Agenda item

(To receive a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth), which summarise the current European Structural and Investment Fund Programmes that are aimed at targeting economic need and Local Growth Deals focused around growth opportunity)

A report by Susannah Lewis (Principal Commissioning Officer (Funding) was considered, which summarised the current European Structural and Investment Fund Programmes that were aimed at targeting economic need and Local Growth Deals focused around growth opportunity.  The report also identified some of those questions that Government officials were posing during the design process of the Shared Prosperity Fund (previously known as the National Productivity Investment Fund).

The Committee was advised that as part of the Brexit process, the government had committed to design a new funding programme, to be known as the Shared Prosperity Fund, which would replace EU funding. However, it would be combined with current government regeneration grants to create a single funding pot.  It would therefore be advantageous to create a clear position statement, which would help to articulate Lincolnshire's requirements.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) had a vision to deliver economic growth, which was focused around five priorities and drivers for success, and outlined in their Strategic Economic Plan.  The five priorities were included within the Committee's report. 

The report also provided a summary of the current and most significant funding pots, which had helped to support priority sectors across Greater Lincolnshire.  The funding sources included:

·       European Structural and Investment Funds;

·       European Regional Development Fund;

·       European Social Fund;

·       European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; and

·       Growth Deal Funding.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       It was requested that members of the Committee received a summary of the schemes which had benefited from the five funding sources;

·         Some of the mechanisms that could be used to achieve the level of growth that was necessary in Lincolnshire, in future, were discussed, of which the Committee emphasised the importance of a local focus on future funding arrangements;

·         The Committee also highlighted that future transitional arrangements, through the Brexit process, were key in ensuring the economy remained stable throughout this process;

·         It was highlighted that the funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development was targeted at rural businesses and for the LEADER programmes. The Committee expressed its concerns that this funding could not be used to support technical skills in the agricultural sector.  In response, the Committee was advised that officers would seek further clarification from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on this matter and report back at a future meeting.  It was suggested that if this funding could not also be used for this purpose, the Committee could invite DEFRA to a future meeting to discuss this issue further;

·         It was noted that an item on Implementing the Outcomes of the Place Marketing Work would be presenting to the Committee on 12 September 2017.  It was suggested that this item should also include information on the Place Marketing Toolkit.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the priorities arising from the Strategic Economic Plan be supported.

(2)  That the Committee's comments on the mechanisms that should be used to achieve the level of growth that is necessary in Lincolnshire be taken forward.

(3)  That the production of a position statement on future funding, in conjunction with the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and other partners, be supported.