Agenda item

(To consider a report from Mick King, Head of Economic Infrastructure, Growth and Simon Wright, Principal Officer – Regeneration Economic Infrastructure, on the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone which is being presented to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Resources, Communications and Commissioning) and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning between 15 and 23 July 2021. The views of the Committee will be reported to them as part of their consideration of this item)

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Economic Infrastructure, Growth and the Principal Officer – Regeneration Economic Infrastructure, on the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone which was being presented to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Resources, Communications and Commissioning) and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning between 15 and 23 July 2021. The views of the Committee would be reported to them as part of their consideration of the item.

The purpose of the report was to seek formal approval for the construction of a managed workspace building (the Hub) on the Council owned Plot 12 of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in order to provide a range of business space for new and small agri-tech businesses, and approval for the scheme appraisal for the construction. The construction and operation of the Hub building would provide a mixture of small workshop, office and collaboration space designed to encourage and support new and small enterprises in the Agri-tech sector. The building would be strategically important to ensure the future success of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone by providing the space and becoming a focal point for all the occupiers and visitors to the Food Enterprise Zone.

It was noted that £5.174million had been identified for the construction of a 1,422 sq. m Hub building following the success of a recent "Getting Building Fund" bid which awarded £6.368million to the Council for development. This would meet the full capital cost of constructing the Hub building and the Council would not be required to make a capital contribution to this aspect of the project. The mix of office space and workshops would be let at market rents and on "easy in, easy out" lease terms, in line with the Council's other managed workspaces.

The Committee was asked to consider the report and determine whether it supported the recommendations to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Resources, Communications and Commissioning) and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning as set out in the report and agree any additional comments to be passed on to them.

The recommendations were that : the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning approved the further development of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone through the construction and management by the Council of a managed workspace building (the Hub Building) on the Council owned Plot 12; that the Leader of the Council approve the capital business scheme appraisal for the construction of the Hub Building and approve the entering into of a contract for the main construction works.

Members considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:-

·         Members supported the recommendations as a welcome addition for businesses.

·         In relation to environmental features such as biodiversity and renewable energy, beyond the minimum statutory requirements of the development, it was reported that there was now an opportunity to look at alternative power solutions which may be more environmentally friendly. For Phase one, a traditional model for energy supply was followed due to spatial restrictions and to ensure sufficient space was reserved for business. Phase two provided a great opportunity to explore green energy opportunities emerging from gaining access to a greater land parcel.

·         Members hoped that the development would encourage greater use of the port of Boston.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations as outlined in the report and above be supported and the comments above be forwarded to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Resources, Communications and Commissioning) and the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning.