Executive Board Meeting 2.00Pm, Friday 25Th September 2015. Pera
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Executive Board Meeting 2.00pm, Friday 25th September 2015. Pera Business Park, Melton Mowbray AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Declarations of Interest 3. Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting 22nd June 2015 Items for decision 4. Devolution – Developments in the East Midlands 5. Migration; Asylum and Refugee Dispersal 6. Midland Mainline Electrification and High Speed 2 7. Infrastructure Priorities: Midlands Connect/Engine Items for information 8. Report of Management Group 9. Regional Employer’s Board 10. Regional Improvement and Transformation Board 12. Any Other Business Item 3 EAST MIDLANDS COUNCILS EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22ND JUNE 2015 AT NOTTINGHAM CONFERENCE CENTRE, NOTTINGHAM Present: Cllr Jon Collins (Chair) – Nottingham City Council Cllr Martin Hill OBE (Vice-Chair) – Lincolnshire County Council Cllr Robin Brown – Northamptonshire County Council Cllr Chris Millar – Daventry District Council Cllr Terry King – Rutland County Council Cllr Robert Parker- EMC Labour Group Cllr Nick Rushton – Leicestershire County Council Cllr Alan Rhodes – Nottinghamshire County Council Cllr Simon Robinson – Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Lewis Rose OBE – Derbyshire Dales District Council Cllr David Slater – Charnwood Borough Council Rowena Limb - BIS Glen O’Connell – Nottingham City Council Stuart Young – East Midlands Councils Andrew Pritchard – East Midlands Councils Sam Maher – East Midlands Councils Sarah Short – East Midlands Councils Lisa Hopkins – East Midlands Councils (Minutes) Apologies: Cllr Tom Beattie – Corby Borough Council Cllr Roger Begy OBE – Rutland County Council Cllr Ranjit Banwait – Derby City Cllr Neil Clarke MBE (Vice Chair) – Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Fiona Martin MBE – EMC Liberal Democrat Group Cllr Rory Palmer – Leicester City Council Cllr Anne Western – Derbyshire County Council Steve Atkinson – Chief Executive, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council 1 Item 3 ACTION 1. Apologies 1.1 Apologies were received as noted above. 2. Declarations of Interest 2.1 None. 3. Minutes of Executive Board Meeting held on 20th March 2015 3.1 The minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record and all matters arising have been completed or are covered in the agenda and supporting papers. 4. Implications of Local and general Election Results 4.1 Stuart Young, Executive Director East Midlands Councils, introduced this report and informed members this papers outlines changes in the recent local and Parliamentary elections. 4.2 There is now a change in regional political control from Labour to Conservative Group. However, Cllr Martin Hill stressed the need for continuity and was hopeful that Cllr Jon Collins would continue his infrastructure work, in particular, as lead role for HS2 and Midlands Connect. 4.3 Cllr Chris Millar highlighted the importance of early engagement with local MPs SY following on from the election. 4.4 Stuart Young clarified the constitutional procedures with members in relation to nominations to various positions of East Midlands Councils. 4.5 Resolution Members of the Executive Board: . Formally thanked Tony Egginton (previously Mayor of Mansfield District Council) who stood down at the local elections and Cllr Fiona Martin MBE (East Lindsey District Council) who will stand down as Liberal Democrat Group Leader at EMC’S AGM, for their support and contribution to the Group over a number of years. Noted the change of political balance in the East Midlands with the Conservative Party Group now the largest political group in terms of political 2 Item 3 ACTION proportionality and the impact of this upon the governance of East Midlands Councils. Noted the implications of the General Election, Cabinet and Ministerial appointments; with particular reference to lobbying, influence and engagements with the EM APPG. 5. High Speed 2 5.1 Andrew Pritchard, Director of Policy and Infrastructure East Midlands Councils, introduced this report and informed members the Secretary of State has confirmed that is looking to build the ‘Y’ leg of the network which will include the Eastern leg. 5.2 In relation to HS2 East, there are bigger issues around the Eastern leg and pressure needs to be kept up in relation to connectivity work. 5.3 The HS2 strategic board has been working on developing the Toton location proposition and it is hoped for a positive outcome in the Autumn. 5.4 Cllr Jon Collins stressed the need to develop the practicalities of the plan in relation to Toton and regeneration opportunities. There are major challenges for local connectivity, i.e. tram and bus routes around the hub. Also, there remains the important issue linking with East Midlands Airport. 5.5 Cllr Alan Rhodes welcomed the news that Derby have now withdrawn opposition to the proposed station location at Toton supporting the region to make further progress on wider HS2 matters. 5.6 Resolution Members of the Executive Board: . Considered and endorsed the actions of the HS2 Strategic Board and HS2 East Partnership. Noted the rest of the report. 6. Future Infrastructure Priorities and Midlands Connect 6.1 Andrew Pritchard, Director of Policy and Infrastructure East Midlands Councils, introduced this report and highlighted to Members the Midlands Connect proposal which is being taking forward with LEPs and West Midlands ITA. 6.2 Andrew Pritchard confirmed that LEPs have contributed £10,000 per annum for 2 3 Item 3 ACTION years to support Midlands Connect. 6.3 The three main pieces of work on this currently are: . Hub study which is looking at the main growth corridors. Business survey – real evidence underpinning. Communications – this will be crucial moving forward. 6.4 Andrew Pritchard confirmed that all five infrastructure priorities are progressing well. 6.5 Rowena Limb updated Members on the Chancellors six areas of priorities: . Growth . Jobs . Skills . Transport . Innovation . Quality of Life 6.6 There is an opportunity to develop these as a region. 6.7 Cllr Jon Collins stated the need to do some analysis in relation to what the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ is and how to take forward the Midlands perspective. He stated that this cannot be an agenda set by LEPs, this needs to be politically led. 6.8 Cllr Terry King expressed concerns in relation to Midlands Connect and missing a strong point in relation to the Cambridgeshire link. 6.9 Members held a discussion around the practicalities and highlighting issues to authorities. It was agreed that Cllr Jon Collins would lead on this. A meeting to be arranged with Leaders and relevant officers from transport authorities to move this forward. Cllr Nick Rushton agreed that this can be hosted at Leicestershire County AP Council. 6.10 Andrew Pritchard to prepare a paper in relation to transport for the North and what AP this involves. 6.11 Resolution Members of the Executive Board: 4 Item 3 ACTION . Endorsed continued engagement through the Midlands Connect initiative to develop a package of strategic infrastructure improvements across the Midlands which will unlock GVA and job growth. Welcomed the emerging ‘Midlands Engine for Growth’ concept. Noted the progress on the implementation of EMC’s 5 strategic transport priorities for 2015. 7. Review into Housing 7.1 Andrew Pritchard, Director of Policy and Infrastructure East Midlands Councils, introduced this report and informed members the first meeting of the working group has been held. Also, currently working with National Housing Federation in relation to this. 7.2 Members held a discussion around questions posed to the Executive Board in taking forward this housing review and the following comments were noted: . Shortage of skilled labour and materials. Generation gap in terms of house buying/affordability gap. Could there be some sort of legislation to get land out for development. Barriers to growth – taxing on empty land. Government does not recognise that ‘land banking’ exists. Artificial market currently. 7.3 Resolution Members of the Executive Board: . Noted progress on the review to date. Responded to key questions as set out in section 4 of the report. 8. Report of EMC Management Group 8.1 Cllr Martin Hill OBE introduced this report. He informed members of the £30,000 overspend for the financial year ended 31st March 2015. EMC has now further restructured its staffing base and resources will be directed against key delivery priorities of EMC. 8.2 The pension deficit continues to be reduced in line with agreement. 8.3 Cllr Robert Parker highlighted to members the KPIs. He expressed concerns in relation to member attendance at meeting and is hoping this will increase in all 5 Item 3 ACTION areas. South Holland District Council have given notice to terminate membership as at 31st March 2016. 8.4 The 4 pillar approach and policy development will continue. EMC will continue to provide strategic leadership through HS2 and Midlands Connect. 8.5 Resolution Members of the Executive Board: . Noted the draft financial position for the financial year ending 31st March 2015 with a deficit of £30,937. Noted that reserves stand at £884,775 as at 31st March 2015 with earmarked reserves of £75,000 for pension deficit in 2015/16. Noted the financial position as part of the budget monitoring ending 30th May 2015 and the associated outturn to 31st March 2015. Noted the agreed key performance indicators. 9. Regional Employers’ Board 9.1 Sam Maher, Director, HR and Councillor Development East Midlands Councils introduced this report and informed members that East Midlands will be the lead region for NARE next year. 9.2 Sam Maher reported that the Trade Unions have put forward their pay claim for next year and a meeting is to be arranged at the beginning of October to discuss with Leaders and Chief Executives. 9.3 Sam confirmed that Unions want to try and put living wage as part of the national agreement, however from the employers’ side, they want to maintain local discretion as a number of authorities have implemented this in a different way.