Monthly Updates March Key Headlines

Transcription

1 Monthly Updates March 2017 Key Headlines Business Growth Tees Valley Combined Authority is currently discussing the potential to run a Composites event in Tees Valley with Composites UK the national trade body for the UK composites industry. Advisory note developed on Assisted Areas Status confirming the implications of change of Tees Valley Status from Transition to Less Developed Region. Research, Development, Innovation & Energy Completion of the Energy Storage study confirms that Tees Valley has the infrastructure to allow demonstration of innovative grid scale systems and TVCA is now working with partners to develop innovative demonstration projects. Phase 2.2 on District Heating has started; this involves greater detail in engineering design and development of commercial business models which will be refined further in the final stage. The final detailed financial models will be complete in June. The Combined Authority hosted a meeting of BEIS officials and Teesside Collective companies (BOC, Sabic, CF Fertilisers, Lotte, Sembcorp, and NEPIC) to discuss the importance of CCS in Teesside. In addition we have written to the Minister Nick Hurd to request a meeting to explain CCS in Teesside and discuss methods to take it forward. Education, Employment & Skills The Tees Valley Careers and Enterprise Adviser Network between schools and businesses continues to make good progress. The Combined Authority has submitted an application to host a DWP Hardest to Help Pilot. Transport & Infrastructure At its meeting on 22 nd March, the Tees Valley Transport Committee approved the Strategic Outline Business Case for the Tees Crossing Central option and also approved the allocation of development funding for further investigation of an Eastern Crossing. At the same meeting, the Transport Committee also agreed to an approach to further develop the various elements of the East-West Connections scheme package. On 9 th March the transformational vision for Darlington Station was launched, titled Darlington 2025: A modern rail hub for a modern economy. A report on the development of Hydrogen fuelled rail transport recommended that the Tees Valley should push for a role in developing a UK hydrogen rail project as regions elsewhere in Europe are doing. Place Proposals for an accelerated home building programme have been presented to the Homes and Communities Agency for consideration.

2 Culture The Combined Authority Board has agreed a 1.8m programme for Culture and Tourism activity. The Tees Valley Culture Thematic Group met on 17 th March Great Places (Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Historic England) The Combined Authority has been successful with this bid, with a grant of 1,332,500 awarded. National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) application (to Arts Council England) - Seven applications for NPO status have been submitted across Tees Valley, applicants will be informed of the outcome by 23 rd June Investment The first Tees Valley Combined Authority Investment Plan was agreed at the board meeting on 22 nd March. The Skills Funding Agency has confirmed that funding for April July 2017 apprenticeship starts under Tees Valley Apprenticeship Grant for Employers will be devolved to the Combined Authority in April An ERDF call is now open for 3.5m under SME Competitive for Provision of land and premises for employment sites including incubator space, managed workspace, or grow-on space. The closing date is 7 th July A launch event is taking place on 30 th March at the Materials Processing Institute in South Bank. Communication and Marketing A busy month in the run up to Purdah with more press releases than usual being issued, notable releases and announcements include: o Darlington 2025: A Modern Rail Hub For A Modern Economy o Business Leaders Appointed To LEP Board o Tees Valley Officially a Great Place Worked with the Combined Authority Transport Team and Darlington Council to organise two events to launch the Masterplan for Darlington Station. Continuing work to raise awareness of the Mayoral Elections including social media activity, features in resident publications and issuing press releases. Governance The South Tees Development Corporation consultation closed on 10 th March. The Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has strengthened its Board with the appointment of five new members. Scrutiny rules of procedure were agreed at the Combined Authority Board meeting on 22 nd March. 2

