New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board Meeting

Thursday 30th March 2023

10.00am – 11.30am

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. Agri-Food Industry Council Report Update

6. New Anglia Innovation Board Update

Operational

7 LEP Board Membership For Approval

8. Ipswich Creative Hub – Confidential For Approval

9. Chief Executive’s Report Update

10. Board Forward Plan Update

11. Any Other Business Update

12. CEO Pay Reward – Confidential For Approval

13. Norfolk County Deal – Consultation Response For Approval



1



Confidential

New Anglia Board Meeting Minutes (Unconfirmed)

22nd February 2023

Present:

Kathy Atkinson (KA) Valeo Snack Foods

C-J Green (CJG) Brave Goose

Pete Joyner (PJ) Shorthose Russell

Helen Langton (HL) University of Suffolk

Steve Oliver (SO) SWECO

David Pomfret (DP) College of West Anglia

Andrew Proctor (AP) Norfolk County Council

Johnathan Reynolds (JR) Opergy

Sandy Ruddock (SR) Scarlett & Mustard

Attendees

Mike Todman (MT) BEIS

Jan Feeney (JF) Norfolk County Council

Rob Hancock (RH) Suffolk County Council

Chris Dashper (CD) 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



2

Actions from the meeting: (22.2.23)

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, David Ellesmere, Matthew Hicks, John

Griffiths, Dominic Keen, Claire Cullens and Jeanette Wheeler. CJG noted this meant the meeting was

not quorate.

3 Declarations of Interest

None

4 Actions/Minutes from the last Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 30th November were agreed as accurate.

5 LEP Strategic Priorities

Chris Starkie (CS) updated the board of the successful progress against the priorities

established for 2022 and presented the strategic priorities identified for 2023.

CS advised that the overarching strategic priority to develop a successful transition plan for

the LEP working with both county councils as the County Deals were implemented. He

highlighted the important role of private sector board members in this process and noted they

would be involved throughout the transition process which will need to ensure the assets of

the LEP are protected and utilised, as intended, to support the growth of the local economy.

CS reviewed the other ongoing priorities and provided detail of the work of the LEP in these

areas noting that the LEP would be focussing on delivering in these key areas:

1 Business support and innovation

2 Skills and the labour force

3 Support place

David Pomfret (DP) noted the importance of skills and highlighted the challenges in meeting

the skills requirements in emerging sectors. DP queried whether more could be done to

engage with businesses and provide innovative ways or tackling these issues and the LEP’s

USP in this area could be expended.

Helen Langton (HL) agreed with the overarching priority and expressed support for the aim of

delivering in a reduced scope in order to provide effective deliveries in key areas.

Johnathan Reynolds (JR) proposed incorporating Clean Growth in all LEP deliveries and also

agreed that the LEP should promote links between business and collages. He noted that

links will need to be made with other regions as the full supply chain requirements will not be

met by this region alone.

Pete Joyner (PJ) asked whether the LEP had the staff capacity to support ongoing work. CS

agreed there was capacity at the current time however the ongoing uncertainty meant that

there was always a risk of staff churn.

Andrew Proctor (AP) highlighted the challenges facing the care sector. CS confirmed that

one cohort from the peer to peer network was from this sector and it was important to work

with the Growth Hub to maintain support.

Kathy Atkinson (KA) suggested that this year the priorities many need to be reviewed more

regularly in the light of potential staff changes.

The Board agreed:

3

To note the content of the report

To note progress against 22/23 priorities and agree the proposed strategic priorities for

2023/24

6 Skills Bootcamps Update

Chris Dashper (CD) provided the board with an overview of the work carried out by the LEP to

date on the bootcamps. The initial target of 240 learners joining a bootcamp has been met

and leaners are working with a range of providers in key sectors.

CD advised that the LEP is now working towards 280 learners and any additional learners will

complete their courses later than the original end date of the end of March. These “flex

learners” will be funded by the DFE.

£1.4m has been allocated for Wave 2 for targeted at 322 learners and this wave also provided

the opportunity to broaden sector coverage. 17 tenders have been received including health

and social care and engineering and EV skills.

CS confirmed that quality visits had been carried out and LEP staff had been involved in a

visit to an arboreal training course which had demonstrated the success of the course and the

opportunities which were provided to the learners.

HL noted success of the LEP’s bootcamps as similar leaning programmes had not had the

same results across the country.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the report

7 County Deals

AP confirmed that the consultation for the deal had been started and would end on 20th March

and advised that some funding had already been received. AP advised that a separate

consultation was ongoing with businesses which was important given their role in the future

and that the process was still on track to be completed this year.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the report

8 Norfolk & Suffolk Space Cluster

Julian Munson (JM) provided an overview of the success bid which resulted in an award of

£163k to establish a Norfolk & Suffolk space cluster. A manager has been appointed and

work is ongoing to produce a brand for the new cluster brand which will be launched on 10th

March at the Connected Innovation conference at Adastral Park.

JM confirmed that a further £16k has been awarded investigate establishing agri-living lab

which brings together resource from across clusters. A feasibility study will be carried out to

assess the potential of having a physical lab in the future.

Progress is also 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.

Work is also ongoing to establish a healthy space living lab using 5G and satellite

applications.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the report

9 Chief Executive’s Report

CS advised that conversations are ongoing with districts regarding the use of the Shared

Prosperity Funds to provide ongoing business support at the end of the ERDF funding.

Small Grants Scheme - £4.7m has already been committed to business and CS requested an

overcommitment of £137k to the scheme to allow for the expected drop out of some

4

companies which will not be eligible for the fund. As the board meeting was not quorate CS

proposed that the Chair use her delegated authority to approve the overcommitment.

This was agreed by the board.

CJG updated the board on a recent visit to One Farm and JR highlighted the Connected

Innovation Conference on 10th March at Adastral Park.

CS noted funding has been secured in Suffolk to continue NAAME for 2 years and

discussions were underway to finalise the agreement for Norfolk.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the report

To note that the Operating Budget will be presented to the LEP Board in May.

To approve the delegation to the Chair of the approval of an over-commitment of up to

£135k against the allocated budget of the Small Grant Scheme

The Chair agreed:

To approve the over-commitment of up to £135k against the allocated budget of the Small

Grant Scheme

10 Quarterly Management Accounts – Confidential

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the management accounts

11 February Programme Performance Reports

CJG advised that these would be taken as read by the board.

There were no further questions.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the report

12 Board Forward Plan

CJG reviewed the items on the agenda for the March meeting.

The Board agreed:

To note the content of the plan

13 Any Other Business

None.

1



New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Thursday 30th March 2023

Agenda Item 5

Agri-Food Industry Council Report

Author: James Allen Presenter(s): 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

Note the progress made on strategic sector plans

Background

In 2019 the LEP convened three Industry Councils to drive forward the aspirations of our

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,

former principal of City College Norwich. The LEP works closely with the regional

partnership organisation Agri-TechE in delivering activities related to the AFIC.

Agri-Food Industry Council: objectives and delivery

The AFIC delivery plan fully aligns with the Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk. This

delivery plan is refreshed on an annual basis to ensure it remains relevant to the AFIC’s

aims and objectives. Current strategic objectives include:

1. Deliver a regional innovation support programme at the Broadland Food

Innovation Centre

2. Establish a regional food and drink cluster.

2



3. Maximise the potential of the Food Enterprise Zones in Norfolk and Suffolk,

attracting investment to and capitalising on the Freeport East opportunity.

4. Develop collaborative investment where there are economies of scale in

storage, distribution, and processing as a catalyst for adding value to our

agricultural products.

5. Collaborate across the region to develop new projects that harness research

strengths.

6. Develop a world-leading hub for plant and microbial research at John Innes

Centre with the Sainsbury Laboratory.

7. Work with farmers, land managers, and environmental specialists to target

environmental land management initiatives, maximising natural capital and

enabling productivity.

