefits.
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The board discussed the importance of digital technology to all sectors and the need to link in
with the Chambers of Commerce during the preparation of the LSIP.
Chris Starkie (CS) thanked Helen Langton (HL) for the event held at Adastral Park to launch
the Digitech Centre and highlighted the impressive facility which had received LEP funding
and noted the quality and range of the courses being offered.
CJG thanked PB for his work as chair and stressed the exciting developments in the industry.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
6 Educating the Educators
CS presented the paper and advised that this had come about as JW had expressed concern
over the awareness among teachers about careers information and opportunities for students.
JW explained that, in her recent interactions with teachers, she found that there was very
limited knowledge among teachers around the facilities available to support careers citing
CefAS, Adastral Park and the Aviation Academy as beneficial places to visit but which were
often ignored or unknown.
JW noted the work being done by the EAN team and suggested that the range needs to be
extended to staff other than careers teachers and proposed that training was required to
extend their knowledge.
CS noted that the EAN does not cover private schools but they are welcome to participate in
the network and some already do.
Ashley Cooper (AC), a senior Enterprise Coordinator, stressed the challenges of getting more
teachers to engage but advised that sessions are run outside of school hours. Content is also
provided digitally but participation cannot be monitored.
AC explained that the Gatsby Benchmarks do include measurement of linking careers
teaching to the curriculum and that the annual Skills Festivals reach a wide range of pupils.
Claire Cullens (CC) agreed that there was a lot of ongoing activities but the bigger issue was
getting students to engage in them. There is a need to reach those who could be
ambassadors for careers education which may not just be careers teachers - parent groups,
other educators etc.
AC advised that the EAN teams were reaching out to other groups to get the messages to
relevant people.
HL agreed that it was vital to reach the right influencers including parents and noted that
universities are being charged with secondary school targets in careers but noted that schools
are looking at practical issues rather than long term careers aspirations.
Viv Gillespie (VG) agreed that school trips are limited and suggested that linking work and
resources to the curriculum is likely to be the best way of reaching teachers as this is what
they are charged with.
AC advised that the team was happy to work with any school expressing interest in the
scheme.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
7 Scale Up New Anglia
CS provided the board with an overview of the Scale Up scheme which is aimed at supporting
those businesses who want to grow as this is key to improving productivity and growing the
regional economy.
CS introduce Jason Middleton (JMi), Programmes Manager, who gave further details about
the scheme.
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JMi explained that the programme was developed to provide a flexible Programme of support
to match SMEs with high growth potential to a range of existing local and national support, to
facilitate accelerated business growth and significantly increase the number of Scale Ups in
the New Anglia area. In 2017 the first Scale Up Ambassadors were appointed with the Scale
Up New Anglia Programme launched in early 2018.
To ensure support is appropriately targeted, businesses are categorised according to their
rate of growth and status, with metals used to describe each category:
Platinum: national or international significance, e.g. Aviva, BT.
Gold: growing above 20%, i.e. Scale Up businesses.
Silver: growing between 10% and 20% - the greatest potential to become a Scale Up.
Bronze: growing between 0% and 10%.
Pewter: lower value, lifestyle businesses.
Iron: struggling or having negative growth.
Those companies in the Silver category are targeted and 80-12 businesses in this group are
supported every year.
JMi advised that the High Growth network has replaced the Peer to Peer network which was
very successful and barriers to entry have been lowered so more micro businesses can be
included which then move on to participate in larger programmes.
JMi explained that plans to host discovery days to introduce businesses to national providers
and other dedicated programmes will be launched ie those aimed at women entrepreneurs.
An alumni group is also being set up to share best practise and network
JW asked whether Brexit had had an impact on scalability. JMi noted that Brexit and Covid
have both had an impact on costs meaning that businesses are holding back on scaling up.
JMi advised that marketing and resourcing has been development in such a way that
signposting to other organisation can continue should the scaleup funding no longer be
available.
Johnathan Reynolds (JR) queried whether the focus on scale up can continue given the
current uncertainties around the future of the LEP and county deals.
JMi confirmed it would be part of the LEP’s core offer going forward.
CS advised that discussions were continuing with partners to use the SPF to deliver a range
of business and that the Scale Up scheme was not prohibitively expensive as the private
sector were involved to provide support.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
8 County Deals
Matthew Hicks (MH) advised that a project had been carried out to identify economic support
requirements for the county and to ascertain what structure was required to follow the LEP.
Red Quadrant have completed 3 pieces of work to establish the current picture, carry out peer
analysis and identify future options.
MH stressed that the analysis had highlighted the high regard in which New Anglia LEP is
held and noted the opportunities for increased businesses involvement and removal of
duplication in the future.
MH advised that a proposal will be submitted to LEP Management in late January which will
then go to the LEP board and which will also set out the transition plan.
Andrew Proctor (AP) noted that both counties were pursuing a level 3 deal which provides
increased funding and a directly elected leader and he also stressed the importance of
partnership working in any future structure.
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The meeting was advised of the variations in governance between the different models
available noting that both counties wanted to have a directly elected leader rather than a
mayor.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
9 Chief Executive’s Report
CS highlighted digital bootcamps and their success and advised that a further bid for funding
was being submitted.
CS noted that the previously announce Investment Zones are unlikely to proceed but may
continue in a reduced format concentrating on innovation and research.
CS thanked board members for their participation in the clean growth event which took place
on 15th November.
CS advised that the Mid-Year Review had taken place on 29th November and had gone well
with no concerns raised.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
10 New Anglia Capital Report – Confidential
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
11 November Programme Performance Report
Rosanne Wijnberg (RW) presented the reports and advised that the final spend on the
Growth Deal projects is nearing completion.
RW advised there is a £3-£4m rollover on the Getting Building Fund as there have been
delays in some projects. A revised proposal for the Burtons building will be submitted in the
New Year.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the report
12 Board Forward Plan
CJG reviewed the items on the agenda for the January meeting.
The Board agreed:
To note the content of the plan
13 Any Other Business
CS advised board members that the NAAME Conference is being held at Adastral Park on 9th
February and all were welcome to attend.
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*NewAngliaLocalEnterprisePartnershipBoard,InvestmentAppraisalCommittee,GrowingBusinessFundPanel,RemunerationCommittee,Audit&RiskCommittee
Date Decision
Makin
g
Bod
y
*
Decision Made
30/11/22 Investment
Appraisal
Committee
The Committee made the following decision by written procedures:
Innovative Projects Fund - Energy Supply Chain Employer Readiness Programme – Confidential
To approve the revised proposal and support the reallocation of £118,800 of IPF funds to the proposed Energy Supply Chain Employer
Readiness Pro
g
ramme, replacin
g
the former Nuclear Readiness Pro
j
ect
(
Fit for Nuclear
)
.
26/10/22 LEP Board The Board made the following decisions:
Chief Executives Report – Confidential
Confidential - To agree to the extension of the start-on-site date condition to April 2023 to allow the Nar Ouse Phase 2 project to be delivered
with investment support from the Growin
g
Places Fund
27/9/22 Investment
Appraisal
Committee
The Committee made the following decision by written procedures:
Growing Places Fund - Winerack – Confidential
To approve that recommendation that the LEP responds to Homes England by suggesting a final interest payment of £500k is made to the
LEP, reducin
g
the interest loss to the LEP to a total fi
g
ure of circa £500k
21/9/22 LEP Board The Board made the following decisions:
Norfolk & Suffolk Space Sector Strategy
To approve the Space Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk
Business Support Proposal – Confidential
To endorse the proposal for a new programme of business and innovation support for 2023-24 and 2024-25 and to agree to use £2m of LEP
funding on condition it is supported by local authorities from their UKSPF allocations
Gt Yarmouth O&M Campus – Confidential
To endorse the reduction in the GY Enterprise Zone Pot C from 33.9 per cent to 20.1 per cent in 2024/25, increasing to 24.7 per cent in 29/30
and returning to 33.9 in 2034/35
To agree to a review of the allocations after 5 and 10 years or earlier if there has been a material increase in rates generated by new
developments.
Chief Executive’s Report
To nominate Chris Starkie as the New An
g
lia LEP representative to the Freeport East compan
y
board
21/9/22 Investment
Appraisal
Committee
The Committee made the following decision:
Growing Places Fund - Winerack – Confidential
To receive and consider a proposal on a partial repa
y
ment of the interest.
12/8/22 Investment
Appraisal
Committee
(Written
procedures
)
The Committee made the following decision:
One Farm Loan - Confidential
To approval for the drawdown of the remaining £1m
27/7/22 LEP Board The Board made the following decisions:
Clean Growth Taskforce
To endorse the strate
g
ic direction of the Taskforce
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership
Board Decision Log 2022 - Confidential
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1
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Agenda Item 5
New Anglia LEP Strategic Priorities
Author: Chris Starkie Presenter: Chris Starkie
Summary
This paper outlines New Anglia LEP’s proposed strategic priorities for the 2023/24 financial
year and reports high-level progress made against the 2022/23 priorities.
Recommendation
The board is invited to note progress made against 22/23 priorities, to discuss and agree the
proposed priorities for 23/24
Background
The purpose of the paper is to provide board members with a high level update on the past
financial year and to recommend priorities for the coming year.
Once agreed the priorities will be used as the foundation stones for the LEP’s business plan
and operating budget for the year.
This year’s priorities should be seen against the following:
Economic backdrop:
Business confidence remains relatively fragile. The UK economy has performed poorly
over the past year, albeit avoiding a technical recession, with the coming year expected
to be similarly tough.
High inflation and labour shortages are the key drivers which have impacted on
business confidence. Added to this, in many sectors, cash reserves held by businesses
were used up during the pandemic. Post Brexit trade barriers are also adding to
difficulties for some businesses both exporting and importing goods.
New concerns for our key sectors include incentives from the US and EU to attract
clean energy investment.
All of this adds up to difficulties in businesses planning and then making investment
decisions.
Evidence from the Growth Hub (record enquiries in January) and other sources
suggests businesses are requiring support more than ever. This evidence suggest that
many businesses do wish to invest, and can see opportunities, but grants are in real
demand.
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UK Government finances remain under pressure, with a focus on cost reduction.
This means there is likely to be less funding across all Government departments.
For LEPs our core funding has been reduced from £375k to £250k this year. Partners
including our local authorities are facing similar cost pressures.
County Deals provide additional funding for economic growth, but this will not be
available, in the main, until the Directly Elected Leaders are in place in May 2024. This
financial year remains a transition year therefore.
District and borough council elections in May are likely to bring some changes, not least
with the retirement of some LEP board members.
The reorganisation of Government departments will have an impact on the work of the
LEP – new energy and science & technology departments and the merger of Business
and Trade. Some short-term disruption is likely but there are potential opportunities for
closer collaboration with all three departments, particularly with the new Science and
Technology department which covers innovation.
A quick look back – the strategic priorities for 22/23
In January 2022, the LEP board agreed that the role of the LEP was to support private sector
growth, and USP remained the LEP’s ability to convene partners in the private, public, third and
education sectors.
This convening power enables us to identify key issues facing businesses, develop solutions,
secure funding and investment from the public and private sectors and advocate on behalf of
the area.
The board set five Strategic priorities.
1. Business support and Innovation
2. Labour market and skills
3. Supporting place
4. Nationally significant projects
5. Future role of the LEP
Progress has been made against all five priorities. More detailed outputs will be recorded and
reported after the year has closed. A few brief highlights include:
1. Business support and innovation
New Anglia Growth Hub has continued to deliver high quality face to face advice, with
more than 1,400 businesses supported during 2022.
More than 120 businesses participated in our dedicated growth programme Scale Up
New Anglia.
We reached our target of £4.7m of grants awarded through the Small Grants
Programme.
We are on track to deliver £2m of grants through the Growth Through Innovation
Programme.
We ran a successful clean growth for business series of events and webinars and
delivered a road to net zero grants programme.
Our Connected Innovation programmes now includes 24 innovation hubs and has run a
series of successful events to bring together businesses and innovators.
The New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing Group NAAME has increased its membership
and achieved a record attendance at its annual conference this month.
New Anglia Capital has expanded its portfolio – but also had to contend with difficulties
experienced by a number of portfolio businesses.
The LEP led a consortium which was awarded more than £1.2m to support the creative
industries sector in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The LEP won funding from the UK Space Agency to develop a regional space cluster.
Political Backdrop
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Our Enterprise Adviser Network has continued to link all secondary schools in Norfolk
and Suffolk with businesses, supporting their careers advice programmes.
We successfully bid for a wave 3 Skills Bootcamp programme, which is in the process of
delivering training to more than 300 learners in areas such as digital skills and
arboriculture.
We have supported the Local Skills Improvements Plans being developed by the
chambers of commerce.
Skills has remained a critical theme of our industry councils and sector groups, feeding
into our work and the work of partners.
3. Supporting place
Our Enterprise Zones have seen further development. Highlights include the new
logistics buildings on Suffolk Park, the first development on Gateway 14 and the start of
work on the O&M campus in Great Yarmouth. In King’s Lynn construction on new
business units as well as further investment in the Norwich Research Park and further
development at Sproughton.
The Invest Norfolk and Suffolk inward investment service secured further investment in
the area, despite a national downturn in investment into the UK.
The LEP is also supporting all five town deals – with representation on the boards in
King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Ipswich and Lowestoft. Officer support has also
been provided, particularly in Kings Lynn and Ipswich.
Support has also been provided to Levelling Up Fund bids and in the preparation of bids
for Investment Zones.
4. Nationally significant projects
Our work here has focused on providing Freeport East with the skills and capacity to
submit its outline and then full business case. Three members of the team have given
significant amounts of time to the project, together with further assistance from our
strategy, communications and innovation teams.
The team has also engaged with EDF and local partners around the Sizewell C project,
and windfarm operators bringing forward their major projects.
5. Future role of the LEP
A significant amount of senior management time has been expended in working with
colleagues around the county deals and the future economic landscape in which the
LEP functions, funding and personnel will sit.
Strategic Priorities for 23/24
Four priorities are being recommended for 23/24 – one an overarching strategic priority and
three delivery priorities set against the economic and political backdrop outlined earlier.
This reflects the continuing need for the LEP and its ability to convene partners and provide
support to businesses, whilst recognising that the signing of in principle county deals means
23/24 should be regarded as a transition year.