3 Updates Business Growth Composites event Fibre-reinforced polymer composites are utilised across key advanced manufacturing sectors and are predicted to play a significant role in future automotive manufacturing. The Combined Authority has commissioned a research study exploring investment opportunities arising from composites manufacturing in the UK and is developing strong relationships with key industry players to promote the area. This potential event with the Composites UK is seen as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with a key intermediary. SSI Task Force Business Support To date the business grants available through the SSI Task Force have supported 199 companies with working capital and capital finance. The 6.87m offered so far will result in over 900 jobs safeguarded and created. The focus of the team s activities will be to continue to further encourage take up of the capital and small grant schemes. A summary of the take up of each grant scheme is provided below: Applications Approved Grant Offered Working Capital Support Private Sector Leverage Jobs Created Jobs Safeguarded In Appraisal 45 3,278,716 n/a Capital Grant 68 2,695,769 11,062, Small Grant ,006 1,087, Total 199 6,873,491 12,150, February Economic Briefing HoC Consultation on International Trade Monthly job stories and topical economic issues produced. Consultation response submitted on the impact of the restructure of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and creation of Department of Investment and Trade (DIT). Education, Employment & Skills Devolution Deal - Devolved Funding Opportunities Adult Education Budget (AEB) The Combined Authority are continuing to work with SFA and DfE in preparation for transfer of the Adult Education Budget across with effect from 1 st August There have been some delays in preparations required on a national level; however we are still on target for a 1 st August transition. We continue to take part in the commissioning workshops arranged by SFA in preparation for our new responsibilities and working closely with local AEB providers to ensure that we fully understand the existing offer in Tees Valley before we consider future arrangements. DWP Hardest to Help Pilot The Combined Authority has submitted a proposal to host a DWP Hardest to Help Pilot. This opportunity was only offered to six Combined 3

4 Authorities, all with devolution deals, who were asked to put forward their design for a three year pilot. If successful, we would be aiming to bring existing services closer together to support those (aged 30 and over) who have complex needs or significant challenges in finding employment, but who are not currently engaged in an employability services programme. This would involve working closely with local DWP Jobcentre Plus, local authority colleagues and other local partners to ensure a joined up and holistic approach. Whilst DWP will make their decision on successful applications by the end of March, there will be no formal announcement until May (after Purdah). ESF Funding ESF Programmes for the area are now underway: Skills support for the unemployed delivery by People Plus and also by Middlesbrough College Support routes to enterprise delivery by People Plus Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance services - delivery by People Plus Sector-led Apprenticeship Routeways - delivery by Middlesbrough College Skills support for the workforce - delivery by Calderdale College Skills support to redundancy - delivery by New College Durham English for Speakers of other languages delivery by Middlesbrough College Wheels to Work Provider not yet announced. Regular progress meetings are now underway with all our ESF providers, including those funded by Building Better Opportunities and the Youth Employment Initiative. Tees Valley Skills Portal The Tees Valley Skills Portal is an online resource provided by the Combined Authority to help young people, teachers and employers gain access to a range of resources and support on careers, apprenticeships, learning, skills and labour market intelligence in Tees Valley. This includes: Apprenticeship Hub providing information on apprenticeships as well as hosting the live apprenticeship vacancies within the Tees Valley ; Careers Hub that provides resources, videos, sector specific newsletters and career booklets; Tees Valley Careers Toolkit which is an online directory of the most up to date programmes, initiatives and resources available to help provide impartial careers information advice and guidance; and Skills Newsletters - The next Skills Newsletter will focus on careers in the Health and Social Care Sector. The Skills Portal is free to access: Careers events and activities 2017 The Big Bang Fair Tees Valley 2017 The annual Tees Valley CEIAG Conference 2017 in partnership with Youth Direction will take place on Friday 28 th April at Preston Hall. This year s event will see a series of workshops on offer with topics including Ofsted & Careers Education, unlocking Talent & Potential and Apprenticeship reforms. For more information please contact kelly.britton@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk as soon as possible as places are limited. The Big Bang Fair Tees Valley 2017 is open for bookings: The Big Bang Fair Tees Valley is taking place at Teesside University. The Big Bang Fair is part of the Big Bang North East programme a great free programme of events designed to get young people aged 7-19 excited about science, technology, engineering and math s (STEM) in the real world. It is part of a major UKwide programme led by EngineeringUK to reveal the opportunities STEM can offer 4

