Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence; and to receive notification of substitutions.

No apologies were received.

No apologies were received for the meeting.

To receive any declarations of personal or disclosable pecuniary interests from members in relation to items on the agenda.

There were no declaration of interests made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2024 and to note the action log.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2024 were approved as an accurate record. The Action Log was noted.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2024 were approved as an accurate record. The Action Log was noted.

Report seeking approval of the Business Board Member role profile, setting out the core focus for members in representing the Business Board as a regional voice of business for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

It was resolved to:

A    Approve the Business Board member role profile.

The Business Board received the report which sought approval of the member role profile which set out the core focus for members in representing the Business Board as the regional voice of business for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

During discussion, members noted that the time commitments referenced did not accurately reflect the amount of time board members gave. The meetings, associated briefings and time taken to read papers exceed what is stated.

Commenting how much Business Board members go above and beyond, the Mayor noted that attendance at Combined Authority meetings is recorded from May 2024 onwards.

Officers were asked to check what terminology is used for business board lead members and define what those roles involve.

It was resolved to:

A    Approve the Business Board member role profile.

To update Business Board members of the latest highlights from the Combined Authority Board, Committees and Business Board Forward Plan. The Forward Plan can be found here.

The Chair asked members of the Business Board to flag any topics with officers that they feel it would be beneficial for the board to discuss or hold a specialised session around.

A verbal update from the Chair.

The Chair began his update by emphasising how active members are. He highlighted connections being made and utilized across the region, giving examples of meetings attended including, but not limited to:

•      meeting with the team for Form the Future

•      visited to Zed pods, (modular homes)

•      talking about broader skills offer with Cambridge Regional College

•      met with Stuart Gibbons, Department for International Trade Export Champion, looking at closer collaboration.

•      Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership board meeting

Verbal updates from the Business Board representatives on the Combined Authority's thematic committees.

Charlotte Horobin provided an update on the Skills and Employment Committee activities:

•      The induction prior to the meeting was welcomed by all members

•      Wider Outcomes paper, looking at the measure of impact of training. The Combined Authority is seen as very progressive in this region of work which should be celebrated.

•      Concerning trends seen through DWP data were discussed: with unemployment due to inactive areas of workforce seen in Cambridge for the first time

Tim Jones provided an update on the Environment and Sustainable Communities Committee activities:

•      Waterbeach energy, specifically its use for refuse vehicles, was discussed.

•      The committee addressed the region’s carbon contribution to climate change.

•      Flood risk was emphasised, noting that pumps operated at maximum capacity during the past winter.

•      The draft LNRS was discussed, integrating biodiversity and improvement proposals with planning policy.

•      The budget report will delve into rural communities’ energy fund details in the next meeting.

Rebecca Stephens provided an update on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee activities:

•      The meeting was highly political due to the upcoming election, a lot of reports had been deferred until July

•      Two main topics discussed were Electric Vehicle and the March Area Transport Study

•      Alignment with priorities discussed at UKREiiF was emphasized.

The Chair asked about the status of digital connectivity strategy discussions and suggested inviting relevant parties to a future informal Business Board meeting as it is vital to get a business and economic view clearly through it.

Verbal update from the Executive Director, Economy and Growth.

The Executive Director for Economy and Growth spoke to the Board about the impact of the General Election as well as providing an update on staffing changes.

Verbal update from the Service Director for Growth and Regeneration at Peterborough City Council on key priorities for the constituent authority which could be of interest to the Business Board.

The Economic Development Officer provided an update on Peterborough’s key priorities within the Economic Growth Strategy, highlighting the following key sectors and initiatives:

•      Advanced Manufacturing and Materials: support for this sector remains a priority.

•      Life Sciences: although Peterborough cannot replicate the life sciences sector prominent in Cambridge, there are opportunities for collaboration, particularly in related technologies.

•      Agriculture: recognised as an important sector, with a focus on agritech despite challenges from environmental and legislative factors.

•      Digital: emphasis on supporting digital native companies and increasing digital integration across all sectors.

The following points were raised and discussed:

•      Members inquired about the specific sectors of focus and it was emphasised that there was alignment with Combined Authority strategies. There is ongoing support for advanced manufacturing and potential collaborations in life sciences and agritech. The importance of digital integration across sectors was highlighted.

•      The authority are currently working with an outfitter to subdivide space for start-ups. There is available shared prosperity funding for digital incubators and plans to attract greater levels of investment to the city. The development of the station quarter with links to London and tech centres will help with plans to collaborate with third parties to deliver services. The focus is on an accelerator program that supports both digital and non-digital companies in adopting digital technologies. It was suggested that Business Board members with relevant experience could advise on this work.

•      There is a detailed high-level action plan to ensure alignment towards the most positive scenario, timings for sharing the plan for Business Board input would be shared.

•      The potential if all resources are aligned was emphasised, and it is important to have a clear, united message and regional collaboration.

Report providing information on the Business Division’s budget for 2024/25.

It was resolved to:

A    Note the budget of the Business Division for the financial year 2024/25.

The Business Board received the budget and performance report which provided an overview of the revenue and capital funding lines within the Business Division’s budget for 2024/25.

It was resolved to:

A    Note the budget of the Business Division for the financial year 2024/25.

Presentation and discussion on the follow up to the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum to help inform a report to the Combined Authority Board on 24 July 2024.

The Interim Assistant Director, delivery, gave a presentation for feedback prior to its submission to the Local Strategic Meeting and a subsequent report to the Combined Authority Board. The focus was on gathering feedback, discussing experiences, and shaping future strategies.

The Chair emphasised the importance of highlighting the additional value the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority brings. He suggested considering how to measure impact, acknowledging that it is a slow process but with medium-term ambitions. He also stressed the importance of tracking the development of connections within the region and being self-reflective about past actions to build on them.

Officers explained that impact would be measured by the number of people engaged and the development of relationships. The ultimate goal is to improve the perception and impact of the Combined Authority in the investor and developer arena, focusing on tangible results. They have comprehensive details of all attendees from UKREiiF as all attendee information was shared.

The efforts and success of the event was praised and the need for continuous evaluation and reflection on the impact was underscored.

Report providing the Business Board with the regular update on the strategic funding programmes related to the work of the Economic and Growth team, this report covers progress to 21 June 2024.

It was resolved to:

A    Note the updates contained within the report.

The Business Board received the report which gave the regular update on the strategic funding programmes related to the work of the Economic and Growth team, covering progress to 21 June 2024.

The entire digest with all the metrics will be shared with members to show the breadth of monitoring carried out.

Members advised officers to check for an update from COWA as there was a recent announcement of a funding proposal from Anglian Water.

It was resolved to:

A    Note the updates contained within the report.

To determine whether the public and press be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100(A)(3) and Paragraph 3 (private financial or business information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

On being proposed by Al Kingsley, seconded by Nitin Patel, it was resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the next report contained exempt information under Part 1 of Schedule 12A the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, and that it would not be in the public interest for this information to be disclosed. The public interest in maintaining the exemption must be deemed to outweigh the public interest in its publication.

To present and discuss the Business Case and draft Audit Letter ahead of the Combined Authority Board discussion on 24 July 2024.

The Executive Director provided a presentation on the Outline Business Case and draft Audit Letter concerning Bus Reform. Members discussed the proposed recommendations for the Combined Authority Board meeting on 24 July 2024.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 30 September at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held virtually.

The next meeting of the Business Board will take place on Monday 30 September 2024 at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held virtually.

The next meeting is scheduled for 30 September 2024 at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held virtually.