Agenda item

In attendance for this discussion:

Julie Snell, Interim Chairman, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP)

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive Officer, WLEP

Luke Willetts, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, WLEP

Steph Simcox, S151 Officer

Simon Geraghty, Vice-Chairman, WLEP

The Deputy Chief Executive introduced the annual update report on the achievements of the WLEP over the last 12 months and outlined the strategic objectives for 2022/23. In addition, an update on the WLEP Energy Strategy had been provided.

During the opportunity for discussion, the following main points were made:

Energy Strategy:

·       In response to a question about how the refresh of the Energy Strategy would impact on District Councils, the Board was advised that there were no plans to revise the 2030 Strategy but to wait for the outcome of Governments National Review.

·       A Member referred to the Burcot Lane housing scheme, which had delivered 61 energy efficient housing units in Bromsgrove and questioned whether there were more plans for North Worcestershire. It was confirmed that there were decarbonisation plans and opportunities to be explored via the Salix Scheme.

·       Paragraph 39 of the Agenda Report was referred to and a Member queried whether there would be any support for landowners to change land use eg to solar or wind farms. In response the Board was advised that a number of options were being investigated and that the WLEP was technology-agnostic and was not wedded to promoting one energy source or solution above others. Locally, significant progress had been made eg Worcester Bosch had produced renewable boilers and Redditch was using a hydrogen waste vehicle.

·       A Member referred to Offenham Geo-thermal Survey and questioned whether there had been any commercial interest. It was confirmed that the Survey had been used to apply for Government feasibility funding. Worcester City and Kidderminster had the most potential, Offenham less so as the extraction costs and risks were very high. At the current time Offenham didn’t have a live project associated with it.

·       Paragraph 35 and 36 of the Agenda Report was referred to which referred FAUN Zoeller, a German-owned Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV) manufacturer based in Redditch which had been explored to understand the potential for a Hydrogen Economy in Worcestershire. The Hydrogen Consortium had a proposal to develop hydrogen fuel-cell and EV Refuse Collection vehicles to decarbonise the County’s Waste Services. Unfortunately, the proposal had not been adopted to date, primarily due to lack of investment.  However, the WLEP were having further discussions with conversations with FAUN Zoeller at the end of October.

Other Discussion Points:

·       A Member questioned the progress made with dualling the North Cotswold Line. The Vice-Chairman of the WLEP (and Leader of the Council) confirmed that the County Council were hosting a 5 counties partnership (including Oxfordshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire) and that this was a key project that was still moving forward but there would come a point at which it would be for the rail industry and Government to deliver on.

·       Reference was made to a recent announcement that there would be funding of £43m for the Oxford railway line, it was questioned whether this funding would be used to complete the dual lining.  The Vice-Chairman of the WLEP explained that the funding was not for complete dualling but for sections of the line.

·       A Member highlighted that the footfall at Worcester Parkway had exceeded expectations and asked whether the WLEP could provide support to persuade the train companies whose trains passed through Worcester Parkway to provide a service.  It was confirmed that discussions with various train companies were taking place however, it would take time to progress.

·       In terms of the initiatives using the co-operative model, it was confirmed that the WLEP had been involved in the food and drink network which had unfortunately come to an end.  3 community energy groups had also been supported and other opportunities were now being sought.

·       It was confirmed that Worcestershire had not been identified on the initial list from Government as an Investment Zone.  Further details were expected from Government in the next few days following which Worcestershire would make a pitch to become an Investment Zone. Discussions would take place between all Worcestershire local authorities  and some commercially viable sites would be put forward.

·       A Member suggested that the Shrub Hill site could be considered as a possible Investment Zone.

·       The Vice-Chairman of the WLEP suggested that Worcestershire was in a position of strength and had a number of gamechanger sites already identified and Shrub Hill was the main site for which investment was being sought.  Consideration needed to be given as to whether Shrub Hill would be put forward as an Investment Zone.  A joint letter from the County and District Council’s to central Government was being drafted expressing Worcestershire’s interest in becoming an Investment Zone.

·       A Member highlighted that the Joy Mining Site, Bromyard Road, Worcester which was a large industrial area due to be marketed and may be a possibility for the Growth Hub.

·       The Worcester Youth Hub was discussed and it was confirmed that further options for other Youth Hubs were being considered including Redditch.

·       It was confirmed that career resources were now available in all schools for ages 11+.  Worcestershire was now in the top 3 authorities for its approach to careers advice (having previously been in the bottom 3).

·       In terms of the future of the WLEP, the Chief Executive of the WLEP believed that the WLEP would survive on the basis of its good partnership working. Despite funding routes changing it could still be a neutral convenor and business voice.  The WLEP had a track record of having a clear strategy and the ability to deliver.

·       The Interim Chairman added that the WLEP could add experience, expertise and independence but the importantly was the delivery vehicle of the partnership.  It was suggested that the WLEP should get together with other LEP’s to write to the Minister to prove their economic value.

The Chairman thanked colleagues from the WLEP for attending the meeting.