Professor Steven Broomhead Chief Executive

Town Hall Sankey Street

Warrington WA1 1UH

23 September 2019

Supporting the Local Economy Policy Committee

Tuesday, 1 October 2019 at 6.30pm

Council Chamber, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH

Agenda prepared by Kirsten Riley, Democratic Services Officer – Telephone: (01925) 442992 - E-mail: Kirsten.Riley@warrington.gov.uk

Note – In line with The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 this meeting may be recorded. A guide to recording meetings has been produced by the Council and can be found at https://www.warrington.gov.uk/info/201104/council_committees_and_meetings/1003/access_to_council_meetings

A G E N D A

Part 1 Items during the consideration of which the meeting is expected to be open to members of the public (including the press) subject to any statutory right of exclusion.

Item

1. Apologies for Absence

To record any apologies received.

2. Code of Conduct - Declarations of InterestRelevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations2012

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare anydisclosable pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest which they have inany item of business on the agenda no later than when the item isreached.

To: Members of the Supporting the Local Economy Policy Committee

Councillors: Cllr T Jennings – Chair Cllr T Williams – Deputy Chair Cllrs C Froggatt, M Hannon, R Purnell, T O’Neill, K Buckley, B Barr and R Bate.

1

3. Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2019 as acorrect record.

4. Local Industrial Strategy – Final Submission

Report and Presentation from Cheshire & Warrington LocalEnterprise Partnership

5. Economic and Skills Mapping - A mapping of STEAM-focusedSMEs within close proximity to Warrington schools and sixthforms

Verbal update from the Business Growth Manager

6. Update on the Strategic Transport Initiatives

Verbal update of the Director of Environment and Transport

7. Update on the Development and Regeneration Initiatives

Report of the Director of Growth

8. Work Programme 2019/2020

To note the work programme for 2019/20.

Part 2 Items of a "confidential or other special nature" during which it is likely that the meeting will not be open to the public and press as there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972.

2

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY POLICY COMMITTEE

25 June 2019

Present: Councillor T Jennings (Chairman) Councillor T Williams (Deputy) Councillors C Froggatt, R Purnell, T O’Neill, K Buckley, B Barr and R Bate.

Also Present David Boyer – Director of Transport, Economic Regeneration Growth and Environment John Laverick - Development Manager, Economic Regeneration Growth and Environment Stephen Fitzsimons – Business Growth and Investment Manager, Economic Regeneration Growth and Environment Gareth Boldsworth (Creative HUT) Trevor Langstone (Pledge Partnership) Aimee Ruddy (Pledge Partnership)

STLE 1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence had been received by Councillor M Hannon.

STLE 2 Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

STLE 3 Minutes

Councillor Froggatt proposed that the minutes of the meeting on 9 April 2019 be confirmed. Councillor Purnell seconded.

Decision - That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

STLE 4 Introduction to the Pledge Partnership, Creative HUT and Schools Forum

Decision - A presentation from the Schools Forum would be undertaken at a subsequent meeting.

Creative HUT –G Boldsworth

A presentation about ‘Creative HUT’ took place. Creative HUT’s mission is to ignite creativity in children, teachers and parents. Creative HUT offer a variety of resources to ensure teachers feel supported in sparking a passion for Music, Art and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths).

The committee questioned how this initiative will support the curriculum.

Mr Boldsworth advised that he and teachers try to apply his projects to the curriculum. Apprenticeships are now becoming more important, with Microsoft and Google no longer requiring a Degree from potential employees. Whilst the curriculum cannot be changed, these additional skills will support children in the future.

3

Agenda Item 3

Creative HUT encourage schools to collaborate and to share resources.

The committee questioned how the perception of apprenticeships could be changed.

Mr Boldsworth believes that children should have access to positive role models in order to determine their aspirations.

The committee questioned how Further Education could be better funded moving forward.

