Public

New Anglia Board Meeting Minutes (Confirmed)

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

Actions from the meeting: (22.2.23)

None

Welcome from the Chair

C-J Green (CJG) welcomed all board members to the meeting.

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.

Declarations of Interest

None

Actions/Minutes from the last Meeting

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

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:

 To note the content of the report

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

2023/24

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

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

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

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

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

Quarterly Management Accounts – Confidential

The Board agreed:

 To note the content of the management accounts

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

Board Forward Plan

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

The Board agreed:

 To note the content of the plan

Any Other Business

None.