Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/SE/16/006 TO FOLLOW

Portfolio Holder: Alaric Pugh          

Lead Officers: Steven Wood and Andrea Mayley

It be noted that the Enterprise Zone (EZ) bids by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (which includes 14 hectares of land at Suffolk Business Park) and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (which includes Haverhill Research Park) were successful.

It has been made clear to both LEPs that in the event that either of their applications were successful that full Council approval was still required.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that (23 February 2016):

(1)     the allocation of the Enterprise Zones be accepted for  implementation in April 2016 and delegated authority be given to Cabinet to negotiate and agree the details and precise terms of the Enterprise Zones (including entering into any legal agreements), subject to inclusion of a clause that requires  discussions and, if necessary, renegotiation of the terms around the possible changes that come with Business Rates Retention in 2020;

(2)     subject to (1) above, delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Growth in consultation with the s151 Officer to work with the Local Enterprise Partnerships and other bodies to promote the two Enterprise Zones;

(3)     delegated authority also be given to Cabinet to approve business cases for investment in on-site infrastructure to support the development of the EZs as and when these come forward and before any works can commence;  and 

(4)     Council approves the discretionary business rates discount for new businesses locating within the EZs as explained in paragraph 4.7 of Report No: CAB/SE/16/006.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/16/006, which sought approval for a number of recommendations associated with accepting the allocation of Enterprise Zones at Haverhill Research Park and 14 hectares of land at Suffolk Business Park, Bury St Edmunds.

Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet, including that the Enterprise Zone (EZ) bids made by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (which included 14 hectares of Land at Suffolk Business Park) and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (which included Haverhill Research Park) were successful.  The report provided details of the demonstrable benefits of this status; however, there remained a number of financial implications that needed to be worked through, particularly in respect of associated prospective business rates income and business rates retention. As the exact position regarding these matters was at present unclear from Government, delegated authority was being sought by full Council for Cabinet to manage specific details to support the development of the EZs.

Members considered that whilst they supported the allocation of these locations as EZs for the future growth and prosperity of St Edmundsbury and the wider West Suffolk,  it was difficult to agree to proposals without having the complete terms from Government. It was however, acknowledged that sufficient safeguards would be put in place to ensure the development of the EZs were effectively managed accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the Enterprise Zone (EZ) bids by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (which includes 14 hectares of land at Suffolk Business Park) and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (which includes Haverhill Research Park) were successful.

It has been made clear to both LEPs that in the event that either of their applications were successful that full Council approval was still required.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that:

(1)    the allocation of the Enterprise Zones be accepted for  implementation in April 2016 and delegated authority be given to Cabinet to negotiate and agree the details and precise terms of the Enterprise Zones (including entering into any legal agreements), subject to inclusion of a clause that requires  discussions and, if necessary, renegotiation of the terms around the possible changes that come with Business Rates Retention in 2020;

(2)    subject to (1) above, delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Growth in consultation with the s151 Officer to work with the Local Enterprise Partnerships and other bodies to promote the two Enterprise Zones;

(3)    delegated authority also be given to Cabinet to approve business cases for investment in on-site infrastructure to support the development of the EZs as and when these come forward and before any works can commence;  and 

(4)    Council approves the discretionary business rates discount for new businesses locating within the EZs as explained in paragraph 4.7 of Report No: CAB/SE/16/006.