Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Palmer (FHDC) and Jim Thorndyke (SEBC).

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2016 (copy attached).

The minutes from the meeting held on 28 June 2016 were received and confirmed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment (as set out in bold/italics below):

          “26.   Election of Vice Chairman for 2016/2017

                             RESOLVED:

That Councillor Alaric Pugh (SEBC) be elected as Vice Chairman for 2016/2017.”

A copy of the West Suffolk Community Energy Plan is attached.

(The Chairman agreed for this item to be brought forward on the agenda)

The Service Manager (Environmental Health) was in attendance to provide a presentation to the Steering Group on the West Suffolk Community Energy Plan and its role in driving growth.  Circulated with the agenda papers was a copy of the West Suffolk Community Energy Plan, approved by both Councils in December 2014, which aimed for the wider community in West Suffolk to be able to make sustainable energy choices, reduce the impact of energy cost volatility and to move away from the use of fossil fuels.

The presentation covered the following main areas:

·         The Government renewables policy where 15% of energy consumed in the UK should come from renewables by 2020 (sub-divided into 30%: electricity; 12%: heat; 10%: transport).  The UK was three quarters of the way towards the 30% electricity target, which was expected to be exceeded by 2020, but was not halfway towards meeting the heat target and the proportion of renewable energy used in transport had actually reduced.

·         The uncertainty around the outlook for winter 2016/2017 had increased.  Existing power stations were closing/being mothballed, with future stations coming on-line.  There was also a changing demand for the provision of power and where energy sources were being consumed.

·         The restrictions within West Suffolk with the capacity provision of electricity and also with the gas provision to homes (40% of homes were off the gas main) and the impact which this was having on families having to use more expensive forms of heating.

·         The improvements both Councils were undertaking in relation to investing/installing energy efficiency  measures, renewable energy technologies and designing in local energy generation in their own property.

·         Supporting businesses with advice from BEE Anglia to make informed investment decisions and helping access to financial support to make improvements.  The Councils were also involved with the following energy initiatives:

-      ‘Greener Business Grant’ which allowed businesses to take forward simple measures to make energy improvements. 

-      ‘West Suffolk Solar for Business’ which supported local businesses to provide them with solar energy.  There were currently 16 properties within the Solar for Business portfolio, which provided the Councils’ with a Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of an average of 11%.

-      ‘Suffolk Carbon Charter’ which helped businesses in West Suffolk to gain recognition for their environmental commitment.

·         Supporting families and communities, through initiatives such as Suffolk Energy Action and Suffolk’s Warm Homes, Healthy People.

·         Future actions in the Community Energy Plan:

-      Continuation of improvement of energy efficiency in the Councils’ existing estate.

-      Generation of energy in the Councils’ new-build public estates (ie Mildenhall Hub, Western Way development, West Suffolk Operational Hub)

-      Development of smarter energy contracts and the use of the Councils’ own electricity in its buildings.

-      Investment in other energy generation technologies for value returns.

-      Continuation to promote and invest in domestic and business energy efficiency.

-      Extension of the Councils’ Renewable Energy for Business offer for power and heat.

-      Development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To receive a presentation from representatives from TechEast on its plans and aspirations.

(TechEast’s mission is to accelerate the growth of the digital tech economy in the East, through promotion, excellence and support)

Neil Miles, Chairman of TechEast, was in attendance to provide an update on progress with the establishment of this organisation. 

There was a thriving digital tech sector in the region which employed over 15,000 people.  This was a high value sector which was fundamental to everyone’s lives and businesses in terms of technology.  TechEast’s main purpose was to provide a network to drive and promote the digital tech sector across the region.  TechEast was a not-for profit organisation, working across both Norfolk and Suffolk, building activities and relationships and would be generating a number of projects and activities. 

TechEast had produced a six point manifesto, underpinned by a detailed three year business plan of activities:

1.       To promote digital tech growth and excellence in the East using local tech businesses as examples in order to attract new business and talent from other parts of the UK and internationally.

2.       To establish a TechEast ‘embassy’; a physical presence in London showcasing businesses and the sector, aiding business development and encouraging government investment.

3.       To galvanise the sector by speaking with one voice to amplify the benefits for tech companies in the East.

4.       To excel by sharing best practice between members and ensure that TechEast companies were amongst the best run tech companies in the UK.

5.       To be recognised as the UK’s most open and collaborative digital tech cluster where new companies and entrepeneurs could thrive and grow in a supportive environment.

6.       To work with local and national educational partners to develop the relevant sector skills and benefit from cutting edge research.

By succeeding with this manifesto this would create 5,000 jobs, generate  an extra £650m GVA of economic growth in the East and be one of the UK’s Top 5 tech cluster by 2020.

Neil explained that the TechEast Board had been appointed in July 2016.  The TechEast ‘embassy’ was now open and was located near to Liverpool Street Station, London.  This was available for use by its members and offered small scale office space with hot desks, free wi-fi, meeting rooms and events/networking opportunities.  TechEast’s membership offer for local businesses had also been recently launched.

Councillor Alaric Pugh thanked Neil for this informative update and explained that it would also be useful for the Members of the Steering Group to be provided with a copy of TechEast’s three year Business Plan, which provided the further detail of its purpose and desired outcomes. Neil agreed with this approach and also stated that he would be willing to  come back to the Group in the future to provide a further update on progress.

With there being no decision required, the Steering Group noted this update, along with a further update on TechEast’s progress being reported to the Steering Group in Autumn 2017.

(Councillor Peter Thompson left the meeting at 11.15 am, prior to the commencement of this item)

To note the date of the next meeting as follows:

Tuesday 21 February 2017       10.00 am     West Suffolk House,

                                                                   Bury St Edmunds

Additional meetings of the Steering Group can also be arranged as and when required.

Under this item, the Service Manager (Economic Development and Growth) took the opportunity to discuss with the Steering Group a proposed Work Programme for 2017.

The Group had previously agreed that the format of their meetings should be based on themes, with one/two topics per meeting in the form of presentations/discussions.  It had also been acknowledged that the agendas would need to remain flexible to allow for new topics which may require discussion.  Councillor Pugh also stated that a report from the Steering Group should also be presented directly to Cabinet, which outlined actions/recommendations from the Group.

The Service Manager (Economic Development and Growth) then provided some suggested topic areas for inclusion in the work programme for 2017, including:-

1.       Suffolk Planning and Infrastructure Framework (SPIF) update and the wider South East work (to be considered in early 2017).

2.       Infrastructure (including roads, rail, broadband etc..).

3.       Skills (including an update on the Suffolk Skills Strategy) (to be considered in early 2017).

4.       Policy Updates (including Housing Policy White Paper (which was due for publication in early 2017), Local Plans, Masterplans and Vision 2031).

5.       Cambridge to Norwich Technology Corridor (to be considered in Autumn 2017).

6.       Developer Relationships (including countryside; promoting to developers; agents and industry).

7.       Sector Programme Updates (including Destination Management Organisation (DMO)/tourism industry; Agri-tech; Film Suffolk (to be considered in Autumn 2017); TechEast (to be considered in Autumn 2017)).

8.       Land and premises update.

With there being no decision required, the Steering Group noted the proposed items for inclusion in a Work Programme for 2017.

It was also noted that the next meeting of the Steering Group would be held on Tuesday 21 February 2017 at 10.00 am at West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds.   Additional meetings of the Steering Group could also be arranged, as and when required.