In addition the finances available to the LEP are reduced compared with previous years.
Overarching strategic priority
Develop a successful transition plan for the LEP
During 23/24 we will need to develop a transition plan for sign off by the LEP board to enable
integration at the start of the 24/25 financial year.
This transition plan will enable the functions, funding and personnel of the LEP to be integrated
into the new county deal structures being developed by our county councils.
2. Labour market and skills
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These structures – business boards and associated governance arrangements – are a
requirement of the county deals.
Board members will have a key role to play articulating the role of the business and education
voice in the new structures, and ensuring the priorities of the LEP and its work are able to
continue under the new structures.
The transition plan will need to ensure the assets of the LEP are protected and utilised, as
intended, to support the growth of the local economy.
Ongoing delivery priorities
1 Business support and innovation
Business support and innovation is at the heart of the work of the LEP, and like this year will be
focused on the Growth Hub and related grant programmes we are proposing to deliver.
These are: Small Grants Scheme, Growth Through Innovation, Business Transition to Road
Zero and Growing Places Fund.
Our activity will also extend to the Innovation Board and the Connected Innovation programme,
our industry councils and sector groups.
The new space cluster activity will be an important strand of new work with a new cluster
manager now in post.
Work around clean growth will be focused on providing support to businesses on the road to
net zero, we will also undertake a project focused on the decarbonisation of the agri-food
sector.
2 Skills and the labour force
Skills and labour force remains a really pressing issue for businesses. Whilst our Skills Advisory
Panel has been paused, we have some clear priorities for the year.
These are to deliver our Skills Bootcamp programme, to continue our Enterprise Adviser
Network and to provide support to the development and implementation of the Local Skills
Improvement Plan.
We will continue to support the Skills Hub, the joint skills resource run by the two county
councils and the LEP.
Our industry councils and sector groups will continue to prioritise skills, linking into the LSIP and
our own activity and our industry and sector group chairs will prioritise skills at future meetings.
3 Support place
Central to the place priority will again be the development of our Enterprise Zones, with further
development projects in the pipeline, and the continued work of Invest Norfolk and Suffolk, run
jointly with the county councils.
We will continue our commitment to Freeport East, with an agreement in place ensuring we are
remunerated for our ongoing support.
Where capacity allows we will continue to support town deal boards and work with our district
and borough colleagues on local priorities.
We will continue to support nationally significant projects where we can add value and where
resources permit.
Recommendation to the board
The board is invited to note progress against 22/23 priorities and discuss and agree the
proposed strategic priorities for 2023/24
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New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Agenda Item: 6
Wave 3 Skills Bootcamps update
Author: Bev Wallman Presenter: Chris Dashper
Recommendation
The LEP Board is invited to note the contents of the report.
Background
DfE awarded a £1m contract for Wave 3 delivery for the period from August 2022 to the end of
March 2023. Our target is to have a minimum of 240 learners complete Skills Bootcamps
within this timeframe.
A framework agreement was set up with 8 providers (4 local & 4 national companies). The
sectors were aligned to the economic vacancy needs within the region and include: Digital,
Construction, Green Skills – Retrofit, Green Skills – Arboriculture & Farming, Logistics,
Leadership & Management (total of 14 Skills Bootcamps)
Delivery
To deliver flexible training programmes lasting from 60 hours up to 16 weeks, based on
employer / sector ‘in-demand’ skills needs. The flexibility enables adults to take on training
around work and other commitments.
Eligibility is for adults (19+) who are full-time and part-time employed, unemployed, returning to
work after a break or self-employed.
Training can be either regulated (i.e. qualification based) or non-regulated (e.g. based on
alignment with industry standards)
The aim is to provide learners with specialist skills to enable them to gain skilled work, access
new opportunities through retraining and if in employment take on additional responsibilities.
Progress to date
Delivery of the original DfE expectation of 240 learners by the end of March 2023 has been
achieved. Our local expectation was to deliver around 280 learners, stretching the original
target by around 20%. We are continuing to work towards this target, negotiating with the
providers to reapportion outputs amongst them where appropriate.
In addition, we have been successful in obtaining an additional 42 learners via DfE’s ‘flex’
agreement which enables learners to commence up to March 2023 pushing milestones 2 and 3
into our 23/24 allocation. This will give us a total of up to 322 learners.
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Engagement by employer size:
Engagement by sector
Case studies
Currently, 70% of our learners are still on programme but we are getting great feedback from
learners that have completed and attached is our first case study: 'Retrofit’ your career with fully
funded Skills Bootcamps - New Anglia.
Quality Management visit
On 3 February the LEP Team attended the DfE Quality Management visit to Suffolk Rural
(Suffolk New College) to see the delivery team, observe the Bootcamp training and meet the
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learners on both the Arboriculture and Fast Track to Farming Bootcamps cohorts. The visit is
conducted to Ofsted standard.
A very thorough visit demonstrated exactly what the Bootcamps were designed to do- to
provide, in a 10 week course, an opportunity to develop a new skill for the unemployed or an
improved job offer for those already employed. The training provides the learners with the skills
and permits to take on a variety of roles within the forestry and farming sectors.
The highlight of the visit was the opportunity to meet the actual learners from both cohorts- who
were all adults either unemployed or previously employed and looking for a more rewarding
career, or employed but looking to improve their portfolios- for instance by adding a tree
surgery offer to a landscape gardening business.
The learning is an intense mix of classroom and practical, but all the learners have benefitted
from the training and all were appreciative of the opportunity, particularly the fact that they didn’t
have to pay for the courses themselves!
The DfE representative has proposed to offer the provider as the location for a future Ministerial
visit to further promote and highlight the success of the Skills Bootcamps programme.
Wave 4 23/24
In November 2022 we submitted our original tender for Wave 4 which is another one-year
contract from April 23/24. On 22nd December we were notified unofficially that we had been
successful.
We had put in a request for £2.7m for Wave 4 but have been allocated £1.4m which although
not equivalent to our request nonetheless represents an increase on Wave 3 and still allows us
to deliver an additional 322 learners and to continue to build the programme in the region.
There will be opportunities to request additional funding in-year if we can demonstrate employer
demand and strong performance across our programmes.
The sectors allocated for Wave 3 - Digital, Construction, Green Skills – Retrofit, Green Skills –
Arboriculture & Farming, Logistics, Leadership & Management will continue but we hope to be
able to expand across other sectors such as Engineering and also support Health & Social
(Level 4 Inspiring Managers) as a Legacy from the DSHSC project.
A tender for providers to join the Framework was issued in January 2023 and closes during the
third week of February 2023.
Recommendation:
The LEP Board are invited to note the contents of the report.
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New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Agenda Item 8
Norfolk and Suffolk Space Cluster
Author and Presenter: James Allen and Julian Munson
Summary
This paper provides an update on the work by New Anglia LEP and partners in establishing the
Space Cluster for Norfolk and Suffolk, building on the strategy for the space sector signed off
by the LEP Board in September 2022.
Recommendations
The Board is invited to note the contents of the paper.
Background
The UK space sector is worth more than £16.5 billion per year (2018/2019) and currently
directly employs more than 47,000 people (UK Space Agency Size & Health of the UK Space
Industry 2021). Space plays a critical role in our daily lives with satellites connecting us,
monitoring our climate, keeping us secure, helping us navigate roads and seas, providing
weather forecasts and a whole host of other applications that support the economy, the
environment and underpinning our society at large. Space presents a significant opportunity,
with the global space industry estimated to grow from $489billion to $1 trillion by 2040 (Space
Foundation).
In September 2021, the UK Government published the National Space Strategy with a
vision to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and
with the following goals:
To grow and level up our space economy (aiming to develop ‘space ecosystems
and clusters’ across the UK’s regions (space clusters and launch facilities
highlighted in Annex 1).
Promote the values of Global Britain.
Lead pioneering scientific discovery and inspire the nation.
Protect and defend our national interests in and through space.
Use space to deliver for UK citizens and the world.
The LEP Board signed off the Space Sector Plan for Norfolk and Suffolk in September 2022
which was pulled together by AstroAgency. Using Norfolk and Suffolk’s extensive experience of
the agriculture, marine and energy sectors along with the world leading research on climate
change, there is a real opportunity for the region to play a lead role in sustainability and drive to
net zero in a space context over the next few years.
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Three significant clusters of activity were identified covering upstream space activity e.g.,
microgravity rocket launch, and downstream applications e.g., satellite monitoring for precision
agriculture, wind farm monitoring and transport/logistics activity:
Greater Norwich Area which includes Scottow Enterprise Park (Gravitilab), UEA,
Norwich Research Park, Hethel Engineering Centre and the Food Enterprise Park
- covering upstream activity such as microgravity launch and downstream applications
e.g., precision agriculture, crop science, engineering and automotive, climate change
and environmental science.
Adastral Park/Ipswich/Felixstowe which includes BT, Innovation Martlesham, UoS
and Freeport East / Port of Felixstowe - covering areas such as satellite applications,
earth observation, quantum key distribution research, telecommunications, 5G,
transport, logistics and port operations.
Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth Offshore Wind and Marine Science cluster including
CEFAS and OrbisEnergy (and links to UEA) - covering satellite applications for
monitoring of offshore wind farms, marine science and fisheries research, climate
change and coastal erosion.
Establishing the Space Cluster for Norfolk and Suffolk
Key actions identified in the Space Sector Plan included submitting a bid for space cluster
development funding to the UK Space Agency and formalising the regional space cluster
with branding and a communications campaign.
New Anglia LEP submitted a successful bid to UKSA’s Space Cluster Development
Funding Call for £163,185 to the end of March 2025 (all successful Pot B recipients listed in
Annex 2 – this is the only new space cluster being supported). This funding enables the
recruitment of a Space Cluster Development Manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, to be hosted
by New Anglia LEP, who will help to build the cluster in the region, develop innovative
projects using space technologies to support a range of key sectors, and lead engagement
with UKSA, European Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult and other space
cluster leads. Importantly, this funding will also support the establishment of cluster
branding, a website and marketing materials. Following an internal recruitment process,
Stuart Catchpole is the successful candidate and will officially start in April.
Agreed outputs with the UKSA include engaging 150 businesses, business intermediaries
and academics per annum; 1 major launch event; quarterly space steering group meetings;
2-3 networking events per annum; increasing the number of businesses and organisations
joining the Space Enterprise Community platform by 15 per annum; supporting STEM skills
and careers inspiration; and facilitating introductions to investor networks.
New Anglia LEP set up the space steering group for Norfolk and Suffolk (chaired by the LEP’s
Head of Enterprise Zones and Innovation and with representation from industry, innovation
hubs, academia and key national and international organisations) over two years’ ago, with a
wide range of organisations interested in the space sector and the cross-sector innovation
opportunities. Additional representatives are already joining the Space Steering Group following
limited promotion to date, such as electrification specialists Equipmake who were selected by
Australia’s leading space company (Gilmour Space Technologies) to support its commercial
space rocket programme with the supply of advanced electric motors and inverters.
Additional funding rounds are expected in the coming months to support emerging projects
across the space clusters.
The official announcement of the funding award for New Anglia LEP and other areas was
on February 14th and we secured coverage in the EDP, EADT and local radio.
16
3
New Anglia LEP is holding a Connected Innovation Conference at Adastral Park on 10
March 2023, which will showcase the globally leading research and innovation taking place
across our region and successes achieved through the Connected Innovation project.
During this event, there will be an official launch of the Space Cluster and the Space Sector
Plan for Norfolk and Suffolk. We have speakers confirmed from UKSA, Satellite
Applications Catapult and Innovate UK. Panel sessions will explore the creators/innovators
and users of space tech and the UK and global investment landscape. The event will set
out the value of the Space Cluster for our region and emerging collaborative opportunities.
On 26 January, the LEP funded an event with Agri-TechE on ‘Space Tech meets Agri
Tech’ at Easton College. Over 50 participants attended to hear about the exciting
opportunities space technologies can offer the sector in meeting Government’s new
environmental objectives and boosting productivity on farm.
The LEP is working with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to deliver a
similar event focused on space and the offshore renewable sector in the summer.
Emerging Space Projects
The LEP has been working closely with the Space Steering Group, relevant stakeholders
and key national organisations such as the UK Space Agency (UKSA), European Space
Agency (ESA), and Satellite Applications Catapult to start developing potential space
projects for the benefit of our region, economy and people.
Emerging projects following these discussions include:
LEP leading/heavily involved:
UKSA has awarded the LEP with additional funding of £16,000 to scope out the
feasibility of an Agri Space Living Lab for Norfolk and Suffolk. The LEP and Satellite
Applications Catapult will work with key partners e.g., Space Steering Group and
Agri-Food Industry Council to map out real-world testing environments and
challenges for the sector that can be supported through space technologies. This
scoping work will be completed by end of March 2023 and could help underpin a
more substantial funding bid in the future.
Progress is being made with conversations for a Space Enterprise Lab on Adastral
Park which would act as a regional base for national space organisations and a
central focus for space-related innovation in the region. New Anglia LEP is
coordinating the project in discussion with the Satellite Applications Catapult, BT,
East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council.
The LEP is working closely with Visit East of England and Dapper Labs to explore
potential funding from the European Space Agency for a project related to the
‘Friendly Invasion’ and upcoming ‘Masters of the Air’ TV series. In addition to an
immersive storytelling dome in Norfolk (first of its kind in Europe), a personalised
storytelling digital platform linking up former 2nd world war air bases and museums
will use satellite technologies in rural areas where connectivity is an issue.
Exploring with the Satellite Applications Catapult whether the University of Suffolk’s
existing facilities can be integrated into the Healthy Space Living Lab Network.
A Hot House session on Adastral Park in April will build on early conversations
exploring rural connectivity for health and social care with partners including BT,
Suffolk County Council, University of Suffolk, Satellite Applications Catapult and
European Space Agency.
Wider Industry & Academia developments:
Gravitilab has received a £400k award from UKSA’s Launch UK Technology
Investment Programme and £40k from Norfolk County Council’s DRIVE programme
to develop their suborbital rocket (ISAAC) for launch. The UKSA funding also
Launch Event & Space Networking Events
17
4
incorporates the acquisition and build of bespoke testing facilities opening up
testing opportunities for multiple sectors and products.
