Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters to be considered at this meeting.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 10 June 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10 June 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Henderson directed the board to point 10 of the minutes and updated the reports that were agreed were in preparation and were due to come to a future meeting.

Councillor Karen Buckley requested the coach industry update to be redistributed to members of the board.

A presentation by Sarah Kemp, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The Chairman addressed the board of Sarah Kemp’s absence and that the item would be postponed until the next meeting.

A presentation by Scott Butterfield, the Strategy, Policy and Research Manager Blackpool Council.

Scott Butterfield, Strategy, Policy and Research Manager at Blackpool Council, submitted a presentation that aimed to address Carbon Emissions on the Fylde Coast.

Mr Butterfield covered the following topics:

-       National policy context

-       Regional and local context

-       Current picture

-       Potential opportunities and examples from elsewhere

He concluded his presentation and put two key questions to the group:

-       What local schemes could help address climate issues, and what is needed to start or accelerate their delivery?

-       What is the role of the board around the interface between economic development and this agenda?

Councillor Mark Smith discussed the different deadline dates for the three authorities to reach net carbon zero targets and asked whether it would be productive to have a universal date. Scott Butterfield explained that all authorities would need to gain a better understanding of how to achieve net zero before the possible alignment of dates. He added that the findings of the Atkins report would provide clarity for the future and would help quantify expectations on where authorities should be setting their net zero targets.

Councillor Karen Buckley raised a concern about the production of hydrogen having an impact on the environment. Mr Butterfield explained that it is hoped that advancements in technology could help the future decarbonisation of the production of hydrogen.

The board discussed the growing importance of the creation of green jobs across the Fylde Coast. Members asked for the section that related to the economic information and useful data from the Carbon Literacy training presented by Sammy Grey, Wyre Council, to be distributed to all members and attendees of the board for their information.

Rob Green added that the Hillhouse site was an appropriate location for the clean production of hydrogen and that there was a Hydrogen Working Group reviewing the different opportunities.

Members of the board discussed issues to overcome surrounding electric vehicles and charging points such as standardised charging points, on-street charging points, green energy suppliers and load balancing.

The board agreed that their role should be as an influencer and enabler. They discussed the potential of the board to identify green local projects and businesses across the Fylde Coast that need the funding and match up opportunities.

Members discussed issues surrounding planning law and the creation of energy efficient homes. The members of the board agreed to put pressure on the government to change policy to allow a shift in resources (government grant) to housing providers and associations in order to make existing homes more energy efficient. Further research work was to be done on this initially, including sharing the report on the housing stock analysis across Fylde Coast showing emissions and to understand what grants were already available for the energy efficiency of homes.

The board agreed that Scott Butterfield would submit an updated presentation to a future EPB meeting.

The Chairman thanked Scott Butterfield for his attendance and contributions.

The discussion of the reports submitted under items 7 and 8 of this agenda may involve the disclosure of “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. If at any point during the meeting, the board wishes to move to confidential session, it will need to pass the following resolution:

“That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst the remaining agenda items are considered, on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”.

The Economic Prosperity Board agreed that the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst the remaining agenda items 7 and 8 were considered, on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation

Order 2006 and, that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the informations.

Report of the Head of Enterprise Zones, Blackpool Council

Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zones, submitted a report and provided the board with an update on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Garry Payne, Chief Executive Wyre Council, requested, to which the board agreed, that a progress column be added to the top enquires table.

Councillor Karen Buckley proposed, and the board agreed, that the EPB board supports the push for the LEP network to continue to lobby MHCLG to seek an extension of EZ fiscal benefits.

Councillor Buckley asked officers for an update report on Fibre Blackpool to be submitted for the December meeting.

Martin Long, Blackpool Council co-opted private sector representative, raised some issues surrounding the backlog and timescales for businesses wanting to obtain premises on the site. Rob Green responded and explained that the situation was complicated, but work was happening to overcome the issues.

The board agreed to note the report.

Report of the Head of Enterprise Zones, Blackpool Council

Rob Green, Head of Enterprise Zone, submitted a report and presented an update on Hillhouse Enterprise Zone.

The board agreed that a business perspective presentation by Neil Farley, Fylde Council co-opted public sector representative, be presented at the December meeting. The presentation would discuss future green job opportunities and focused change in the market.

They also agreed that Blackpool and the Fylde College be asked to provide a report/presentation also with an emphasis on green job opportunities, skills gaps on the Fylde Coast and how they were addressing this.

The board agreed to note the report.

The board thanked Mr Green for his reports and contributions.