8. Grow the skills provision for the agri-food sector.

Progress and Delivery

 Broadland Food Innovation Centre (BFIC) & Establishing a food and drink

cluster for Norfolk and Suffolk: BFIC is almost full with tenants now. The new

annual Nourish: Food and Drink Innovation Conference takes place on 29th March

2023 setting out the three sections of the project – innovation support, cluster

development and the BFIC. New Anglia LEP and Growth Hub are joining forces with

the Innovation Cluster at Defra’s Food and Drink Summit, exhibiting at the LEP

Network’s stand and making new connections to promote employment opportunities

in the sector.

 Agri-Food Consultancy Report: New Anglia LEP commissioned SAC Consulting to

undertake updated business intelligence work on the agri-food sector, ‘Defining the

future of the agri-food sector in Norfolk and Suffolk’ is a joint project between the

LEP’s Inward Investment, Innovation and Sectors, and Strategy teams. It will help

provide the latest insights into our agri-food sector, detailed market intelligence and

insights into how the sector is changing, focus for the Industry Council’s activities and

support with proposition development, promoting Norfolk and Suffolk as a destination

for investment.

 Agri-Food in Eastern Region & Harnessing research strengths: Building on the

collaboration to date around agri-tech in the Eastern region, New Anglia LEP

submitted an expression of interest to Innovate UK’s Launchpad Competition. which

invited local place leaders to partner on future Launchpad programmes of investment

for targeted business innovation clusters – investing up to £7.5m for business-led

innovation projects and wrap-around support. The consortium includes New Anglia

LEP, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined

Authority, Norwich Research Park, University of Cambridge, University of Lincoln,

UEA, Agri-TechE, BT and NIAB. The proposal identifies two major global market

opportunities in the agri-food tech company arena: advancing agri-tech companies to

proof-of-concept in a market context; and scaling up those companies. Our targeted

approach for a Launchpad would focus on:

o translating our region's world class portfolio of basic plant science,

capitalising on the deregulation of gene editing, to generate and

commercialise products that improve the nation's health, deliver sustainable

materials, drive sustainable agriculture and deliver sustainable economic

growth.

o emerging and rapidly translating our digital technologies. This includes AI,

Machine Learning and Robotics, delivering the National AI Strategy,

Innovation Strategy and Automation in Horticulture Strategy.

3



 DIT High Potential Opportunity (HPO): The LEP and Norwich Research Park

partners are working with Capsule Marketing on a digital marketing campaign to

promote the HPO in Plant Science and Nutrition. This will be a social media

campaign driving targeted traffic to an expert webinar and a resource hub. This will

provide an ongoing element of the campaign and help to build interest, awareness,

engagement and generate a pipeline of activity. Institutes will have access to the

assets produced to create their own campaigns. The campaign is being funded from

the Enterprise Zone Pot B and contributions from NRP institute partners.

 Skills: AFIC, working with the Agri-Food Skills Group, contributed to Defra’s

independent review of labour shortages. Greg Smith, Chair of the Skills Group, took

part in a roundtable on top of the written submission. Both the Skills Group and AFIC

are supporting with the Local Skills Improvement Plan work being led by Collison

Associates. Feedback to date during the LSIP process:

o Businesses are finding it difficult to recruit to every type and every level of job

in the sector.

o Automation and digital skills have been identified as skills gaps.

o Need to do a lot more in schools to increase STEM skills.

o Businesses are being pushed to do more around the climate, carbon, water

and biodiversity, but there are not enough people trained with these skills.

o Mental health, wellbeing and safety are all seen as very important.

Skills Bootcamps have supported 10 learners who completed the Level 2 Fastrack to

Farming. Level 2 Fastrack to Horticulture currently has 6 learners. In total,

Bootcamps will have supported 23 learners on the Level 2 Fastrack to Arboriculture.

 Space Sector Plan for Norfolk & Suffolk: the agri-food sector already makes

extensive use of space applications and services. The size of the market in addition

to the expertise at Norwich Research Park, CEFAS, and Agri-TechE, provides us

with great opportunities in Norfolk and Suffolk. These were highlighted during the

‘Space Tech meets Agri-Tech’ event at Easton College funded by the Connected

Innovation programme, showcasing opportunities around applications of space and

satellite technology for the agri-food sector.

 Agri-Space Living Lab: In addition to the UK Space Agency funding to develop

‘Space East’, the LEP secured £16k to work with the Satellite Applications Catapult

and consultants Current.Works to explore the potential for an Agri Space Living Lab

in the region. The consultants have held a number of interviews with AFIC members

and representatives from the sector to understand what test bed environments would

benefit from a Living Lab.

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.

The LEP awaits Innovate UK’s assessment of the expression of interest to the Launchpad

Programme around ‘Agri-Food Tech in the Eastern Region’.

Space East will work with the Space Cluster members and the Satellite Applications Catapult

to explore potential agri-food projects, building on the feasibility study for an Agri Space

Living Lab.

Recommendations

The Board is invited to:

 Note the contents of the paper

 Note the progress made on strategic sector plans

1

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Thursday 30th March 2023

Agenda Item 6

New Anglia Innovation Board

Author: Julian Munson Presenter: Julian Munson and Johnathan Reynolds

Summary

This paper provides an update on the work of the New Anglia Innovation Board, a sub-group of

New Anglia LEP.

Recommendations

The Board is invited to note the contents of the paper.

Background

The Innovation Board was set up in 2015 to provide a focus for decision making and leadership

regarding innovation strategy, programme and project development. Since its inception, it has

championed a number of initiatives, including the Science and Innovation Audits and built

strategic relationships with national organisations such as Innovate UK and Catapult Network.

As an important foundation of productivity, innovation is a key focus within the Norfolk and

Suffolk Economic Strategy. Following the Government’s launch of the UK’s Innovation Strategy

in 2021, the LEP actively engages with Government to raise the awareness of innovation and

champions the need for further support for businesses and institutions in Norfolk and Suffolk.

The UK Innovation Strategy sets out a clear roadmap to making the UK a global hub for

innovation by 2035 and placing innovation at the centre. The challenge is that innovation

activity is unequally spread across the UK with wide disparities across regions and within

regions. A stronger place-based approach to driving innovation across all sectors, all

businesses and all locations is required.

Although Norfolk and Suffolk is home to pockets of world-class activity, innovation is highly

concentrated in a small number of clusters and businesses with wide disparities. As part of the

levelling up agenda, the Government is actively supporting science and innovation activity

outside of the ‘Greater South-East’ which can put Norfolk and Suffolk at a disadvantage.

The Innovation Board continues to play an important strategic role in helping to shape the

innovation agenda for Norfolk and Suffolk across our priority sectors, working with national and

local partners, as well as already prioritising a focus on the clean growth/net zero agenda.

New Anglia Innovation Board

Membership: includes representatives from the universities (University of East Anglia,

University of Suffolk and Norwich University of the Arts), innovation hubs (CEFAS, Hethel

2

Innovation, Norwich Research Park, Adastral Park and Orbis Energy), Local Authorities (Suffolk

and Norfolk County Councils) as well as an observer from Innovate UK. Membership has now

been extended to include Innovations Labs and Oxford Innovation. The board is chaired by

Johnathan Reynolds, Managing Director of Opergy and LEP private sector board member –

providing a clear link between the LEP board and the innovation board.

Structure: the Innovation Board agenda and focus is structured around key identified work

priorities and themes (highlighted below). It is also prioritising strengthening links with the other

LEP sub-boards and receives regular updates from the LEP’s Industry Councils for example,

with the aim of enhancing opportunities for cross-sector innovation and collaboration.

Purpose: The Innovation Board maintains the strategic focus and thought leadership in

innovation, on behalf of the main LEP Board, and supports the delivery of innovation activity

outlined in the Economic Strategy. It has an agreed set of high-level strategic objectives:

Norfolk and Suffolk are recognised as a centre for pioneering ideas, meeting the

challenges we face globally;

Science and innovation are net contributors to the Norfolk and Suffolk economy;

A highly skilled workforce equipped with the skills necessary to access the

techniques and business practices needed for innovation;

Existing assets continue to strengthen and develop into a pan-regional innovation

ecosystem.

Workstreams: In order to successfully deliver on the strategic objectives, a set of workstreams

were defined with key activities under each being delivered. The key highlights of progress and

delivery are provided below:

1. Improve the innovation infrastructure in Norfolk and Suffolk by supporting key

strategic projects. Progress update highlights include:

a. Supported the Smart Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) project – led

by UEA with the aim of creating a high-speed data loop connecting NRP, BT,

Cambridge University and University of Essex to deliver collaboration and new

research and innovation programmes. A BT hosted ‘Hot House’ event was held

on 28th October involving key partners. The LEP supported and spoke at this

event and Metro Dynamics presented on the economic case that has been

developed. Some further work is required on sector specific use-cases to help

underpin a technical business plan.

b. Supported and endorsed key innovation capital projects including:

i. Innovative projects on the Food Enterprise Park, following the launch last

year of the Broadland Food Innovation Centre and its’ Food and Drink

Cluster activity, across Norfolk and Suffolk;

ii. Strengthening industry links with key assets such as DigiTech Centres

and Productivity East with the latter recently hosting a visit by the

NAAME network, for example.

iii. Working with partners to advance proposals for new business innovation

and incubation facilities in King’s Lynn, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket,

Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth.

c. Continue to support and promote the Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation

Network (LoRaWAN) project, funded by the LEP, NCC and SCC, to deploy a

wide scale sensor network to support Internet of Things (IoT) trials/prototyping

and new businesses and IoT services. Progressing a number of applications and

user cases from smart bins and street lighting to social care and assisted living.

3

2. Increase the level public and private sector investment in innovation. Progress

update highlights include:

a. Continued support to the delivery of the Innovation Grant Mentoring

Scheme which provides tailored support for businesses bidding for innovation

funding e.g. Innovate UK. Good progress has been made with a number of

businesses supported with 1:1 mentoring, bid writing coaching and early-stage

concept mentoring. Bids have been progressed and submitted to Innovate UK

and other funding schemes. The LEP and partners Norfolk County Council and

Suffolk County Council continue to promote this important programme,

particularly via the Connected Innovation network. Although the LEP funding has

come to an end, both County Councils have agreed to continue to support,

enabling this important advice service to continue.

b. Promoting the Growth Through Innovation (GTI) grants scheme to help

support scale up and innovative businesses, with high level of take up of ERDF

funded grants ranging from £1-25K, administered via the LEP. A campaign

targeting key sector groups e.g. NAAME, and networks such as Connected

Innovation, helped increase applications during the remainder of 2022-23.

c. Continuing to support and promote the New Anglia Capital Group – an

angel co-investment programme which has created a network of angel investors

and an extensive portfolio of innovative businesses.

3. Support the innovation ecosystem in Norfolk and Suffolk, developing and

promoting innovation clusters. Progress update highlights include:

a. Continue to deliver the 2-Year Connected Innovation Programme to

strengthen the network of innovation hubs across Norfolk and Suffolk and

enhance cross-sector innovation and collaboration. Funded by the Norfolk

Strategic Fund and Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund. Updates include:

i. Connected Innovation Network has now grown to 24 innovation

hubs engaged and involved across Norfolk and Suffolk.

ii. Connected Innovation showcase event held on 10th March at

Adastral Park:

 Over 150 delegates attended and heard from keynote speakers

including George Freeman MP, Minister of State, Science,

Innovation and Technology, Johnathan Reynolds, Chair of New

Anglia Innovation Board, and Dr Will Drury, Interim Executive

Director, Innovate UK.

 A series of panel debate sessions also involved representatives

from across the Connected Innovation hubs network e.g. NRP,

BT, MENTA, Innovation Labs, Hethel Innovation, OrbisEnergy,

CEFAS, UEA and University of Suffolk.

 Released a short video to showcase and highlight the LEP’s

Connected Innovation programme.

 Launched the new Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Prospectus

New‐Anglia‐LEP‐Innovation‐Prospectus‐Feb‐23.pdf(newanglia.co.uk)

iii. Delivered cross-sector tech challenge events, with delivery

partner Tech East, including offshore wind, financial services and

manufacturing. As a result of a Fintech workshop event, a

successful bid to the Norfolk Investment Framework fund, led by

Tech East, will enable further development of the fintech cluster.

iv. Support and promote a range of Innovation Hub events activity

including the Enterprise Wednesday event at Norwich Research

Park, SpaceTech meets AgriTech (with AgriTech E), Algae

4

Innovation Platform Showcase (Hethel) and ‘KLIC and Connect’

events (King’s Lynn)

v. 28 events have now been hosted and supported overall with over

900 attendees. These have facilitated 86 introductions and

collaborations.

vi. Engaging with the innovation hubs and identifying common issues

such as the lack of grow-on space for tenant businesses seeking

to scale up.

vii. Communication with district council partners around support from

the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for continuation of the business

support and innovation activity (including Connected Innovation).

b. Identifying and progressing new collaborations linking regional

businesses, universities and research centres with national Government,

including Catapults and Innovate UK to drive new strategic projects and

growth sector opportunities. Funding bids submitted/being developed include:

i. Innovate UK Innovation Launchpad – Led by New Anglia LEP

in collaboration with partners across Norfolk, Suffolk,

Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, an Expression of Interest has

been submitted for an Agri-tech Launchpad. If successful, the

Launchpad will provide investment for technology translation and

scale-up to help agri-food tech SMEs to accelerate their growth,

building on our expertise in plant science, AI, machine learning

and robotics. We await the outcome from Innovate UK.

ii. Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (EPSRC) – to

support programmes of impact activities within a research and

innovation cluster. The LEP is in communication with regional

universities around supporting potential consortia bids.

c. Supported and helped promote new innovation programmes and

partnerships – in addition to working with the innovation hubs network in the

region, New Anglia LEP has formed an active relationship with Barclays Eagle

Labs in relation to new opportunities within our region and has helped facilitate

new introductions. Barclays Eagle Labs has also been awarded a national

Government Digital Growth Grant for a 2-year programme from April 2023 to

increase support for the tech sector and unlock potential for the next generation

of start-ups and scale-ups. This programme supersedes Tech Nation.

d. Promotion of the Norfolk and Suffolk ‘Innovation Offer’ via the update of

the Innovation Prospectus to profile all of the innovation centres and science,

research and development activity.

e. Progressed emerging innovation clusters and opportunities including:

i. Officially launching the Space East Cluster at the Connected

Innovation Conference on 10th March, following the LEP’s

successful bid to the UK Space Agency. The new cluster was

officially launched by Minister George Freeman. The website for

Space East has gone live: www.spaceeast.co.uk . A new Space

Cluster Manager has been appointed, Stuart Catchpole, who

officially starts on 3rd April.

ii. Advancing relationships with the wider Catapult Network

including:

 Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult - Following the LEP

supported, Fit4Offshore Wind programme, a new technology

5

accelerator cohort support programme has been developed

called Launch Academy. Funding is secured from Norfolk,

Suffolk and Essex County Councils, RWE and ORE Catapult

and 9 SMEs will be supported through a tailored 7-month

programme. NationalLaunchAcademy‐ORE(catapult.org.uk)

 LEP is progressing conversations with the Satellite Applications

Catapult, local authorities and BT with plans to establish a

Space Enterprise Lab in the region (at Adastral Park).

 LEP has secured £16,000 of additional funding from UKSA to

progress a feasibility study, working with the Satellite

Applications Catapult, for an Agri-Space Living Lab. The LEP

and Catapult is working with partners via the 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. Satellite Applications

Catapult have contracted consultants called Current Works.

 LEP is working with the Satellite Applications Catapult and local

partners such as BT, Suffolk County Council, University of

Suffolk, to explore opportunities in health and social care and

the application of new technologies to enhance delivery and

reduce costs. The Catapult has agreed to sponsor an ‘Explore

Spark’ workshop hosted at Adastral Park on 17th April, with

various stakeholders. The outcome of this will provide evidence

of need and opportunity to support potential new funding bids.

iii. LEP progressing proposals for the UK’s first rural and

coastal regional innovation cluster and is in discussion with

Government around this being formally recognised as one of the

UK’s innovation clusters. The Minister made reference to this in

his speech at the Connected Innovation Conference.

iv. Innovate UK Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Action Plan –

following a recent visit to Adastral Park by Indro Mukerjee, CEO

Innovate UK, hosted by officials from BT, University of Suffolk and

New Anglia LEP, Innovate UK has confirmed it will work with New

Anglia LEP and partners on developing and launching a regional

action plan for Norfolk and Suffolk. This is expected to help

strengthen commitment to supporting the region and encourage

more businesses to focus on innovation.