Gravitilab recently undertook a microgravity demonstration of their LOUIS drone at
Cornwall Spaceport, working closely with the Cornwall Space Cluster.
Gravitilab has passed one requirement with the Civil Aviation Authority to gain
licencing for airspace. Their aspiration is for a spaceport 10km off the Norfolk coast.
BT’s Space Strategy sets out their vision to support the growth of the UK space
economy, referencing Adastral Park as the ideal location for the East of England
Space Hub and a key location for validating timing technology and proof-of-concept
test beds for wider solutions that have timing components supporting ‘positioning,
navigation and timing’. BT recently hosted a visit by the BEIS Space Directorate.
The Land App is working with farmers and landowners to provide digital twins of
their land and the mapping technology can highlight demonstration of environmental
stewardship and support nature recovery ambitions. Their mapping technology
incorporates satellite models which feed into a machine learning engine to provide
more granularity and detail for farmers and can verify natural capital contracts. They
are working on projects across the UK, but are keen to link up with key
environmental projects in the region.
CEFAS earth observation experts are based in their Lowestoft headquarters leading
on environmental situation awareness, monitoring decarbonisation and tracking
emergencies such as oil spills. From this region, it is leading a major global
programme across all of the UK’s overseas territories working with them to look at
ways to improve the blue economy such as monitoring the seabed and supporting
fisheries by monitoring water temperature using satellite data.
The University of Suffolk’s Professor Darryl Newport sits on the Space Energy
Initiative which is leading the development of space-based solar power for the UK.
Recommendations
The Board is invited to note the contents of the paper.
18
5
Appendix 1: Current and Proposed Space Centre and Spaceport Activity across the UK
Source: National Space Strategy
Annex 2: UK Space Agency Pot B Cluster Development Funding Call Recipients
Northern Ireland Space Office - £223,000
North East Centre of Excellence - £296,000
Space Hub Yorkshire – £348,000
West of England Combined Authority and National Composites Centre - £136,000
Cornwall Council - £272,000
New Anglia LEP (covering Norfolk and Suffolk) - £163,000
Aerospace Wales - £200,000
University of Leicester - £284,000
Space South Central (covering Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight) - £300,000
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1
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Agenda Item 9
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 five headings – 1) LEP managed projects and programmes, 2) LEP
Industry councils and Sub-groups, 3) External Partnership Activity, 4) Governance and Finance,
and 5) LEP future. The communications dashboard is also attached as a separate appendix.
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
Note the contents of the report
Approve an over-commitment of up to £135k against the allocated budget of the Small
Grant Scheme.
Note that the Operating Budget will be presented to the LEP Board in May.
1) LEP Managed Projects and Programmes
New Anglia Growth Hub and wider business support programme
Good progress is being made with local authority partners on the development of a new business
support and innovation programme to replace the LEP’s current Business Growth Programme.
Funding for this scheme, which includes the Growth Hub, Scale Up New Anglia and Small Grants
programme, ends on June 30th.
The LEP agreed to set aside £2m for the scheme for 2023/34 and 2024/25 at its September board,
subject to district colleagues also making funding available from the UKSPF programme.
This has been agreed in principle by district colleagues and also has the support of both county
councils. Details of the service provision are now being agreed alongside suitable agreements.
In Suffolk the LEP will be working on a single proposition with all districts and the county council. In
Norfolk agreement is being reached on a district-by-district basis.
The agreements should ensure the continued operation of the New Anglia Growth Hub, a new
iteration of the Small Grants Scheme, as well as a continuation of the Scale Up New Anglia and
the Connected Innovation programmes.
In addition, the LEP is also likely to be managing the Rural Prosperity Fund grant scheme in West
Norfolk and North Norfolk.
20
2
Small Grant Scheme
The current iteration of the LEP’s Small Grant Scheme (SGS), funded through the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is nearing completion and the total available funding of £4.7m
is almost fully committed to projects. Almost 500 grants have been awarded or committed to
businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk.
To ensure that the fund is fully spent, as with all other grant programmes, we need to over-commit
the funding to manage any underspends and project withdrawals. Deadlines for the scheme are
the end of March for approvals and the end of June for project claims to be received.
To ensure that the remaining funds can be fully awarded and to allow for slippage within the
approved project portfolio, an over-commitment of £135k has been proposed by the project
delivery team.
Should the over-commitment translate to an actual over-spend position at the end of the SGS,
funding to pay projects will need to be taken from the 23/24 Small grants programme, the
successor to the SGS approved at the September 2022 LEP Board meeting.
Reduction of this budget would impact on grant funding available across the region during 23/24,
therefore any overspend will be kept to a minimum. Our expectation, based on similar previous
programmes, is that the actual overspend will be minimal.
Recommendation to the board: The Board is asked to approve over-commitment of the SGS by
up to £135k to ensure that the available ERDF funds are fully spent at the point of closure of the
SGS and the end of European programme in the region and the UK.
One Farm Visit
The LEP chair and chief executive, together with members of the LEP executive and members and
officers from West Suffolk Council visited thew One Farm vertical farm in Newmarket on February
2nd.
One Farm is developing a major vertical farm facility in a large industrial unit in Newmarket. The
project is a major inward investment success for the LEP, which is also investing £2.5m through
the Growing Places Fund in the £8m plus project.
The visit was a good opportunity to understand progress being made on the installation of the
specialist vertical farming towers in the facility and One Farm’s forward order book – which looks
strong. The company has also just completed a new R&D facility which will allow it to test the
optimum growing conditions for different crops.
2) LEP Industry Councils and Sub-groups
Innovation Board
Through the Connected Innovation project, the LEP is currently reviewing and updating the
Innovation Prospectus (published in April 2021) given the achievements and outputs of the
Connected Innovation project and the growth of the network / individual hubs. This will showcase
emerging cross-sector innovation opportunities and developments across the region.
Working with the regional Innovate UK EDGE team, the LEP planned a roadshow event at Hethel.
The event was the first of its kind in the region and was invitee only and targeted at businesses
who are at the stage where they can apply for Innovate UK funding / support. To deliver the event,
we worked with the Growth Hub and wider support partners – Innovation Grant Mentoring Project,
Growth Through Innovation, etc.. Following positive feedback and engagement from the attendees,
we will be looking to organise a follow up event in Suffolk in 2023.
The LEP’s Innovation and Sectors team is organising the Connected Innovation Showcase event
on 10th March at Adastral Park. This event will mark two years since the launch of the Connected
Innovation project and will highlight key successes, showcase the innovation hubs and business
case studies, and look ahead to the next stage of Connected Innovation with funding from April
21
3
2023 onwards. This event will also launch the Space Cluster for Norfolk and Suffolk, setting out the
cross-sector innovation opportunities through that workstream.
Keynote speakers at the event include Johnathan Reynolds, Chair of the LEP’s Innovation Board,
Dr Will Drury, Executive Director, Innovate UK, Harshbir Sangha, UK Space Agency Director of
Growth and Paul Febvre, CTO, Satellite Applications Catapult.
Agri-Food Industry Council
The Industry Council met on 13 December with updates on Avian Influenza, Industrial
Decarbonisation, the Food Enterprise Park and Broadland Food Innovation Centre, and Skills
Bootcamps.