5 young people. 3rd July Big Bang Fair Tees Valley Primary School Day 4th July Big Bang Fair Tees Valley Secondary School Day. To register Tees Valley Skills Event 2017 Tees Valley Careers and Enterprise Adviser Network Save the date: The Tees Valley Skills Event 2017 will take place Thursday 21 st September at Teesside University. Ongoing promotion will take place throughout the year and the event is advertised on the Combined Authority website for exhibitors to register interest: click here Our Tees Valley Careers and Enterprise Adviser Network continues to grow. We have exceeded our targets to date and as such received an incentive payment from The Careers and Enterprise Company of 25,000 to boost the scheme further. We have already recruited a total of 40 Enterprise Advisers against our overall target of 44 (by August 2017). These individuals are all volunteers from a broad range of companies and industry sectors including Automotive, Chemical Process, Digital & Creative, Logistics, Legal/ Professional Services, Hospitality and Retail. Together, they will form part of a comprehensive Network of Enterprise Advisers who can work on a one-to-one basis and also in groups/ collectively with schools/colleges across Tees Valley. We have so far recruited 45 schools / colleges exceeding our target of 44. Philip Todd and Kim Upex are Enterprise Coordinators for the Network. For contact details or information on how to get involved visit the Tees Valley Careers Portal. The Careers & Enterprise Company s Investment Fund Round 2 has now closed for organisations to submit for proposals to deliver activities covering Enterprise Education, Transitional Skill Development, Volunteering and Works Experience. The Combined Authority are assisting The Careers and Enterprise Company with the assessment of bids to be delivered in the Tees Valley. Announcements of successful organisations and their projects will be made 31 st March For more information about the fund: Monthly Unemployment Figures Apprenticeships Started by Tees Valley Residents Aug 15 Jul 16 Tees Valley Higher Education 2015/16 Employment Modelling for DWP Monthly unemployment information produced and published on Combined Authority website. Analysis carried of the apprenticeships started by Tees Valley residents in Analysis carried out of qualifications undertaken by Tees Valley higher education students and graduate destinations. Medium/long term employment projections and skill levels were produced using the EMSI modelling system and sent to DWP to feed into their LMI/Skills Mapping work in Tees Valley. 5

6 Transport & Infrastructure Tees Crossing At its meeting on 22 nd March, the Tees Valley Transport Committee approved the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) prepared for the Central Tees Crossing scheme. In particular, the proposal to take forward what is called the "most promising option" and the "next best alternative" was approved to allow for the preparation of an Outline Business Case (OBC) by November The two Central options under consideration are both in the vicinity of the existing Tees flyover and Newport Bridge crossings. In conjunction with this, approval was also given to allocate further scheme development funding to consider the wider regeneration benefits and funding/financing options of an additional Eastern crossing of the River Tees, further downstream from the Central crossing. East-West Connections At the same meeting on 22 nd March, the Transport Committee was updated on progress to date in developing the East-West Connections scheme business case and it approved the recommendation to bring forward the various elements of the package of works, recognising that the elements will be delivered in different ways (and potentially at different times). An overarching Strategic Outline Programme Case (SOPC) will now be developed to outline how and when the different elements will be delivered. In summary these are: North Darlington options to be progressed using Local Majors development funding; A66 South Darlington/Elton sections to be developed/delivered through Highways England; and A66 options east of A19 interchange to be developed/delivered locally. A draft SOPC and further work on the business case for North Darlington options will be taken to a future meeting of the Combined Authority for approval. Darlington Station On 9 th March, at an event attended by over 100 delegates, the transformational vision for Darlington Station was launched, titled Darlington 2025: A modern rail hub for a modern economy. Keynote speeches and presentations were given by senior representatives from the Combined Authority, Darlington Borough Council, Transport for the North, HS2 Limited and Network Rail, indicating the support for the proposals from a wide range of influential partners. The event, held at CPI National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, set out the vision for Darlington 2025 which includes remodelling the station and creating dedicated platforms for local connections and future high speed services as well as delivering complementary regeneration and public realm improvements surrounding the station and town centre fringe. The ambitious programme will develop a major growth hub at Darlington and enhance rail connections across the North, on the East Coast Main Line, as an integral part of the HS2 network, and across the Tees Valley. Darlington 2025 positions Darlington as a crucial part of the new HS2 network, able to accommodate new high speed trains once they join the East Coast Main Line. It sets out new plans for the reconfiguration of the rail infrastructure around the station, to unlock improvements to local rail services, leading to faster, more frequent and better quality services across the Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire, and better freight connections from Teesport. The challenge is now to secure the necessary investment for the improvements ideally through rail industry programmes. If this is achieved, by 2025, Darlington should be able to celebrate the future of a modern rail hub for a modern economy, as well as the great historical significance of the 200th anniversary and will be a catalyst to wider regeneration opportunities. 6

7 Place Accelerated Home Building programme ONS Census Consultation Culture Culture and Tourism Programme Culture Thematic Group Devolution Working collaboratively with key partners both locally and nationally, proposals for a Tees Valley Housing Agreement have been developed. In summary, the proposals seek to put in place a collaborative framework in which Government makes available over 100 million of funding for an accelerated home building programme that will enable more than 2,500 good quality affordable homes to be built by Proposed changes to the household projection methodology submitted. The programme covers four areas of activity identified as important initial steps to reach our cultural potential and a successful bid to be 2025 City of Culture: Heritage and Attraction Asset Capital Development Festivals and Events Building Cultural Capacity Destination Marketing The Culture Thematic Group met on 17 th February. Discussions were held around the ambition of the group to inspire the cultural development and creative leadership of Tees Valley, and what elements of Tees Valley culture and businesses could be brought together to build a fantastic pavilion for Great Exhibition of the North. The Combined Authority and Stockton Council met with Arts Council England (ACE) on 3 rd March to discuss ways in which ACE could respond to devolution and help create the levels of investment in Tees Valley needed to bring the region closer to the levels of investment seen in other parts of the Country. The issues around capacity, art form development, and how to create growth opportunities for cultural practitioners were discussed. Tees Valley has been invited to help shape the next 10 year ACE strategy and next round of NPO funding opportunities to facilitate further opportunity for growth and investment. Heritage and Attraction Development Events and Festivals Tourism Progress is being made with Darlington Council on scoping the potential of the Railway Heritage capital development opportunity for the town and integrating interpretation across the buildings and sites of relevance in Tees Valley and County Durham. Initial meetings have been held with Hartlepool Council and Redcar and Cleveland Council on building the visitor potential of the Maritime Heritage and Kirkleatham respectively. Discussions with both Festival of Thrift and Stockton International Riverside Festival have been held to explore consolidating these two major festivals, increasing artistic content, increasing the profile and dressing of the festivals, increasing their visibility across Tees Valley and stronger regional and national marketing. Plans are being made between The Combined Authority, Darlington Council, Stockton Council and Durham County Council to recruit an Event Director to begin planning the th Anniversary of the first passenger railway. Plans for a small destination marketing team have been put to the Combined Authority Board. The team will consist of four roles initially covering website development, digital marketing, PR and tourism and partnership marketing. The team will benefit from the Combined Authority s expertise in inward investment, economic modelling, business support etc. and work closely with communications colleagues in the Combined Authority and relevant colleagues in the five local authorities to build a profile for the great experiences Tees Valley can offer. 7

8 Heritage Lottery Fund / Arts Council England : Great Place Greater Tees The award of 1,332,500 with 10% match funding from all five Tees Valley local authorities and the Combined Authority will allow delivery of this ambitious multi partner, Tees Valley wide programme. Led by Tees Valley Combined Authority and developed by arts and cultural organisations that are closest to our communities, it will span the Tees Valley geography and demography and use culture to create a genuine, shared and positive sense of place and identity across the new Tees Valley (under the Combined Authority), and inform our local social and economic policies. Alongside strengthening and increasing the resilience of the cultural infrastructure, skills and sustainability of creative organisations, this work will connect communities, particularly those disempowered or marginalised through high quality participatory work, delivering a range of outcomes including empowerment and personal development. The Tees Valley communities will explore and celebrate the artistic life and heritage that s meaningful to them and place our communities and arts and heritage organisations at the heart of delivery in the Tees Valley. National Portfolio Organisations Arts Council England The following seven Tees Valley organisations have submitted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) applications for this round of Arts Council England funding. The first three bids will be new investment if successful: Joint museums bid supported by the Combined Authority, led by Stockton Council; Middlesbrough Town Hall; and Tees Valley Arts. Existing NPOs: Theatre Hullabaloo; Mima; SIRF; and Arc. All decisions regarding existing and potential new NPO funding will be made in June Investment Investment Plan Tees Valley Apprenticeship Grant for Employers The Investment Plan brings together for the first time 13 funding sources into one plan as a single investment fund. It sets out the principles of how we will invest and the high level priority programmes. Work will now continue to accelerate delivery of current commitments and to identify new investments we will make with expressions of interest welcome in April. New commitments will be made as a rolling programme and will required approval by the board, led by the new Tees Valley Mayor. To enable the fund to support as many Tees Valley companies as possible to employ apprentices; the offer of provision will remain the same as the national grant of 1,500 with an additional payment of 1,000 for apprenticeships which make a specific contribution to the delivery of the Strategic Economic Plan for the Tees Valley. This applies to apprenticeships being delivered under the apprenticeship frameworks of Construction, Design, Digital & IT and Engineering. From August 2016 to March 2017, TVCA has been able to support 619 companies to employ 700 apprentices and has been successful in attracting micro and small enterprises, particularly in previously under-represented sectors such as: construction, accommodation and other services. 8

9 Communication and Marketing Activity this month Press releases: Tees Valley To Join Flagship Initiative To Transform Local Services 6th Tees Valley Business Summit Announced Careers Scheme Hailed a Resounding Success Tees Valley Gets Opportunity To Vote For a New Mayor Changes To Business Support To Benefit The Region Funding Secured To Connect Rural Communities Combined Authority Sets Out Ambitious Investment Plans For Jobs, Skills and infrastructure Tees Valley Combined Authority to Lead Local Businesses at International Exhibition Enhanced Support Launched For Tees Valley Businesses Tees Valley Combined Authority is Granted New Powers to Accelerate Development Combined Authority Sets Out New Routes for Crossing The Tees Tees Valley Ahead of the Curve on Apprenticeships Media Comment- David Budd reacts to the sacking of Lord Heseltine Take control of Tees Valley Residents urged ahead of crucial mayoral vote Tees Valley Publishes Working Arrangements For The New Mayor Media Interest: There has been a lot of interest covering the above press releases and in the last month we have received enquiries from, ITV Tyne Tees, BBC Look North, BBC Sunday Politics, BBC Tees, The Northern Echo, The Gazette. Over 200 media reports throughout the month 197 with a positive or neutral sentiment with a combined potential reach of million people. Darlington 2025 Launch Together with the Transport Team and Darlington Council two events were organised to launch the Masterplan for Darlington Station. The first event was an MP briefing hosted by Jenny chapman MP in Westminster and was attended by four of the Tees Valley MP s, plus a few other representatives from other areas, the business community and the industry. The second event was a business and media launch held at CPI in Darlington. The event was attended by over 90 people from business and transport organisations as well as a cross section of local media and generated extensive positive coverage. Materials including a brochure, display stands and web page were developed to support the launch. Investment Plan The Comms Team have worked this month with the Strategic Investment Planning Team to design the Investment Plan and also issued a release on the plan. Mayoral Election Campaign Work continues to raise awareness of the Mayoral Elections including social media activity, web page, features in resident publications and issuing press releases. The campaign focusses on the purpose and powers of the mayor; we are also linking in with the campaign being run nationally by DCLG. The Returning Officer will be publishing information on the candidates once they are declared. 9

10 Governance South Tees Development Corporation Local Enterprise Partnership Leadership Board Responses have been positive on the whole with respondents agreeing that the establishment of the Mayoral Development Corporation is the most effective way to deliver regeneration and support the economic transformation of the area. The Combined Authority Board agreed to proceed with establishing the South Tees Development Corporation at their meeting on 22 nd March. The new appointments ensure the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority will benefit from strong and effective business involvement in decision-making, ensuring business growth remains central to the Tees Valley s ambitions for the economy. The new members will also become Associate Members of the Combined Authority, contributing ideas and commitment to deliver on the region s potential. The new appointees are: Alistair Hudson (Director, mima) Angela Howey (Head of Consumer, EE) Jerry Hopkinson (Chief Operating Officer, PD Ports) Mike Matthews MBE (Managing Director, NIFCO) Siobhan McArdle (Chief Executive, South Tees NHS Trust) Scrutiny rules of procedure The final rules of procedure include the call-in process, for the Tees Valley Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The Rules of Procedure for the Committee will be inserted in to the Combined Authority Constitution, which the Board approved at their last meeting. 10