4. Assist and develop the best talent for delivering innovation at the scientific,

technical and business levels. Progress update highlights include:

a. Supporting the Funding Fit Programme activity including Knowledge Transfer

Partnerships (KTP) working with University partners, including support for KTP

events held at UEA and University of Suffolk.

b. Continue to promote the various skills capital projects such as the University of

Suffolk/ Adastral Park Digitech Centre.

c. Supported the sector skills plans, particularly those focused on high value

sectors including ICT Digital, Agri-Food and Clean Energy.

d. Promote and raise awareness of Skills Bootcamps focused on digital skills.

6

Looking ahead – Priorities for 2023-24

In addition to continuing to oversee and monitor the implementation of various innovation

projects and programmes, the Innovation Board will prioritise the following activities in 2023/24:

 Continue to strengthen relationships and collaboration with key Government

departments and agencies including UKRI, Innovate UK, Catapults, BEIS etc. to

progress new projects and emerging opportunities in relation to key

sectors/technologies e.g. space/satellite applications, marine science, agri-tech, digital

health, AI, data science and environmental technologies. Develop cross-sector

innovation projects and new partnerships to leverage these opportunities,

 Raise national (and international) profile of our key innovation activities and

continue to showcase our innovation assets via the Innovation Prospectus, DIT HPOs

(Adastral Park and NRP/BFIC), Inward Investment team, Connected Innovation etc.,

 Continue to strengthen our innovation ecosystem and delivering business

support services through connecting and promoting our innovation centres/hubs,

universities, science/technology parks and local co-working spaces and creative digital

hubs with support activity e.g. Growth Hub, Innovate UK Edge, LEP etc.

 Continue to strengthen links across LEP sub-boards - Industry Councils, Clean

Growth Task Force, Innovation Board – with a focus on innovation and skills,

 Focus on driving forward strategic opportunities for innovation, skills and

investment in relation to Freeport East and other major regional projects. This includes

support for Sizewell C supply chain activity and plans for a Skills and Innovation Centre

(Gateway 14) and a logistics supply chain skills and innovation centre (Felixstowe),

 Develop proposals and plans for addressing the lack of grow-on space as reported

by many of the region’s innovation and business centres and identify some potential

development options e.g. Enterprise Zones,

 Develop and launch a regional Innovation Action Plan, working with Innovate UK

and key regional stakeholders, bridging the wide spectrum of activity from exploratory

science and research through to commercialisation, enterprise innovation and skills,

 Evolution of the Connected Innovation programme beyond the current funded

phase (to March 2023) identifying new funding opportunities (public/private). An

evolution of the programme proposes a stronger focus on developing wider innovation

clusters and business support, beyond the existing innovation centres and geography,

to drive forward the regional innovation and business support agenda,

 Progress plans for a Regional Innovation Cluster, focused in a rural and coastal

context, to be formally recognised by Government,

 Progress Space East cluster activity with development of an action plan with key

priority sector-based projects.

Recommendations

The Board is invited to note the contents of the paper.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Thursday 30th March 20203

Agenda Item 7

Board Membership

uthor: Chris Starkie P

resenter: C-J Green

Summary

This paper makes a number of recommendations for board approval regarding the private

sector membership of the board.

Whilst the LEP’s articles of association only require the private sector members to agree

amongst themselves the composition of the private sector members, including new appointees

and extension of terms, it has always been best practice for appointments and changes to

length of service to be agreed by the full board. The public sector and education sector are

responsible for their own appointments without ratification by the board.

The recommendations are being brought in order to bring stability and continuity during the

transition phase of the LEP.

Recommendation

The board is invited to agree the following recommendations from the chair.

1 To agree the extension of the terms of the following board members until the end of the LEP

transition period – expected to be April 1st 2024. Sandy Ruddock, Dominic Allen and Johnathan

Reynolds.

2 Permit the chair (if deemed necessary by the chair) to further extend the terms of board

membership for the purposes of an orderly close down and transfer of functions to a new body

or bodies.

3 To agree that the chair can bring forward recommendations to the LEP board for two new

board members.

2 To agree the appointment of two new private sector board members as outlined below.

The board is further invited to agree a further recommendation from the chief executive.

1 To agree an extension to the term of the chair from the normal three-year term in order to

maintain continuity in the transition period.

Background

The LEP board is comprised of eighteen persons, six local authority, ten private sector and two

education.

This make up is determined by Government requirements for the board to be two thirds private

sector and one thirds public sector. Education colleagues are counted as part of the private

sector cohort.

Education and public sector board members are appointed by those classes of member.

Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Norwich City

Council can nominate their own representatives with the remaining local authorities selecting a

representative each, one from Norfolk and one from Suffolk. In the education sector the

universities and colleges each nominate a board representative.

The recruitment of private sector representatives has followed an open recruitment process,

with the roles advertised and a sub-group of board members interviewing those candidates and

proposing them to the board.

Given the uncertainty to the role of LEPs caused by the prolonged LEP review, Levelling Up

White Paper and proposed county deals, it was agreed in autumn 2021 not to recruit new board

members during what was originally anticipated to be a short period of transition.

As a consequence, Tim Whitley was not replaced as a board member when he stood down at

the end of his term in August 2021.

In July 2022, with more retirements pending, and uncertainty continuing, the board agreed to

amend the LEP’s articles of association in order to permit an extension to the term of board

members beyond the six year limit.

This enabled extensions to terms for Steve Oliver and Jeanette Wheeler to be agreed.

We are now in a position where there is greater clarity regarding the future of LEPs, with a

transition path in the process of agreement with county council colleagues as part of the county

deals process.

The budget announcement of the Government’s intention to transfer functions of LEPs to local

authorities reinforces the direction of travel.

Key issues

We therefore now have greater clarity regarding the future of the LEP – continuing to deliver

our objectives for the 23/24 whilst agreeing an orderly transfer of functions, assets and

programmes to our county council partners.

This latter piece of work will be incredibly important and will require time and commitment from

board members.

At the same time a number of private sector board members are coming to the end of their

terms.

If we do not act, and simply allow board members to exit at their term, we will start to run into

quoracy issues, leaving the LEP board unable to make decisions. Five of the nine current

private sector board members are due to retire during the coming financial year. (see appendix

At the same time, it is going to be challenging to attract high quality new board members to

serve on an organisation with a short-term future. Equally, it would be helpful to retain board

members with corporate knowledge.

The proposal therefore is to allow those board members willing to remain on the board for the

duration, to do so, whilst allowing those who wish to stand down also to do so.

Of those board members – Steve Oliver, Sandy Ruddock, Dominic Keen and Johnathan

Reynolds have all indicated they would be content to continue. Jeanette Wheeler, LEP deputy

chair has indicated her intention to stand down at the end of March because of increased work

commitments.

This leaves two vacancies. It is proposed that because of the short-term nature of these

appointments, the normal external recruitment process should be suspended, instead the

appointments are made through a recommendation from the LEP chair.

The chair believes it is prudent to appoint board members who are familiar with and engaged

with the work of the LEP. The two names being recommended for approval are both familiar

with the work of the LEP as chairs or vice chairs and both have previously attended board

meetings.

They are Katy Davies, Deputy Chair, New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering

sector group (NAAME) and former MD of Camden Boss and Peter Brady, Chair, New Anglia

ICT Digital Industry Council and CEO or Orbital Global.

(See appendix 2 for a brief resumes of both candidates).

LEP chair

The term of the LEP chair is set out in the articles of association as three years. The current

chair’s term comes to an end at the end of April 2023. Technically all appointments last until the

AGM, which will be in November 2023.