Mr Boldsworth feels that continuous professional development in the workplace is essential. Employers should always try to further skills.

Pledge Partnership - Trevor Langstone and Aimee Ruddy

A presentation about the ‘Pledge Partnership’ took place.

Pledge Partnership aimed to support businesses to work with educators to provide young people with what they need to succeed in the future. Employers will have the opportunity work directly with young people to offer experience and employment opportunities. Pledge partnership work with schools, youth groups, and young carers in order to target a vast audience.

The committee questioned how work experience could work for smaller employers.

Mr Langstone advised that this will be a focus moving forward; Pledge Partnership will work with employers to find creative solutions.

Councillor Purnell left the meeting at 7.09pm

The committee questioned how Pledge will utilise what has been in place before (e.g. ‘Connexions’).

Mr Langstone advised that whilst there are school career advisors, they do not have the capacity to do this work with the time they are allocated as they are normally teaching staff. Pledge have the capacity to provide a link between schools and employers.

Pledge will never promote apprenticeships only, the aim is to provide young people with a breadth of knowledge to help them make a decision that is right for the individual.

The committee questioned if Pledge have a plan to increase the opportunities for young people to take part in work experience.

Mr Langstone advised that Pledge will encourage employers across Cheshire and Warrington to be creative with work experience opportunities, and they do not need to provide the usual 5 day work experience. They will find solutions to make it more achievable.

Councillor Jennings wished to thank both Creative HUT and Pledge Partnership for their presentations.

4

Agenda Item 3

Councillor Jennings proposed that the committee fully endorse the work that the two organisations are undertaking for the young people in Warrington. Councillor Buckley seconded.

Decision – The committee endorsed the work of Creative HUT and Pledge Partnership.

STLE 5 Warrington Means Business, Towns Infrastructure Plans and Strategic Transport

J Laverick and D Boyer reported on the following. Concerns were raised and responded to;-

Time Square Development Programme

• All buildings are progressing well.• Leisure building’s date for completion is 8 July 2019 with a view to open the Cinema

on 13 December 2019.• Council offices are planned to be ready for occupants mid-February 2020.• Multi-story car park defects are due to be corrected.• Engagement continues with potential occupiers for 7 leisure units. The Botanist has

generated interest.• There is interest in the temporary market unit.• Concerns around lack of footfall near cinema between December 2019 and February

2020. This has been discussed with the cinema and they are happy to launch inDecember 2019.

• The temporary market will close, with the new market opening 2 weeks later. It mustoperate correctly before it is launched.

• There is strong competition for units within the market and a waiting list is in place• An exercise is being undertaken with “Cunning Plan Marketing” to attract 100,000

new people into Warrington.• There are three entrances into the new market, with fresh produce as you enter on

one side, and a food court as you enter the other.

Town Centre Masterplans

• The first residential scheme is likely to be ready in 12-14 months.• Private sector investments for both John Street and Academy Way have been

secured.• Green spaces have been included into the Academy Way plans.• The Master Plan will be altered to include green connections within the town centre.

Decision - Mr Laverick to present information regarding the population of the town centre over the last 5 years.

Councillor Jennings proposed that there be a working party to collect existing facts and information to formulate a parks and open spaces strategy, and to make recommendations that can be presented to the Cabinet. Mr Laverick advised that Mr Bell (Planning Policy & Programme Manager) may already have this information. Councillor Jennings advised that the working party can scrutinise any information presented.

5

Agenda Item 3

Decision - Working Party meeting for Green Spaces Strategy to be arranged.

Stadium Quarter

• Alternative accommodation for the travelling show people has been found and aplanning application has been made.

• The planning application for the Youth Zone has been submitted and approved.• Construction is progressing for the residential and car parking site adjacent to

Winwick Street.

Cabinet Works

• Warrington & Co is looking at further development opportunities

Decision - Mr Laverick will present visual representation of project proposals to future Part 2 meeting.

Omega

It was noted that the interest in Omega for housing is balancing pressures elsewhere.

Decision - Mr Laverick to bring information regarding potential interested parties of the Omega site to a future meeting.

Warrington West

• Warrington West Train Station is progressing well. There are a number ofrequirements from Northern Rail to work through before completion.

The committee shared residents’ concerns about the pedestrian access to the train station. Mr Boyer advised he would provide evidence that this is not the case.

Warrington Waterfront - Centre Park Link

• Highways construction are on site with an expected completion date of late 2020.

Warrington Waterfront - Western Link

• Outline Business Case for the Department for Transport funding has been approvedto move to the next stage. This was a competitive and robust process.

Local Transport Plan 4

• The plan is currently out to consultation and will be presented to the Cabinet andFull Council before Christmas 2019.

HS2

• The position of the council regarding the High Speed railways link at Golborneremains unchanged.

STLE 6 Work Programme 2019/2020

Decision - that the report be noted.

6

Agenda Item 3

WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY POLICY COMMITTEE Tuesday 1st October 2019

Report Author: Stephen Fitzsimons

Contact Details: Email Address: Stephen.fitzsimons@warringtonandco.com

Telephone: 01925 443036

Ward Members: All

TITLE OF THE REPORT: Local Industrial Strategy Update

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Cheshire & Warrington Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) which was launched in 2017 and submitted to central government in September 2019.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 An Industrial Strategy was a key ambition for former Business Secretary Vince Cable between 2010 and 20015. UK trade bodies had been calling for a long term approach for business and investment, similar to the cross party plans agreed in countries such as Germany and Japan. The common frustration was that “long term” in those economies is typically 20 years or more, however in the UK this is often the length of a single parliament.

2.2 The latest interpretation of an Industrial Strategy was established with the release of a Green Paper in January 2017. The main objective was to provide a framework that future private and public sector investment decisions could be based upon. Outputs would need to target the four “Grand Challenges” of:

1. Energy & Clean Growth2. Ageing Well3. Artificial Intelligence & Data4. Future of Mobility

They would also need to address the “Five Foundations of Productivity”:

1. Ideas2. People3. Business Environment4. Infrastructure & Place

7

Agenda Item 4

The overall aim, however, was to improve the economy’s productivity gap, with the UK producing 16% less than the G7 average (ONS 2016).

2.3 Three “Pathfinder” Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas were initially tasked with developing their own Local Industrial Strategies, with Cheshire & Warrington part of the “second wave” in July 2018.

2.4 The LEP commissioned Metro Dynamics in 2018/19 to refresh its Strategic Economic Plan, focusing on four specific areas:

1. Productivity2. Business case3. Residents and labour market4. Spatial analysis

This work helped the LEP to begin considering how they would explore a Local Industrial Strategy.

2.5 In March 2019 the LEP provided funding for the three Cheshire & Warrington Local Authorities to commission their own Local Area Industrial Strategies (LAIS) which would highlight trends, opportunities and challenges more relevant to their economies. Warrington instructed locally based economic development consultancy, Mickledore, because of their historic and extensive engagement with companies across the Borough. Mickledore have been active throughout the summer, meeting organisations in a variety of sectors, analysing the raw economic data and identifying priorities.

3.0 CURRENT PROGRESS

3.1 Mickledore completed an early draft the LAIS in mid-September and this was submitted to the LEP, enabling them to incorporate into the Cheshire & Warrington LIS and deliver to central government by the end of that month. Key themes highlighted by the analysis included:

• Skills – Warrington is home to world class sectors including nuclear and advancedengineering. Future skills provision needs to deliver sufficient quantities of work-ready apprentices, graduates and other experienced staff.

• Transport – Warrington is one of the best connected locations in the North ofEngland through the intersection of 3 motorways, the West Coast Mainline,Manchester Ship Canal and two international airports. There is an opportunity toimprove local transport provision and better connect places like Birchwood Park.

• Place – Omega and Birchwood Park continue to attract inward investment, partlybecause of the quality and modernity of the buildings and infrastructure. A focusshould be made on other locations such as Woolston Grange to enable theirenvironments to be updated and enhanced.

8

Agenda Item 4

9

3.2 When combined with the contributions of Cheshire East and West, the completed LIS captures some positive attributes including the highest Gross Value Added (per capita) economy in the North; 2.6% growth (versus 2.1% nationally) and a £30bn economy (aiming for £50bn by 2040).

3.3 The LIS also highlighted three clear desirable outcomes:

1. A more productive economy – building on the region’s “super strengths”.2. A more resilient economy – with a dynamic business case.3. A more inclusive economy – improving personal progression.

These will be delivered through strategic investments in infrastructure and place, demonstrating national leadership through a “Clean Growth” approach.

4.0 FUTURE PROGRESS

4.1 Brexit has understandably diverted the attention of government, however the original deadline is still in place. The LIS will be published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on the 21st October.

4.2 Future funding requests to central government will only be successful if they are directly captured in the LIS. The strategy will therefore be essential in helping the LEP and partners decide how to intervene in the regional economy.

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Members are recommended to note the contents of this report and to endorse the approach for LIS delivery from the Council and the LEP.

Agenda Item 4

10

Regeneration Projects Update – September 2019

Time Square Development Programme

• All buildings progressing well• Cinema and Botanist fitting out continuing• Works are on programme.• Multi-storey car park in defects correction period and rectification process is progressing• Continue to engage occupiers for leisure units following announcement of The Botanist

Stadium Quarter

• Construction has commenced on relocation accommodation for the travelling show people• Legal Agreement has been signed• Residential and car parking site adjacent to Winwick Street is now on site and construction is

progressing.• Planning Application has been made for residential development on Winwick Rd surface car

park site.

Cabinet Works

• Warrington & Co currently looking at additional land assembly further development optionsfor the site

Warrington Waterfront – Centre Park

• Enabling Works have completed on site• Highways construction now proceeding• Formal proposals for the housing development have been received

Warrington Waterfront – Western Link

• Outline Business Case for DfT funding now approved to move to next approval stage.

Masterplans

• Town Centre masterplan is complete and due for Cabinet approval in November

Warrington Means Business

• Revised Warrington Means Business document in progress

Bewsey & Dallam Hub

• Work progressing in accordance with programme

Garden Suburb

• Detailed discussions have commenced in earnest with HE in relation to project viability anddeliverability

• HE have appointed consultant team and are progressing scheme development to supportdeliverability and viability of Garden Suburb

11

Agenda Item 7

12

Supporting the Local Economy Policy CommitteeDraft Work Programme 2019-2020

Introduction - The purpose of this document is to assist in the development of the policy committee work programme 2019/2020. The document contains the following information:

• Purpose and remit of the policy committee and topics it has looked at in 2018/19.• Guidance from the LGA on selecting work programme topics• National policy themes relevant to this committee• Ideas for inclusion in the 2019/2020 work programme.

What does the Committee do?

• The Committee assists the Council and Executive in developing, monitoring andreviewing the Council’s plans, policies and strategies

• Scrutinises decisions taken by Executive Board, Committees, Sub-Committeesand Officers where appropriate.

• Makes recommendations to Executive Board relevant to its area of activity.

What topics can the Committee look at? • Development and implementation of leisure and cultural activities• Improvement of economic opportunities for residents• Employment skills and apprenticeships• Partnership working to develop training and career changing opportunities• Economic partnerships and growth• Regeneration• Council contracts – encouraging local businesses to compete and impact on jobs• Infrastructure improvement and development

What topics has the Committee looked at in the last year? During 2018-19 the committee looked at the following topics;

• Warrington Means Business- towns infrastructure plans and strategic transport• Repopulating the town centre• Cultural Commission• Skills Activities

13

Agenda Item 8

Guidance for selecting work programme topics The following criteria is a guide for prioritising and selecting topics for policy committee work programmes:-

Topics are suitable for inclusion when:

• the policy committee could have an impact and add value

• the topic is of high local importance and reflects the concerns of local people

• it avoids work duplication elsewhere

• the issue is one that the committee can realistically influence

• the issue is related to an area where the council is not performing well

• the issue is relevant to all or large parts of the local area

Topics are not suitable for inclusion when:

• the issue is already being addressed elsewhere and change is imminent

• the topic would be better addressed elsewhere (and will be referred there)

• policy committee involvement would have limited or no impact upon outcomes

• the topic is too broad to undertake any meaningful policy development

• new legislation or guidance relating to the topic is expected within the next year

• the topic area is currently subject to inspection or has recently undergonesubstantial change.

Defining work programme topics

For every item on the work programme, it should be clear:

• What is the issue/activity/policy development topic under consideration?

• What is the policy committee being asked to do?

• What are the reasons for/expected benefits of involving the policy committee in thematter?

• Is there a specific deadline for the piece of work?

Note: - Adapted from the Local Government Association Scrutiny for Councillors, Councillor Workbook

14

Agenda Item 8

National Policy Themes relevant to this Committee

This section contains details of key national policy themes relevant to the committee which could have an impact on the Council’s customers and the town:-

Infrastructure & Regeneration Planning for Affordable Housing - The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), has published a research report which reviews changes to policies relating to the delivery of affordable housing. In particular, the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Social Housing Green Paper. . There is a recurring view that local authorities must be able to set locally specific policies, i.e. rent levels, type and tenure and affordability must be linked to local incomes.

Government Affordable Housing Plan – In his spring statement on 13.3.19 the Chancellor announced a £3bn scheme to fund the construction of 30,000 affordable homes. This also included a number of separate housebuilding schemes, including £717m to “unlock up to 37,000 homes” in the Oxford-Cambridge arc, Cheshire and west London.

Strategic Transport Plan for the North – On 31.1.19 the Government announced plans for a £70 billion strategic transport plan for the North. This includes a new high speed rail route from Manchester to Liverpool via Warrington.

Economic Short term economic growth downgraded - KPMG has downgraded its short term expectations for the UK economy due to the lack of clarity around Brexit and global headwinds. The firm believes that the UK economy will grow by 1.2% in 2019, assuming that a Brexit deal is reached. The previous forecast, published in December 2018, had predicted growth of 1.6% in 2019. “The lack of clarity around Brexit, the disappointing data in the Eurozone, the waning stimulus in the US and a slowdown in China are making for a challenging environment,” said the chief economist at KPMG UK.

High Streets and Town Centres in 2030 – The Commons Select Committee published a wide ranging report on 21.2.19 which contains reforms to online taxation, business rates and planning to help revitalise high streets and town centres. The report also recommends that the Government urgently consider an online sales tax to help secure the future of the high street. Underpinning the report’s recommendations is the need for locally-led regeneration strategies.

Business Rates Cuts - Thousands of independent high-street premises are to benefit from business rate cuts from 1.4.19, under a two-year Government scheme that will cut bills by a third for premises with a rateable value below £51,000. English local authorities have set aside £502m this financial year to cover the cost of the cuts, which property adviser Altus said would help the average shop save £3,292, and the average pub £6,052.

15

Agenda Item 8

Online retailers are likely to face higher business rates bills from 2021 as a result of big increases in rents for the distribution centres that are key to their operations. This comes as the Government assesses the highest rents paid by warehouses ahead of the next revaluation.

Brexit – support for Local Authorities - The Government needs to stop leaving councils "in the dark" over Brexit and urgently provide more support, MPs say in a new report. The Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee said ministers should prioritise making sure that EU funding will be fully replaced after Brexit and that plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund need to be fast-tracked to fill the gap. It also called for improved information sharing with local authorities and urged ministers to set out how funding and powers can be devolved to councils after Brexit.