Innovate UK KTN’s Head of Net Zero is keen to work with the Agri-Food Industry Council to look at
the diffusion of Net Zero innovation to decarbonise the agri-food sector from farm to fork.
Water remains a real concern for the East and access to new water licences (which are due for
renewal in 2024).
The Broadland Food Innovation Centre’s Food and Drink Innovation Conference (all-day) will be
held on 29th March at Barnham Broom.
Suffolk New College is delivering the Introduction to Farming Skills Bootcamp for 20 learners. The
LEP has put in a bid for Wave 4 to build on this activity.
New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME)
NAAME held its annual conference on the 9th February at Adastral Park. The theme of the
conference was ESG and what this means for Manufacturers with keynote speakers from BT,
Lotus and the Institute of Directors. Over 170 delegates attended from across the East of England.
The event was a showcase of the amazing businesses that we have in the region, a celebration of
the successes and provided practical solutions to key challenges currently faced by the sector.
There was networking and tours of BT’s Digital Industries showcase to highlight emerging
technologies that can be utilised by the sector and identify any collaboration opportunities for
NAAME members to work with BT (and the wider cluster) on the development of innovative
technology & services.
Sector adoption of digital technologies continues to be a key part of the NAAME Strategy, of which,
conversations are progressing with the Institute for Manufacturing, ‘Digital Manufacturing on a
Shoestring’ team to explore some East of England lighthouse/demonstrator companies. Two of
which are CamdenBoss (Mildenhall) and Warren Services (Thetford). It’s hoped that NAAME can
support an East of England roll out of the programme with ambitions to secure one lighthouse in
each regional Manufacturing Group (7 in total across Norfolk and Suffolk).
After two years of the ‘Engineering Success' project, funded by New Anglia LEP, NAAME has
reached a critical point with the current round of funding from the LEP ending in March. Funding
from Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund has now been secured and the LEP is in active
conversations with Norfolk local authorities about securing match funding. This will enable the
NAAME network to continue for a further 2 years.
The NAAME membership has now grown to a total of 300 members with 560 individual members
and so very much valued by the business and academic community.
3) External Partnership Activity
Enterprise Zones
The Government has confirmed additional capital funding of £500,000 for the £8 million Nar Ouse
Enterprise Zone as a direct result of an in-principle county deal with Norfolk County Council, which
was agreed in December.
22
4
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council owns the 120-acre Nar Ouse business park site
and part of it forms one of the New Anglia Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone sites. It is one of the
largest brown field sites in the East of England and the additional funding will enable new
infrastructure, unlocking the east side of the site and opening up further development opportunities.
New Anglia LEP and the Borough Council have already invested millions of pounds in new office
and industrial units, bringing new jobs and business expansion to the area.
Create Growth Programme
The region’s Create Growth Programme, led by New Anglia LEP, will be officially launched on
Tuesday 28 February, from 1pm at the Theatre Royal, Norwich and branded as ‘Creative East’.
This event will give an insight the new £1.3m programme, which is set to help ignite growth in the
Creative Industries in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Delegates will be able
to meet programme leaders and find out about the application process.
Speakers include: Julian Munson, Head of Enterprise Zones and Innovation at New Anglia LEP,
Sam Burton, Senior Investment Advisor at University of East Anglia (UEA), and Richard Johns,
successful film and TV producer and founder of Argo Films.
Creative East: is a partnership between The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP)
and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) with Norfolk County
Council and Suffolk County Council.
It is a specialised investment readiness programme delivered by University of East Anglia, in
partnership with University of Suffolk, Anglia Ruskin University and Norwich University of the Arts
in collaboration with industry.
Tickets can be booked via the following Eventbrite link; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-
east-launch-event-tickets-530294183177
Our “local area partnership” (Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire) is one of six across the country.
Formal applications for Cohort 1 have begun in February, with the programme kicking off officially
in March. The lead delivery partner UEA is in the process of recruiting final members of the
delivery team.
Freeport East
The LEP is continuing to support the work of Freeport East with staffing resource and also with the
LEP CEO as a member of the Freeport East board.
In January the Freeport East full business case was approved by Government, in time for a House
of Commons reception to highlight the importance of the project.
In terms of LEP input, Marie Finbow from the LEP’s strategy team, is working on the project full
time, with Mike Dowdall from programmes and Michael Cousens from inward investment, working
part time on FPE. In addition Simon Papworth, LEP economic analyst, will be leaving the LEP in
April to join FPE as head of strategy.
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5
Coastal LEPs
Chris Starkie has become the chair of a new Coastal LEPs group. The group brings together LEPs
with an interest in coastal issues, to look for common issues, challenges and opportunities.
New Anglia LEP has also joined the One Coast Alliance of stakeholders with an interest in the
coast, and gave evidence to a report developed by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
Coastal Group on behalf of the One Coast Alliance.
The Alliance is also developing and promoting the Year of the Coast – to highlight the importance
of the coastal tourism sector to the UK.
4) Governance, Operations and Finance
Governance
The Annual Performance Review took place in January. DLUHC assessed LEPs and assigned
them into a two-tier assurance system. The meeting was facilitated by Mike Todman, with Chris
Starkie, Rosanne Wijnberg and Holly Field representing New Anglia.
Supporting documents were submitted in advance of the meeting, covering the areas of
Governance, Delivery and Strategic Impact. The latest position on our Growth Deal and Getting
Building Fund projects were also discussed, with particular focus on the projects which have not
progressed as planned.
Finance
The management accounts up to the end of Quarter 3 (April 22 – Dec 22) are included in the pack
and will be discussed as part of the agenda.
Note that we have not received our LA contributions from GYBC.
Operating Budget
At the time of writing, we do not have information on government funding allocations for the
2023/24 financial year; and are still in the process of negotiating with our district and borough
council colleagues regarding UKSPF business support funding contributions. As such – we would
like to propose that we bring the Operating Budget to the LEP Board in May for review and
approval.
Recommendations
The Board is invited to
Note the contents of the report
Approve an over-commitment of up to £135k against the allocated budget of the Small Grant
Scheme.
Note that the Operating Budget will be presented to the LEP Board in May.
24
This dashboard sets out the outcomes and impact of our communications activities during
January 2023.
Media coverage
- 13 pieces of coverage
- 5 reactive media enquiries
Top 3 stories
Eastern Daily Press
New Anglia LEP’s Small Grant Scheme set to end soon
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23244009.new-anglia-leps-small-grant-scheme-set-end-
soon/
Eastern Daily Press
Space-tech meets agri-tech at industry event in Norwich
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23264083.space-tech-meets-agri-tech-industry-event-
norwich/
BBC Look East
(clip unavailable)
Chris Starkie interviewed about final approval being given for Freeport East.
Website
There were 15,923 page views on the LEP website (5,555 more than in the previous
month). The most visited page was Small Grant Scheme followed by Funding, Growth
Through Innovation Fund, Contact Us and Our Team.
Campaigns, events, and other projects
•Support for the Freeport East comms group and announcement of final approval
from Government. Chris Starkie attended a Parliamentary reception to mark the
occasion and did interviews with Look East and ITV Anglia.
•Comms support for our space sector work – social media to promote the Agri-Tech
Meets Space Tech event at Easton College on 26 January and the production of a
press release ahead of the UK Space Agency’s announcement of our successful
funding bid in February.
•PR around the final weeks of the Small Grant Scheme and the award of the 500th
grant since it began.
•Comms support for our space sector work – social media to promote the Agri-Tech
Meets Space Tech event at Easton College on 26 January and the production of a
Communications activity
during January 2023
25
press release ahead of the UK Space Agency’s announcement of our successful
funding bid in February.
•Launch of the Growth Hub’s latest Scale Up New Anglia programme, with a press
release and social media posts signposting to workshops.
Social media and e-newsletters
Jan 2023
Dec 2022
New Anglia LEP
Number of Twitter followers
9,541
9,535
Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc.)
20.5
14.7
Number of impressions (times a tweet showed in someone’s
timeline)
19.7K
18.7K
Number of LinkedIn followers
5,895
5,759
Number of impressions on LinkedIn
24.5K
26.4K
Number of unique visitors on LinkedIn
178
111
E-newsletter: open rate
37.8%
39.4%
E-newsletter: click-to-open rate
11.5%
11%
Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited
Number of Twitter followers
940
933
Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc)
3.0
1.6
Number of impressions (number of times users saw our tweet)
1,525
1,199
Number of LinkedIn followers
2,168
2,118
26
1
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Wednesday 22nd February 2023
Agenda Item 11
February Programme Performance Reports
Author: Programme leads; Presenter: Rosanne Wijnberg
Summary
The following reports follow for review by the LEP Board this month:
- Growth Programme; Jason Middleton
- Enterprise Zones (Confidential); Eunice Edwards
- Enterprise Advisor Network; David Ladbrook
Recommendation
The board is asked to:
- Note the reports.
31
BusinessGrowthProgrammePerformanceReport‐January 2023
ProgrammeOverview‐WhatistheBusinessGrowthProgramme?
TheNewAngliaBusinessGrowthProgrammeistheLEP’sflagshipbusinesssupportprogrammeandsinceSeptember2020comprisesoffiveelements:
• NewAngliaGrowthHub(GH),offeringfreeandimpartialadvicetoindividualsandbusinessesaswellassignpostingthemtoarangeofadditionalsupport.
• NewAngliaSmallGrantScheme(SGS),providinggrantsbetween£1,000and£25,000toSMEstoenablegrowth,increasedproductivityandjobcreation.
• TheVisitorEconomyGrantScheme(VEG),providinggrantsbetween£1,000and£3,000toSMEsinthevisitoreconomyimpactedbyCovid‐19(closedinJune2021).
• TheWiderEconomyGrantScheme(WEG),providinggrantsbetween£1,000and£3,000toSMEsinthewidereconomyimpactedbyCovid‐19(closedinJune2021).
• Start‐upandEarlyStageSupportProgramme,providingspecialistsupporttohelppeoplesetupasuccessfulnewbusiness–deliveredbypartnersNWESandMENTA.
TheProgrammewasdevelopedfollowingareviewofbusinesssupportin2013,andisoverseenbytheGrowthProgrammePartnershipBoardandLEPBoard.
ProgrammeyearsrunfromSeptembertoAugust,however,thedataispresentedasthefinancialyear,ApriltoMarch.
AllelementsoftheProgrammearebuiltintotheNorfolkandSuffolkEconomicPlan,withfundingforthecurrentprogrammecomingfromBEISandERDFfunding.
WhatistheoverallProgrammeStatus?
Finance Green Ontracktomeetthespendprofile.
Outputs Green Majorityofoutputsmetofontrack,however,duetoCovid,wearebehindourlighttouch(3hours)andin‐depth(12hours)supporttargets.
Delivery Green TheProgrammeisperformingwellintermsofdelivery.
Whatareourkeyupdates?
InmidofNovemberthegrantinterventionratewasincreasedfrom20%to40%,asaresultofcurrentenvironmentandbusinesspressures.
ProactivecampaigninghasincreaseddemandandalltheSGSgrantfundinghasnowbeenallocated.
InDecember14projectswereapproved(£223,088grantvalue/£509,853privatematch),whileinJanuary31projectswereapproved(£438,713grantvalue/£765,144
privatematch).
Themajorityoftargetshavebeenexceeded,inpartduetoarecentsignificantdemandforstart‐upsupportandpartnershipworkingtoensuresuccess.
DespitetheGrowthHubsupportingrecordnumbersofbusinesses,Covidmeantevidencegatheringwasalmostimpossible,whichhadasignificantimpactontargetsclaimed.
OurContractManageratDLUHChasconfirmedthatweareregardedasaverysuccessfulprojectthathasdeliveredhighqualitysupportinverychallengingcircumstances.
Whatisourfinancialposition?
Financials(£million)
Year 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/22 2022/23* 2023/2024* Total
ProfileSpend £0.306 £1.301 £3.443 £7.673 £6.108 £4.712 £4.957 £4.299 £1.859 £34.658
ActualSpend £0.306 £1.301 £3.409 £7.672 £6.107 £4.707 £3.897 £1.656 £29.055
RemainingSpend £0.000 £0.000 £0.034 £0.001 £0.001 £0.005 £1.060 £2.643 £1.859 £5.603
WhatisourcontributiontotheEconomicStrategy?
Targets
to
June2023
Deliveredto
endofJanuary
2023
Monthly
Change
Numberofapprovedgrants 460 527 31
Businessesreceiving‘in‐depth’support‐morethan12hours 1,304 1,035 1
Businessesstart‐upssupported 1,563 1,671 0
Valueofgrantsreceivedbybusinesses £4.781m £3.633m £2,000
Privateinvestmentprovidedbybusinesses £17.329m £15.036m £8,004
Employmentincreaseinsupportedbusinesses 1,646 1,679 0
Businessesintroducingnewproducts 94 79 0
BusinessesreceivingInformation/Diagnostic/Brokerage 4,385 3,372 10
Whatistheprojectstatus?
Overall: Amber→
GrowthHub Amber→ Ongoingissuesgatheringtheevidencerequiredtoclaimlighttouch(3hours)andin‐depth(12hours)supporttargets.
SmallGrantScheme Green→ Workingwithpartnerstoensurethespendandprivatematchtargetsaremet.
Start‐Up(Nwes) Green→
Start‐Up(Menta) Green→
Whatarethenextsteps?
WorktowardsasmoothtransitionfromtheERDFfundedprogrammetoanewSPFfundedprogramme.
Workwithpartners,particularlySuffolkChamberandSuffolkCountyCounciltoensurethesuccessfulconclusionoftheprogrammeandsmoothtransitiontoSPFdelivery.
WorkwiththeInsightWorksregardingtheFinalSummativeAssessmentandreflectthesignificantsuccessesoftheprogramme.
Note:datainredhasnotbeenupdatedasitwasnotavailableatthemomentwhenthisreportwasbeingupdated.
2022/2023ExpenditureProfile(£4.299million)
Workingwithpartnerstoensurethetargetismet
Workingwithpartnerstoensurethetargetismet
Targetexceeded
Ontracktomeettarget
LikelyshortfallasaresultoftheimpactofCovid
Outputs‐CumulativefromSeptember2015toJune2023 Notes
Targetexceeded
LikelyshortfallasaresultoftheimpactofCovid
Targetexceeded
QuarterlyspendforQ322/23is
£130kbelowourprofiledueto
delaysinbusinessesclaiming
grantawards,theseclaimsare
expectedtocomethroughinQ1
2023/24.
Q1‐22/23 Q2‐22/23 Q3‐22/23 Q4‐22/23
QuarterlyForecast £1.125 £1.117 £1.040 £1.017
QuarterlySpend £0.369 £0.377 £0.910
Variance £0.756 £0.740 £0.130 £1.017
0
1
2
3
4
Forecastand
ActualSpend
£Millions
32
EnterpriseAdviserNetworkandCareersHub
ProgrammeOverview‐WhatistheCareersHub.
•TheNewAngliaEnterpriseAdviserNetworkisaccountabletotheLEPBoardwithdirectinputfromtheSkillsAdvisoryPanel.
•WithfundingfromtheCareersandEnterpriseCompanyalongwithmatchfundingfromESFtheCareersHubwillcurrentlyrununtilendofAugust2023.
•TheCareersHubcomprises135schoolsacrossEastAngliawiththeaimofallschoolsachievingonaveragefiveGatsbyBenchmarksbyAug2023.
WhatistheoverallProgrammeStatus?
Finance Green MeetingthecontractapprovedCareersandEnterpriseGrantClaimwhichis50%oftherunningcostsandresourcesfortheCareersHub.
Outputs Amber Programmeslightlyundertargetsatendof21‐22academicyear.
Delivery Green TheProgrammeisperformingwellintermsofdeliverywithEAsbeingbroughtintotheNetworkandBenchmarkperformanceincreasing.
Whatareourkeyupdates?
•90%of135MainstreamandFEInstitutestobematchedtoanEAbytheendofAugust2023.
•80%ofmatchedschoolstobefullyachievingBM1bytheendofAugust2023.
•70%ofmatchedschoolstobefullyachievingBM5bytheendofAugust2023.
•60%ofmatchedschoolstobefullyachievingBM6bytheendofAugust2023.
Whatisourfinancialposition?
Financials(£)
Year 2021‐220
2
2022‐202
3
Quarter Qtr.1(AprtoJun) Qtr.2(Jul‐Aug) Qtr.3(SeptoDec) Qtr.4(JantoMar) Qtr.1(AprtoJun) Qtr.2(Jul‐Aug) Qtr.3(SeptoDec) Qtr.4(JantoMar)
LEPCosts £121,613.7
8
£77,511.1
9
£145,575.2
6
£112,307.8
5
£114,516.0
7
£81,574.1
6
£161,388.5
1
CECGrant
Claim £77,850.90 £50,120.04 £108,343.82 £82,334.41 £83,904.43 £61,206.88
ESFClaim £303,674.77 £51,092.96
FundingclaimstotheCECaremadefourtimesayear(quarterly).
CECpay50%oftheEANandcontribute100%oftheCareersHubStrategicandOperationalLeads.
MatchfundingisthroughESFratherthanEnterpriseZonePotC.
Outputs
Target‐August
2023
Actuals‐Endof
Dec2022 Diff
MainstreamandFESchoolsSigneduptotheNetwork. 133 135 2
MainstreamandFESchoolsmatchedtoanEA. 133 105 ‐28
MatchedschoolsfullyachievingBM1. 80% 50% ‐30%
MatchedschoolsfullyachievingBM5. 70% 82% 12%
MatchedschoolsfullyachievingBM6. 60% 53% ‐7%
Whatistheprojectstatus?
•TheCareersHubhassecuredfundingfortheacademicyear2022‐2023fromCECwiththematchrequirementmetbythesuccessfulESFbid.
•ThesecuredESFfundingrunsthroughtotheendof2023withtheexpectationthatCECwillcontinuetofundCareersHubsthroughthisperiod.
•BM1isfocussedonthecreationofastable,aspirationalandeffectivecareersprogrammethatsupportsstudentstobeknowledgeableofpost16progressionroutes.
•BM1consistsof17sub‐benchmarkswithcurrently25schoolsonly1or2subBM'sawayfromfullyachievingBM1.
•SchoolsareexperiencingchallengeswithstaffinglevelsduetoCovidthatisrequiringcareersstafftosupportwithothertaskswhichstillimpactonthedeliveryofcareers
activities
Overall: Ambe
r
CareersHub Ambe
r
TheCareersHubisslightlyunderperformingagainstitsrevisedCECtargets.
Whatarethenextsteps?
•Strategyandalignedlocalhubfundspendfor2022‐23academicyeartobefinalisedandapproved.
•ProvidingvirtualandonlinesupporttoteachersandcareersleadstoraisetheaspirationsoftheyoungpeopleofNorfolkandSuffolk.
•ContinuetorecruitEnterpriseAdvisorstomatchtoschools,eventheldinDecemberledtotherecruitementof13newEAs.
•FocusseddrivetoassistschoolstoachieveBM1continuingduringterm2,provisionoftemplatesandresourcestoschoolsandcolleges.
•TheCareersHubconsistsofnineEnterpriseCoordinators,twoOperationalandoneStrategicHubLeads.
Outputs‐ToAug2022.
•TheCareersHubwascreatedandcommissionedb
y
theCareersandEnter
p
riseCom
p
an
y
(
CEC
)
whichinturnwascommissionedb
y
theDe
p
artmentforEducation
(
DfE
)
.
•EnterpriseAdvisers(EA)areBusinessVolunteersrecruitedtosupportschoolswithassistingpupilstoexperiencetheworkplaceandhavemeaningfulencounterwithemployers.
Notes
Ofthoseschoolsthathavesubmittedareturn
Ofthoseschoolsthathavesubmittedareturn
Ofthoseschoolsthathavesubmittedareturn
35
New Anglia LEP Board Forward Plan – 2023
Date Strategic Operational
25th January Cancelled
22rd February LEP Strategic Priorities
Skills Bootcamps
County Deals
Space Cluster
Programme Performance Reports
Quarterly Management Accounts
30th March Agri-Food Industry Council Report
Innovation Board Update
LEP Operating Budget 22/23 Update
Programme Performance Report
CEO Pay Award
April No Board Meeting
24th May
ICT Digital Industry Council Report
All Energy Industry Council Report
Operating and Capital Budgets 22/23
Quarterly Management Accounts
New Anglia Capital Report
Perfo
r
mance Reports
21st June
Skills Advisory Panel Report Programme Performance Reports
Operating & HR Policies
19th July
Innovation Board Report
Clean Growth Taskforce
Programme Performance Reports
Accounts Approval
Quarterly Management Accounts
August No Board Meeting
20th September
Inward Investment Report
Programme Performance Reports
20th September New Anglia LEP AGM
25th October Agri-Food Industry Council Report
All Ene
r
gy Industry Council Repo
r
t
Programme Performance Reports
Qua
r
te
r
ly Management Accounts
29th November
ICT Digital Industry Council Report
Programme Performance Reports
New Anglia Capital Report
Decembe
r
No Board Meeting
Meetingsarevirtualunlessotherwisestated.
Standing Items (where relevant)
IAC recommendations
Chief Executive’s Report
LEP Inte
g
ration
(
Inte
g
rated into CEO report
)
Items to be Scheduled
Create Growth
Growth Hub
Towns Deals
Sizewell C
EZs / IZs
Freeport East
Enterprise Advisor Network
36