However, given the need for continuity during the transition period, the CEO is recommending

an extension to the current chair’s term on the same basis as the extensions to terms of

existing board members.

Recommendation

The board is invited to agree the following recommendations from the chair.

1 To agree the extension of the terms of the following board members until the end of the LEP

transition period – expected to be April 1st 2024. Sandy Ruddock, Dominic Allen and Johnathan

Reynolds.

2 Permit the chair (if deemed necessary by the chair) to further extend the terms of board

membership for the purposes of an orderly close down and transfer of functions to a new body

or bodies.

3 To agree that the chair can bring forward recommendations to the LEP board for two new

board members.

2 To agree the appointment of two new private sector board members as outlined below.

The board is further invited to agree a further recommendation from the chief executive

1 To agree an extension to the term of the chair from the normal three-year term in order to

maintain continuity in the transition period.

Appendix 1 indicative retirement dates

Appendix 2 details of prospective board members

Appendix 1

New Anglia Board of Directors retirement dates:

Date of

appointment

Expiry of

first term

Expiry of

second term

Indicative

retirement date

Extended term

retirement date

Tim Whitley 01.9.15 31.8.16 31.8.18 31.8.21

Steve Oliver 28.1.16 27.1.17 27.1.19 27.1.22 31.3.23

Jeanette Wheeler 01.9.16 31.8.17 31.8.19 31.8.22 31.8.23

Sandy Ruddock 19.7.17 18.7.18 18.7.20 18.7.23

Dominic Keen 19.7.17 18.7.18 18.7.20 18.7.23

Johnathan Reynolds 17.1.18 16.1.19 16.1.21 16.1.24

Claire Cullens 27.2.19 26.2.20 26.2.22 26.02.25

Peter Joyner 27.2.19 26.2.20 26.2.22 26.02.25

C-J Green 21.04.20 20.04.21 20.04.23 20.04.26

Kathy Atkinson 01.10.20 30.09.21 30.09.23 30.09.26



Chairmanship:

Andy Wood May 2011 – March 2014

Mark Pendlington April 2014 – September 2017

Doug Field September 2017 – September 2020

C-J Green September 2020 – Current

On reaching the term expiry date the appointment is automatically rolled over, unless the

Board member gives notice, until the indicative retirement date is reached.

Appendix 2 – resumes of prospective LEP board members

Peter Brady

Peter Brady is CEO of Orbital Global, CEO of VirtTuri and Co-Founder of Innovation Labs

Group. Stowmarket-based Orbital Global is made up of three divisions: Orbital Media, a

leading digital marketing agency; Orbital Research, which is engaged in pioneering

healthcare research; and Orbital Innovations, which specialises in AI, Augmented Reality,

Virtual Reality and gamification technologies.

Innovation Labs is a rapidly expanding network of modern coworking locations that offer

unique innovation, technology, and business scaling support from experienced mentors.

Current locations include Stowmarket, Sudbury, the University of Suffolk (Ipswich) and

Woodbridge.

In addition, Peter is Chair of the LEP’s Council for Digital Tech, sits on the New Anglia

Innovation Board and represents the Innovation Labs on the Connected Innovation Network.

He recently attended the LEP board to provide an update on the work of the Council for

Digital Tech.

Katy Davies

Katy Davies is the former Managing Director of CamdenBoss Limited, a medium sized

manufacturing company based in Mildenhall, Suffolk and the UK’s leading provider of

electro-mechanical components, connectors and plastic enclosure solutions for the

electronics industry.

With a strong focus on people strategy, Katy is also an Enterprise Advisor for Mildenhall

College Academy and Chair of the Audit and Risk committee of the Perse School. She

attended the LEP board as part of a presentation on the LEP’s Enterprise Adviser Network.

Katy is a chartered accountant by background, and in 2021 was voted into the “Top 100 in

Manufacturing” in the category of inspirational leadership where she was selected as an

exemplar. Previously, Katy worked for Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, firstly in finance

and then moving into operations.

In addition, Katy is Deputy-Chair of the New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and

Engineering (NAAME) initiative which is hosted by the LEP, working closely with local

authorities.



New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Thursday 30th March 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

Condimentum

Members of the LEP executive visited the Condimentum mustard mill and mint processing facility

on the Food Enterprise Park near Norwich.

The Food Enterprise Park has received funding from the LEP to open up the site and install

infrastructure. As well as Condimentum, it is also home to the Food Innovation Centre, another

LEPO supported project, and the £25m Fischer Farm vertical farm, which will shortly begin

production and will be the UK’s biggest vertical farm.

Condimentum received a grant of more than £300k towards its multi-million pound facility which

includes the only mustard mill outside North America.

The company, which provides Colman’s with all its mustard and mint, is expanding its operations

on the site, with significant new contract opportunities with other food businesses.

One Farm

Representatives from West Suffolk Council and New Anglia LEP, along with other investors,

recently toured the newly constructed One Farm development, a vertical farm built in a warehouse

in Newmarket.

The farm has been funded by a £2.5m loan from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s

Growing Places Fund which was utilised to facilitate an investment platform developed by

Abundance Investment, the platform raised £4m. Further finance was provided by Credit Force,

Intelligent Growth Solutions and One Farm’s directors. The business development is a prime

example of collaboration between the private and public finance.

The vertical farm embodies technology capable of growing high volumes of sustainably produced

food and supporting the UK’s developing approach to self-sufficiency. Vertical farming will be a key

contributor to the UK Net Zero target, providing lower artificial nutrient requirements and the use of

shorter transport and supply chains, as well as contributing to the UKs food security. It will also

contribute to the world-leading science and research base that exists in the East of England in

relation to sustainable food production, land use and climate resilience.

Small Grant Scheme and Growth Through Innovation grant scheme

The Small Grant Scheme has now allocated the full £4.87m of funding, with applicants due to claim

their grant funding by the end of June 2023. Just under 500 grants have been approved in total

with the average grant being just over £9,500 in value.

Along with the allocation of the Small Grant Scheme, we are in the final stages of allocating the £2

million of Growth Through Innovation grant scheme funding.

The scheme was launched a week after the first Covid lockdown and the team have worked hard

in a challenging environment to approve and allocate the funding. However, with an end of March

deadline to approve grants, we are confident that the full £2m will be approved to support just over

125 SMEs to invest in Innovation, Research and Development.

New Anglia Growth Hub and 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.

We have reached agreement with almost all local authorities in Norfolk and have agreed to form a

consortium with colleagues in Suffolk.

2) LEP Industry Councils and Sub-groups

New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME) Group

NAAME’s flagship annual conference took place in early February and welcomed over 170

delegates from the Manufacturing and engineering community (and wider ecosystem), showcasing

BT’s research and development with a tour of their showcase industries as well as an opportunity

for the SME community to get to grips with all things ESG and where to get started as the sector

looks to decarbonise.

NAAME has also secured £190,000 through a match fund from Suffolk Inclusive Growth fund and

a pooled resource from Retained Business Rates from the LEP and Norfolk Local Authority

partners. This will sustain the networks key activities for another two years and explore business

support and skills training delivery mechanisms that meet the needs of the sector. The LEP will

continue to host the NAAME Project Manager.

As the LEP funded ‘Engineering Success’ project draws to a close, NAAME has 300 active

members and has supported over 500 strategic introductions to connect regional supply chains,

win new contracts, develop new innovations and work with local schools, colleges and universities.

In addition, over £1m of contracts have now been awarded within the network and over £6m of

NAGH grants have been delivered to 140 manufacturing and engineering businesses in the past

two years.

3) External Partnership Activity

DCMS Funded Create Growth Programme: Creative East

Following the successful £1.275m award from DCMS, ‘Creative East’ was officially launched at the

Theatre Royal, Norwich on 28th February with press activity, speeches, and a networking event to

spread the word to creative industries businesses to sign up to the investment readiness

programme which will be delivered across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Having led the initial bid, New Anglia LEP oversees the management of the programme with UEA

being the main delivery partner, working in partnership with University of Suffolk, Norwich

University of the Arts and ARU Peterborough. Suffolk County Council, Norfolk County Council and

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority complete the partnership.

Since the official launch, the delivery team have received 67 expressions of interest from creative

industries businesses. These have all been assessed and to date, there have been 15 full

applications for the first Cohort.

New Anglia LEP attended an event in Manchester with Innovate UK and DCMS and the other five

participating Create Growth regions on 22nd March to exchange knowledge and best practice.

Great Yarmouth Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Campus

Final preparations are being made for construction to officially start next month on the O&M

campus project on the Enterprise Zone site at the Port of Great Yarmouth.

Commissioned by Norfolk County Council, the £21.4m partnership project is a collaboration with

Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the New Anglia LEP and seeks to capitalise on the now well-

established offshore renewables sector off the east coast and the Enterprise Zone that covers sites

in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Following initial demolition work to prepare the site for development in 2021 a contract was

subsequently awarded to Tilbury Douglas for the main construction work.

The build is expected to take around 12 months to complete and will see 190m of river quay

refurbished and upgraded, along with the creation of new vessel pontoons and delivery of a

revised road layout and associated infrastructure to optimise the land available for future

development.

New Anglia LEP secured £6m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund for the project, which

seeks to utilise land in ownership of the borough council at the southern tip of the South Denes

peninsula by making it more accessible and attractive for further investment from companies

engaged with offshore wind farm development and maintenance over the coming 25 years.

4) Governance, Operations and Finance

Assurance Framework

The LEP’s Assurance Framework, Scheme of Delegation and Accountable Body Agreement with

Suffolk County Council are in the process of being reviewed and will be presented to the LEP

Board in May.

Budget

Core funding for 2023/24 has been confirmed at £250k; a reduction from the £375k received in

2022/23 and the £500k received in all previous years.

We have been advised that we will receive BEIS funding, the funding allocation is still to be

confirmed.

Our negotiations with our borough and district colleagues regarding a UKSPF funded business

support proposal are ongoing.



The Operating and Capital Budgets will be presented to the LEP Board for approval in May.

Finance

The next set of management accounts will be the full financial year, April 2022 – Mar 2023. These

will be published in the May board papers. There have been no extraordinary or unexpected costs

since reporting last month.

Note that we have not received our LA contribution from GYBC for the 2022/23 financial year.

As previously advised - the Audit and Risk Committee met on 21st February and Price Bailey

presented their audit plan for the forthcoming year end. The audit fee is currently being negotiated.

A meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee has been scheduled for 29th June to review the draft

accounts and Management Letter ahead of the July LEP Board.

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

February 2023.

Media coverage

- 16 pieces of coverage

- 5 reactive media enquiries

Top 3 stories

Eastern Daily Press

UK Space Agency gives £163K to New Anglia LEP space cluster

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23318821.uk-space-agency-gives-163k-new-anglia-lep-space-

cluster/

Suffolk News

First look inside OneFarm Newmarket vertical farm which will strengthen UK food security

https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/newmarket/news/first-look-inside-vertical-farm-which-will-

strengthen-uk-foo-9299005/

Eastern Daily Press

LEP fund boost as creative jobs soar 22% over Norfolk region

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23341580.lep-fund-boost-creative-jobs-soar-22-suffolk-

region/?ref=rss

Website

There were 11,836 page views on the LEP website 4,087 down on the previous month).

The most visited page was Funding followed by Growth Through Innovation Fund, Small

Grant Scheme, Employment Opportunities and Our Team.

Campaigns, events, and other projects

• Our successful bid for UK Space Agency funding for a space cluster in our region

was publicised via a press release and social media posts. This was timed to

coincide with the official announcement made on 14 February. Julian Munson was

interviewed by BBC Radio Suffolk and Greatest Hits Radio and the story was

covered online and in print by the Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times.

• The first of the LEP’s visits to projects we have supported was OneFarm’s vertical

farm in Newmarket and positive media coverage was secured via a press release.

• NAAME’s annual conference at Adastral Park was publicised via a press release

and regular social media posts in the lead-up and the event attracted 170 delegates

– a record number.

Communications activity

during February 2023

• Comms support was given to Norfolk County Council’s six-week consultation around

its County Deal with Government, with online posts, a short web piece and

newsletter articles. We will continue to promote this until the consultation ends.

• Our programme of Skills Bootcamps continues to be promoted heavily with case

studies and social media posts.

Social media and e-newsletters

Feb 2023

Jan 2023

New Anglia LEP

Number of Twitter followers

9,543

9,541

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

21.5

20.5

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

timeline)

13.4K

19.7K

Number of LinkedIn followers

5,964

5,895

Number of impressions on LinkedIn

20.7K

24.5K

Number of unique visitors on LinkedIn

118

178

E-newsletter: open rate

34.7%

37.8%

E-newsletter: click-to-open rate

10.6%

11.5%

Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited

Number of Twitter followers

942

940

Average Twitter engagements per day (likes, retweets etc)

1.8

3.0

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

1,158

1,525

Number of LinkedIn followers

2,186

2,168

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



Board Membership

Ipswich Creative Hub

CEO Pay Award



Norfolk County Deal Consultation Response

il No Board Meeting

24th May ICT Digital Industry Council Report

All Energy Industry Council Report

Operating and Capital Budgets 22/23

Quarterly Management Accounts

Local Assurance Framework

New Anglia Capital Report



Perfo

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

gy Industry Council Repo



Programme Performance Reports



Qua

ly Management Accounts

29th November ICT Digital Industry Council Report Programme Performance Reports



New Anglia Capital Report

December No Board Meeting

Meetingsarevirtualunlessotherwisestated.

Standing Items (where relevant)

IAC recommendations

Chief Executive’s Report

LEP Inte

ration

(

Inte

rated into CEO report

)

Items to be Scheduled

Create Growth

Growth Hub

Towns Deals

Sizewell C

EZs / IZs

Freeport East

Enterprise Advisor Network

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Board

Thursday 30th March 20203

Agenda Item 13

New Anglia LEP Response to Norfolk County Deal Consultation

uthor: Chris Starkie P

resenter: C-J Green

Summary

This paper introduces the LEP’s proposed response to Norfolk County Council’s consultation

into its proposed county deal with Government.

The response itself is attached as appendix 1.

Recommendation

The board is asked to consider, amend as appropriate, and agree the consultation response

Key issues

Norfolk County Council has launched a formal consultation into its proposed county deal with

Government.

As board members will be aware a “minded to” signing of the deal took place at the Nest near

Norwich last November.

The deal includes an annual investment fund of £20m, together with funding for housing and

employment sites, the adult education budget and a long term transport settlement.

There are a number of other elements including the integration of LEP functions into the council

and the election of a directly elected leader of Norfolk County Council.

The council is hoping that this deal is the first of a number of deals, as has been the case with

other parts of the country.

Suffolk County Council has agreed a very similar deal with Government, developed on a similar

timeline.

As part of the process of agreeing the deal, the county councils must consult on the proposals.

Norfolk has chosen to consult in February and March, Suffolk will be consulting in June and

July. There is no significance in the differences in timing.

Over the past few weeks the LEP team has worked hard to promote the consultation process

via sector groups and industry councils and via social media.

Whilst Norfolk’s consultation technically ended on March 21st, the council has agreed to accept

a response following our March board meeting.

The response has been developed by taking soundings from individual board members, and is

brought to the board for discussion, review, amendment and agreement.

The submission is to be discussed by the LEP board with the exception of the two county

council board members, given their direct involvement in the deals.

Recommendation

The board is asked to consider, amend as appropriate, and agree the consultation response

1

Appendix 1

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership

Response to A County Deal for Norfolk Consultation

Target funding and resources to Norfolk’s own priorities

Norfolk County Council will use and control the new Norfolk Investment Fund of

£20m per year for 30 years. As with all devolution deals, Norfolk will need to

demonstrate to the Government that money is being invested in the right way and

creating a positive impact for our region. The Government will review and check

every five years to ensure that residents and businesses in Norfolk can see what is

being achieved.