Social Mobility and Adult Skills Gap – A report by the Social Mobility Commission published on 29.1.19 shows that adult training is often only available for workers who are already highly paid or highly skilled. The Adult Skills Gap report shows that the poorest adults with the lowest qualifications are the least likely to access adult training despite being the group who would benefit most. Men in routine and manual occupations are the least likely to learn new skills.

16

Agenda Item 8

Local Economy Policy Committee Draft Work Programme 2019-2020

This section contains the draft work programme 2019-2020 for approval by the Policy Committee. It contains items that have been brought forward from the 2018/2019 work programme and new topics for inclusion in the 2019/2020 work programme. The purpose of the topic and the role of the committee have been included in the work programme.

Work Programme Topic

Purpose of the item What is the Committee being asked to do?

Link to National Policy & Local Context

Lead Officer

Date of Meeting

Theme – Regeneration Strategic Transport Initiatives

To review strategic transport initiatives either in progress or planned

Forward recommendations to Executive Board

Transport for the North have published a strategic transport plan which contains plans to transform road, rail, air and sea connections to drive long term economic growth.

D Boyer, Director, of Environment and Transport

Every meeting

Development and Regeneration Initiatives

To receive updates on development and regeneration initiatives

Forward comments to Executive Board

There are a range of major regeneration projects in development in the town

S Park, Director of Growth

Every meeting

Working Group Step Up Homes for First Time Buyers/

Repopulating the town centre

To explore what housing types, tenures and schemes are needed to support the local economy, repopulate the town and help the next generation into home ownership. This will include a review of the demand/needs analysis. This work will have a specific focus on the town Centre.

This working group will consider potential opportunities of encouraging home ownership within the town centre. Findings and recommendations will be considered by the committee and Executive Board

Nationally there is a shortage of affordable homes, particularly for first time buyers.

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

11 February 2020

.

17

Agenda Item 8

Digital Hub To receive a 6 month update on the progress of Opus Diem that was launched at the Pyramid in 2018

Forward recommendations to Warrington & Co

The Digital & Creative Industries is a key enabling sector as captured in Warrington Means Business and the regular plans of central government

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

11 February 2020

Local Industrial Strategy

To receive updates on the progress of the council and the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Forward recommendations to Warrington & Co

The LEP is preparing a Local Industrial Strategy to feed into government’s National Industrial Strategy. Warrington & Co is delivering the local input in the form of a Local Area Strategy.

S Park, Director of Growth

1 October 2019

Economic & Skills Infographic

To receive a one page visual summary of local schools, companies, sectors and skills

To acknowledge completion of the action from January 2019

This topic will explore the subjects that schools need to promote and teach in order to meet employers needs and address current and future skills gaps

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

1 October 2019

18

Agenda Item 8

Theme – Economic Future Talent

(formerly Higher Education in Warrington)

To explore the changing higher education landscape and establish what the key factors are regarding the need for a higher education facility in the town centre

A representative of the Pledge will provide a progress update and will be joined by WASCL who represent local Head Teachers

Nationally skills shortages continue to affect productivity. Educational opportunities are a key factor in enhancing social mobility

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

25 June 2019

Update 11 Feb 2020

Brand Warrington

(formerly Business Improvement District (BID)

To receive updates on the activities of the Business Improvement District, town centre marketing and events

Forward findings and recommendations to Executive Board

To encourage people to shop and support local services through strong branding and communication

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

8 April 2020

Funding Replacement

To look at how EU funding will be replaced when the UK leaves the EU

Forward findings and recommendations to Executive Board

As at April 2019 there is uncertainty and a lack of clarity on how current EU funding will be replaced when the UK leaves the EU.

S Fitzsimons, Business Growth Manager

8 April 2020

19

Agenda Item 8