Minutes:
Considered a presentation by James Farrar, Chief
Executive of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on the devolution
deal, the step change it presented in championing the needs of the region at a
national level and in delivering investment through a collaborative approach
with councils, businesses and other stakeholders, and how this collaborative
approach would bring opportunities for the coast. The Combined Authority was a rural
trailblazer given its expanse, diversity and geography but the important thing
was that by understanding these diverse needs, all communities should benefit,
although not necessarily at the same time nor in the same way. Mr Farrar shared details of the £540m Mayoral
Investment Fund across the different areas of housing, skills, net zero,
transport and business, the £30m invested to date including the boat hoist in
Scarborough as a priority project, details of the £40m of new opportunities,
adding that investment should be owned and driven locally with a plan for every
town. He demonstrated how through its
links to central government the Combined Authority lobbied for local priorities
at a national level, and how the Combined Authority showed strategic leadership
in areas such as transport through commissioning a strategic review of
transport and in housing by launching a Strategic Place Partnership with Homes
England. The CA had also finalised an
Innovation Plan, commissioned a review into the future of farming, built the
case for an AI Growth Zone and sent a Comprehensive Spending Review submission
to Government in order to maximise future funding to
the region. A ten year
Growth Plan would be finalised in the coming weeks which identified where the
region had competitive advantage. These
were in five sectors of national significance including clean energy and the
offshore wind sector.
Turning to the questions pre-submitted by the
committee regarding how the local area would benefit from the Mayoral
Investment Fund, future funding streams, Combined Authority support for the
offshore wind sector, and the potential for improved rail connectivity between
Scarborough and UK cities, Mr Farrar advised that:
·
The CA would be inviting funding proposals from NYC supported by local
communities, citing the examples of village halls in the area which had
recently benefitted from the community buildings fund.
·
Future funding opportunities included the £10m fund to get people back
into work, bus service improvements, the new Local Growth Plan, bigger visitor
events on the coast, but these opportunities depended on Scarborough and Whitby
having a clear plan and vision which enjoyed widespread support.
·
Clean energy had been identified as a key priority for the region where
the CA was looking to benefit from the Growth Settlement. The local area needed to have identified
investible propositions to attract this funding.
·
The CA continued to push for two trains per hour between Scarborough and
York, and since York was the best connected city in
the north of England, this would facilitate improved connections with other
destinations. The CA’s direct
relationship with Great British Railways would assist in this effort.
Following this introduction, the issues raised by elected members
included:
·
Local investment by Homes England
·
CA support for Esk Valley Railway
·
Funding for the Scarborough Harbour boat hoist. This had been secured but any additional
funding for Scarborough Harbour would require an application to the CA
·
The importance of the CA’s working relationship with NYC and the area
committees to agree priorities and to develop plans which were owned by local
people
·
The future sustainability of the local offshore wind sector. This required a business-led approach.
·
The CA’s strategic review of bus services in the region to identify the
best model for bus service delivery
·
How to expand the Mayoral Investment Fund in the same manner as the Tees
Valley
·
How businesses go about applying for high street funding to the CA with
the support of NYC
Following members’ questions, Mr Farrar agreed to:
·
Investigate further the barriers to Homes England investment in
Eastfield
·
To provide further details of the CA’s support for the Esk Valley Railway
·
Investigate how the application process for local businesses to secure
high street funding could be made clearer
The Chair thanked Mr Farrar for his attendance and his responses to members’ questions.
Resolved that the presentation be received.