Other funding elements in the deal relate to Government’s current Spending Review

period (which runs to the financial year 2024/2025). The next Spending Review will

take place in Autumn 2024, to come into effect in 2025/26.

We continue to engage district authorities and other partners, such as business,

education, and the voluntary sector on the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity

Fund through a group of representatives that would be the Norfolk Investment

Framework steering group. Representatives include portfolio holders for each

district authority and Town Deal Board Chairs.

Other areas with devolution deals have seen significant funding in subsequent

spending rounds directly channelled to them, for example Tees Valley, who secured

a further £900m of Government investment in the 5 years since their original deal.

We have compared the 30-year £600m Norfolk Investment Fund, which is the key

element of our proposed County Deal, with the amount provided by the Government

in other deals. Our analysis shows that the Norfolk Investment Fund is worth £21.83

per head per year; this is in line with the existing devolution deals, which have an

2



average of £20.64 per head per year. You can find full details of the proposed

funding in the Finance and Investment section of the Norfolk Devolution Deal.1

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal for Norfolk to

have control of money devolved from the Government?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree

Agree X

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

We firmly believe in devolution of funding and powers to local areas. Far more

funding and powers are controlled centrally in England than other comparable

economies.

This stifles local enterprise and growth and means local partners have to adopt

short term approaches to secure central Government funding rather than focus

on longer term local priorities.

The £20m a year investment fund is welcomed. The deal secured by Norfolk is

comparable with other areas and a good start, but we would be keen to see

further funding and powers devolved in further deals, as has happened in other

parts of the country.



1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐deal#finance‐

and‐investment

3



How to give Norfolk a stronger business voice

The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a non-statutory body which

works with businesses, education, and local authority partners to drive growth and

enterprise across both Norfolk and Suffolk. The LEP secures public and private

investment to deliver initiatives to improve infrastructure, skills, and business

support.

Under our proposed a County Deal for Norfolk, and in line with Government’s

objective to have more local accountability, LEP functions will be brought into Norfolk

County Council (NCC) to create a local business voice. Benefits of bringing

functions into NCC include:

 Dedicated Business Board for Norfolk alone (currently the Business Board

serves both Suffolk and Norfolk)

 Economic programmes that are specific to Norfolk

 Co-ordination between businesses and the skills they need, as training will be

commissioned from within the same organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for Norfolk to have a stronger business voice and be

instrumental in shaping our economic growth, plus create and secure jobs for future

generations. Norfolk County Council will be supported by the Government to take on

all the important functions and roles set out in Section 10 of the guidance on LEP

integration published in March 2022. More information on the Government’s

approach can be read in the LEP Integration section of the Norfolk Devolution Deal.2

Along with the guidance published in March 2022.3

2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposed change to

create a stronger local business voice for Norfolk

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree

Agree



2https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐

deal#:~:text=does%20not%20hold.‐,LEP%20integration,‐35.%20The%20Levelling

3https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local‐enterprise‐partnerships‐integration‐guidance

4



Neither agree or disagree X

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

As the local enterprise partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk, it is not yet possible to say

if the proposals will give Norfolk a stronger business voice.

That is because at this stage the proposed structures, roles and powers of the

Norfolk Business Board have yet to be determined.

Our existing structure as a partnership between all local authorities, the private

sector and education has brought hundreds of millions of pounds of funding from

Government and other sources into Norfolk. It has provided funding and support for

thousands of Norfolk businesses, created thousands of jobs and has given business

a key role in the development of activities and programmes to support business. It

has championed the importance of enterprise and innovation within the county and

raised the profile of the county nationally and internationally.

For the deal to give Norfolk a stronger business voice it is critical that the key

strengths of the LEP are built upon, and enhanced.

As a minimum this would include:

1 Maintaining a strong, effective and independent business voice. To achieve this it is

critical that the Business Board is proactively involved in the development and

implementation of economic strategy and the decision making about programmes, funding

and projects to support growth.

Further that the sector groups and industry councils which provide a critical voice for

business are maintained and strengthened.

5



Businesses understand what are the barriers to growth and measures needed to unlock

investment, their expertise is critical in developing and managing programmes and

interventions to boost local businesses.

2 A suite of effective programmes to support businesses. It would be a huge loss to the

business community if the LEP’s programmes were ended prematurely or interrupted. It is

vital these programmes are protected, continued and enhanced as part of the county deal.

3 An agile and entrepreneurial approach to support businesses. The LEP board and

executive have been able to respond to opportunities, take measured risks and support the

local economy. This fleet of foot approach has enabled swifter, nimbler and more innovative

business support.

4 Cross county working should be preserved where possible. Norfolk and Suffolk working

together has brought significant benefits in areas such as energy and agri-food and areas

such as innovation where critical mass has helped raise profile, enabled more to be done,

secured additional funding and has driven efficiencies. Businesses do not work to local

authority boundaries.

Invest in the skills we know we need

Under a Deal for Norfolk, we will have both the money to spend on adult education

and the opportunity to decide locally what it is spent on. We will have the opportunity

to contribute to Local Skills Improvement Plans, developed by the Chamber of

Commerce, enabling us to invest in the skills we and businesses know we need for

the future.

This devolution deal gives us powers to help local people and businesses in Norfolk

get the skills and support to reach their ambitions. Funding will be set aside for skills

required when entering employment through apprenticeships, training courses or

further learning leading to qualifications.

Boosting adult skills could add significant value to our region, and our County Deal

includes fully devolving the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to Norfolk County Council

from academic year 2025/26. You can find full details of Adult Education plans inthe

6



Adult Education section of the Norfolk Devolution Deal.4

3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to move the

Adult Education Budget from Government to Norfolk County Council?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree x

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

Please write in the box below:

Ensuring individuals and businesses have the right skills is critically important for the

success of the Norfolk economy.

The skills system is too fragmented and to much controlled at a national level.

Therefore we welcome the proposal to devolve the adult education budget from

Government to the local area.

It will be important for the funding to be focused on supporting the economic needs

and opportunities of the county. The use of the funding needs to be evidence led

and for future uses to be developed in conjunction with local providers.

The devolution of the AEB must be the first step of a much more ambitous devolution

of other skills funding such as the Apprenticeship Levy in a further devolution deal.



4https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐

deal#:~:text=market%20and%20skills‐,Adult%20education,‐41.%20Norfolk%20faces

7



The deal also presents an opportunity for greater collaboration between partners in

the skills system.

Open-up housing and employment sites

One of the top priorities for Norfolk is to increase the availability of decent affordable

housing for local people and enable them to continue to live in their communities.

Our County Deal proposes almost £7m in 2024/25 for the building of new homes on

brownfield land - sites which have been previously developed.

This is a good opportunity to help residents and their children who are passionate

about living in Norfolk by building new homes and driving regeneration. This will

involve:

 Working with District Councils and other relevant partners to identify local

priorities and using newly given Homes England Compulsory purchase

powers to acquire land for development, regeneration, and infrastructure

projects in the public interest, which will help to bring about improvements to

social, economic and environmental wellbeing.

 Ability to establish Development Corporations (with the consent of the local

planning authority) which are statutory bodies created to support the

regeneration of a defined area and can draw on a wide range of powers to

acquire, develop, hold, and dispose of land and property, and develop

infrastructure.

Though the Deal is between the Government and Norfolk County Council,

implementation of the Deal can only be achieved through working with District

Councils, and other partners. You can find full details of the Housing and Land

proposal Housing and Land section of the Norfolk Devolution Deal.5



5https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐

deal#:~:text=contracted%20employment%20programmes.‐,Housing%20and%20land,‐

54.%20Norfolk%20County

8



4. To what extent do you agree or disagree with plans to open-up housing

and employment sites in Norfolk?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree X

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

Please write in the box below:

This is a very welcome, although the amount of funding being devolved are relatively

modest compared with the need and potential across Norfolk.

This proposal is welcome as a first step, and we would encourage Norfolk and

Government to rapidly build on this initial agreement.

Invest in local transport planning and consolidate

transport budgets to better direct funding to meet our local

needs and priorities

Norfolk is the fifth largest county (by area) in the country, and it is essential to create

an effective transport system that creates certainty for the future while protecting the

beauty of our region. Extra funding could start in 2024/25 as the Government will

work with Norfolk to agree an integrated multi-year transport settlement at the next

Spending Review.

Presently, we receive funding for specific transport initiatives, each with its own

terms and conditions set by the Government. In the future and under an integrated

approach all those funds will come as one whole pot giving us the flexibility to make

9



decisions in Norfolk about our own transport plans like helping to shape and improve

local rail services, deliver high quality bus services along with decarbonising local

bus services and improving the road network serving Norfolk. Further funding could

be available to help with our ambitious carbon reduction targets.

You can find full details of proposed transport plans in the Transport section of the

Norfolk Devolution Deal.6

5. To what extent do you agree or disagree with proposals for an integrated

transport settlement?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree X

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

This is very welcome. For too long Norfolk’s transport planning has been help back

by Government giving funding in different funding pots and over different timescales

to different terms and conditions.

This makes it difficult for budget planning, reduces efficiencies and makes it harder

for the council to invest in the infrastructure required to accelerate low carbon

transport.

It will be important to gain a commitment from Government that the amount of

funding being devolved is not a net reduction.



6https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐

deal#:~:text=functions%20and%20powers.‐,Transport%20plans,‐66.%20In%20line

10



Have a Council Leader who is directly elected by the

public, with the first election planned for May 2024

Our Deal requires Norfolk County Council to change the way its leader is appointed.

Put simply, instead of being appointed by other County Councillor’s, every eligible

person in Norfolk would get the opportunity to vote for a Leader. The position of a

directly elected Leader would replace the existing position of the Leader of the

Council with the first election planned for May 2024.

A directly elected leader would be supported day to day by the County Council’s

Cabinet and existing officers and systems.

Norfolk County Council also wishes to create a Norfolk Leadership Board, consisting

of representatives from local government, health, the police, business, education,

and the voluntary sector, to further support the directly elected Leader with shaping

the priorities for Norfolk and developing strategy for further devolution deals.

A County Deal for Norfolk is not about local government re-organisation, every

council remains a sovereign organisation and will not lose any powers or statutory

duties. The directly elected leader would not change this, nor would they have the

power to do so in the future.

The Deal text gives details of the proposed Governance model in the Governance

section of the Norfolk Devolution Deal.7

6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with plans for an elected leader

and cabinet system of governance?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree X

Agree

Neither agree or disagree



7https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/norfolk‐devolution‐deal/norfolk‐devolution‐

deal#:~:text=a%20devolution%20deal.‐,Governance,‐16.%20Strong%20local

11



Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

A directly elected leader is a requirement from Government to secure the new

investment fund, which is the biggest single component of the deal.

There are concerns about the model – for example:

Can one person run such a large organisation as a county council and manage the

deal.

Will the title – DEL – rather than Mayor mean they are treated in a different and more

junior way to mayors.

What is the role of the other councils in the area if the DEL is only accountable to the

county council.

Nonetheless a directly elected leader will enable Norfolk to have a figurehead who

can make the case for Government and raise the profile of the county in the way

other successful mayors are doing.

Benefitting from devolution and enabling Norfolk’s voice to be

heard by Government to help shape future policies

County Deals are part of the Government’s levelling up agenda designed “to spread

opportunity equally across the UK”, bespoke to the needs of the individual places,

bringing decisions closer to people and places. The Government is clear that

County Deals are not about local government re-organisation and the

County Council is committed to working closely with key partners such as district

councils, businesses plus other bodies, to make the most of any new powers and

funding that come into Norfolk because of a Deal.

12



Norfolk would benefit by being part of a group of areas with devolution deals and

directly elected Leaders or Mayors giving the County better direct access to

Government ministers with the ability to lobby on important matters for our area.

The proposed Deal will require a directly elected leader. The most significant

element of the deal, the Investment Fund worth £20 million per year over 30 years,

as well as other funding and powers, would not be available without a directly

elected leader. Details of the devolution framework are available on p.140 of

the Levelling Up White Paper.8

7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the principals of devolution

and the benefits it brings to Norfolk?

Please choose one answer only, from the list below:

Strongly agree X

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Don’t know

Why do you say that?

We strongly agree with the principles of devolution – for funding and powers to be

devolved from central Government to local areas.

The deal on offer to Norfolk is broadly comparable with the current round of

deals. A directly elected leader is a necessary part of the deal.

This deal should only be the starting point, not a signal to Government that

Norfolk has had its deal.

The deal should therefore be the starting point of further discussions with

Government in order to ensure Norfolk is not disadvantaged by the Government’s



8

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1052706

/Levelling_Up_WP_HRES.pdf

13



Levelling Up agenda and the county’s investment priorities and opportunities can

be fully recognised by Government.

About you

To make sure we are learning from a wide range of people – we’d like to ask some

questions about you. These are optional questions (so you may choose not to give

this information), but this information is helpful to understand who is responding to

our consultations.

8. Are you responding as...? Please tick (

)

one answer only:

An individual / member of the public 



On behalf of a voluntary or community group



On behalf of a statutory organisation 



On behalf of a business



A Norfolk County Councillor



A district or borough councillor



A town or parish councillor



A Norfolk County Council employee 



9. If you are responding on behalf of another organisation, what is the

name of the organisation, group, or business? Please write your answer in

the box below:

14



10. How did you hear about this consultation? Please tick (

)

one answer only:

Local media (e.g. newspaper, radio) 

From a social media post (e.g Facebook) 

From a friend 

From a group I belong to 

From my place of work or education 

The Norfolk Residents' Panel 

District Council web page 

Norfolk County Council web page 

My Parish Council 

From an email I received



11. Are you...? Please tick (

)

one answer only:

Male



Female



Prefer not to say



Prefer to self-describe (please specify below)



If you prefer to self-describe please specify in the box below:



15



12. How old are you? Please tick ()one answer only:

Under 18 

18-24

25-34  

35-44  

45-54

55-64

65-74  

75-84



85 or older 

Prefer not to say

13. Do you have any long-term illness, disability or health problem that limits

your daily activities or the work you can do? Please tick () one answer

only:

Yes

Prefer not to say

14. If yes which of the following best describes your condition or disability?

Please tick ()all answers that apply

Blind or partially sighted

D/deaf or hard of hearing

Limiting health condition e.g. heart disease, asthma, strokes, osteoarthritis,

Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) etc.

Learning Disabilities

Neurodiversity e.g. autistic spectrum disorders, dyslexia, dyspraxia

16



Mental health conditions – e.g. depression, schizophrenia, bipolar affective

disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder

Physical disability e.g. limb disorder, amputee, wheelchair user, cerebral

palsy, motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy

Prefer not to say

Other, please write in the box below:

15. How would you describe your ethnic background? Please tick () one

answer only:

Asian or Asian British





Asian British



Indian



Pakistani





Bangladeshi







Chinese









Any other Asian background, please describe in the box below:





17



Black, Black British, Caribbean, or African



Black British



Caribbean



African

Any other Black, Black British, or Caribbean background, please describe in

the box below: 





Mixed or multiple ethnic groups



White and Black Caribbean



White and Black African



White and Asian



Any other mixed or multiple ground, please describe in the box below:





White



English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British Irish



Gypsy or Irish Traveller



Roma



Other White background, please describe in the box below:

18



Another ethnic group





Arab



Any other ethnic group please describe in the box below:



Prefer not to say



16. Which area do you live in? Please tick (



) one answer

Breckland







Broadland



Great Yarmouth





King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

North Norfolk



Norwich



South Norfolk



17. Do you have caring responsibilities? Please tick (



) one answer



Yes – for children with additional needs

Yes – for older family members

Yes, other. Please write here:

19

18. Which of the following best describes you?

Please tick (

)

one answer

only:

Employed (full time)

Employed (part time)

Self employed

Unemployed

Student

Looking after the family home

Long term sick

Retired

19. What is your first language?

English

Other, please write in the box below: