agenda - executive board 22 july 2020€¦ · observers: john henderson (jh) ... the midlands...

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Executive Board – AGENDA Date: Wednesday 22 July, 2020 Venue: Virtual via Teams

Item Timing Topic Paper No. Lead

Business items

1

13.00 – 13.15

Chairs welcome.

Declarations of Interest & Minutes. Paper: EB20.7.1

Chair

2. Items for discussion

2.1

2.2

2.3

13.15 – 14.30

Presentations:

• Observatory update ‐ Impact of Covid‐19.

Mental Health and Productivity Pilot.

Directors Report – Delivery.

Paper: EB20.7.3

Paper: EB20.7.4

DD

NL / GD

RG

3. 14.30 ‐14.45 AOB.

Roundtable – Visitor Economy.

Date of next meeting: 14 Oct 2020 Venue TBC.

Membership: Sir John Peace (SJP) Cllr Philip Atkins (PA) Leader Staffordshire County Council, Prof. Alec Cameron (AC) President & Vice Chancellor, Aston University, Cllr David Mellen (DM) Leader Nottingham City Council, Cllr Simon Geraghty (SG) Leader Worcestershire County Council, Cllr Martin Hill (MH) Leader Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Barry Lewis (BL) Leader Derbyshire County Council, Anthony May (AM) Chair Operating Board, Prof Edward Peck (EP) Vice Chancellor Nottingham Trent University, Kevin Harris (KH) Chair of Leicester & Leicestershire LEP, Cllr Chris Poulter (CP), Derby City Council, Mark Stansfeld (MS) Chair of Worcestershire LEP, Andy Street (AS) Mayor West Midlands Combined Authority, Rachael Greenwood (RG)

Observers: John Henderson (JH) Chief Executive, Staffordshire County Council. Rowena Limb (RL) Area Director Cities and Local Growth, Shehzad Chaudray (SC).

Apologies: Cllr David Mellen (DM) Leader Nottingham City Council.

In attendance:

Guests: Professor Delma Dwight, (DD) Director of Economic Intelligence, Black Country Intelligence Unit. Sir Norman Lamb (NL), Professor Guy Daly (GD), Pro Vice Chancellor, Coventry University.

Chair: Sir John Peace.

Minutes: Gayle Aughton (GA).

Executive Board – February 26, 2020

Minutes for the Midlands Engine Executive Board

Attendees:

Name Position

Sir John Peace (SJP) Chairman of the Board

Anthony May (AM) Chair Midland Engine Operating Board. Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire County Council

Rachael Greenwood (RG) Midlands Engine, Director

Bob Sleigh (BS) West Midlands Councils, Deputy Mayor WMCA

Cllr Philip Atkins (PA) West Midlands Councils. Leader, Staffordshire County Council

Prof Alec Cameron (AC) Midlands Innovation Universities, Chair

Maria Machancoses (MM) Midlands Connect Programme Director

Cllr Barry Lewis (BL) East Midlands Councils. Leader, Derbyshire County Council

Cllr Chris Poulter (CP) East Midlands Councils. Leader, Derby City Council

Cllr David Mellen (DM) East Midlands Councils. Leader Nottingham City Council

Kevin Harris (KH) East Midlands LEPs. Chair, Leicester and Leicestershire LEP

Prof Edward Peck (EP) Midlands Enterprise Universities. Vice Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University

Nicki Jenkins (NJ) Midlands Engine AB and Chief Executive, Nottingham City Council

Observers:

Anthony Everitt (AE) Midlands Engine Interim Programme Manager

Simon Hall (SH) Department for International Trade, HMG Regional Director

Nick King (NK) ME Consultant

Rowena Limb (RL) Cities and Local Growth Unit, HMG Regional Director

John Henderson (JH) Chief Executive, Staffordshire County Council

Marian Sudbury (MS) DIT Director for UK Regions

Apologies:

Cllr Ian Ward (IW) West Midland Councils. Leader, Birmingham City Council

Mark Stansfield (MS) West Midlands LEPs. Chair Worcestershire LEP

Ian Curryer (IC) Midlands Engine AB and Chief Executive, Nottingham City Council

Andy Street (AS) West Midlands Councils. Mayor, WMCA

Cllr Martin Hill (MH) East Midlands Councils. Leader, Lincolnshire County Council

Cllr Simon Geraghty (SG) West Midlands Councils. Leader, Worcestershire County Council

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Item Narrative

1 Introduction & apologies

The Chairman welcomed members to the Midlands Engine Executive Board, and thanked General Sir Tim Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE, KCB for hosting the meeting.

1.1 There were no declarations of interest.

1.2 Apologies noted above.

2 Approval of minutes EB20.2.1

2.1 Approval of the Minutes.

The Board approved the minutes from the meeting held 11 September without amendment.

2.1 Matter arising.

None recorded.

3. Chairs Opening Remarks

The Chairman welcomed John Henderson and Marian Sudbury to the meeting and provided members with an update on recent meetings and notes of support for the Regional Leaders Summit.

4. Finance Update EB2.20.2

The Chairman welcomed NJ to provide an update on the current financial position for the Midlands Engine.

The Chairman alongside the members of the Board thanked Nottingham City Council for the Accountable Body support to the Midlands Engine Partnership to date.

5. Midlands Engine Communications and emerging new narrative EB2.20.3

RG was invited by the Chairman to present a paper to update members on Midlands Engine communications and the emerging new narrative for the Partnership.

Active progress toward the development of a new narrative was discussed and members agreed to this was the right course of action and welcomed the opportunity to feed and provide comments.

6. Midlands Engine Economic Observatory update and IER EB20.4.4

Members noted the latest economic performance within the QEC and final draft of the IER and welcomed the opportunity to hold sub regional launch events for the IER.

7. AOB

N/a

8. Date of next meeting: The next meeting of the Executive Board scheduled for the 22 April 2020 is cancelled due to the business demands of partner organisations due to Covid-19. The next scheduled meeting 22 July, 2020 will be conducted virtually, as business need arises.

Presentations – EB20.7.3

Page 1 of 2

Security Level: Confidential Restricted Unclassified Commercially Sensitive

Meeting & Date: Midlands Engine Executive Board

Subject: Partner Presentations

Attachments:

Author: Midlands Engine Executive Total no of sheets: (incl. cover sheet)

2

Papers are provided for: Approval Discussion Information

Summary & Recommendation:

Summary

This report sets the scene for two presentations to be received by the Executive Board on key programmes of

work by the Midlands Engine Partnership – led by partners from the Midlands Engine Observatory and the

Mental Health and Productivity Pilot.

Presentations – EB20.7.3

Page 2 of 2

Midlands Engine Observatory ‐ The Midlands Observatory, which is funded by both the Midlands Engine and

Partnership contributions, brings together a unique collaboration of leading researchers and academics from our

region’s universities, partner organisations and private sector research specialists. It brings extensive research

capabilities to benefit all partners in the Midlands, with analysis and study findings helping to shape strategies, policies

and delivery plans towards our shared ambition of a region of thriving businesses, places and communities.

Recent high profile work has included publication of the Independent Economic Review, as approved by this Board and

the publication of fortnightly Covid Monitors – assessing and analysing the impact of the pandemic on the Midlands

economy.

The presentation, which will focus on recent and work and findings will delivered by Professor Delma Dwight, Director of

Economic Intelligence, Black Country Intelligence Unit and research partner for the Midlands Engine Observatory.

Mental Health and Productivity Pilot ‐ In July 2019 stakeholders from across the Midlands came together to form a

strategic partnership to test way of reducing levels of sickness absence and reduce numbers of people falling out of

work due to mental health conditions. This programme of work is funded by the Health and Work Unit within

Government.

The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot Advisory Board was established with influential leaders from across the region

from sectors including industry, health, local authorities and service users. The Board is chaired by Dame Julie Moore

DBE and supported by Sir Norman Lamb and Paul Farmer (Chief Executive Officer, Mind).

The Board have outlined a number of outputs it will deliver in the Midlands over the next three years including; the

development of clear evidence base that demonstrates the most efficient ways of increasing employee mental

wellbeing, provide a report into the effectiveness of approaches in tackling mental health in the workplace and a

comprehensive cost analysis of the real impact of adverse mental health to employers.

The presentation will delivered by Sir Norman Lamb, member of the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot Advisory Board and Professor Guy Daly, Deputy Vice‐Chancellor, Coventry University and Lead for the Programme Team for the pilot.

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of 7 Directors Report ‐ Delivery EB20.7.4

Security Level: Confidential Restricted Unclassified Commercially Sensitive

Meeting & Date: Midlands Engine Executive Board ‐ 22 July 2020

Subject: Directors Report – Delivery ‐ to July 2020

Attachments: Brochure page

Author: Director, Midlands Engine Total no of sheets: (incl. cover sheet)

7

Papers are provided for: Approval Discussion Information

Summary & Recommendation:

Summary

This report sets out an update on implementation of the Midlands Engine Business Plan 2020/21 and demonstrates significant progress now being made across the Partnership, led by partners from all parts of the Midlands Engine.

Recommendations

To note summary and actions required, including:

1. To note the content of this report and updates on delivery being progressed at pace

2. To acknowledge the hugely significant contribution of many partners in enabling the shared workprogramme of the Midlands Engine Partnership.


Business Plan Implementation ‐ Programme Updates

The Midlands Engine Business Plan 2020/21, sets out the core work programme of the partnership over the period

2020/21. Considerable progress has been made in the short period since approval of this Plan by this Board. Work areas

and partner leads are summarised below.

It is noted formally that such progress has only been made possible by the significant investment of time and energy by

partners – powerfully enacting the intended distributed leadership model of our partnership.

Summary of Work streams

Midlands Engine Work stream Lead / Main Partner(s)

A1 Midlands Engine Observatory Black Country Economic Intelligence Unit, Nottingham Trent University, CityREDI plus Midlands Engine Exec

B1 Midlands Engine Energy Partnership LEPs, Midlands Energy Hub, Energy Capital plus Midlands Engine Exec

B2 Midlands Engine Supply Chains LEP’s – M9 plus Midlands Engine Exec

B3 Access to Finance in Midlands Engine British Business Bank plus Midlands Engine Exec

B4 Midlands Engine Business Mentoring and Leadership Be the Business, LEP’s plus Midlands Engine Exec

B5 Accelerating Science and Innovation Innovation and Enterprise Group plus Midlands Engine Exec

B6 Midlands Engine Environment Strategy NGO (enviro) consortia plus Midlands Engine Exec

C1 Midlands Digital Midlands Enterprise Universities, LEP’s plus Midlands Engine Exec

C2 Midlands Engine – International Trade and Investment

Trade and Investment group – (sub group of) leading commissioned study presently inc Midlands Engine Exec

C3 Midlands Engine Health Midlands Enterprise Universities, Midlands Innovation Universities, Midlands Innovation Health, Midlands Health Alliance plus Midlands Engine Exec

Brief updates on progress are provided below.

A1 ‐ Midlands Engine Observatory

The Observatory has seen several outputs delivered since the last Executive Board:

The Independent Economic Review (IER) and supporting documents were all released in May

The Quarterly Economic Commentary was published in June, alongside an updated statistical data set

6 Covid Impact Monitors have been produced and published

All materials, including extensive supporting data, are available on the Midlands Engine website.


Our Observatory team led by the Black Country Consortium Economic Intelligence Unit, Nottingham Trent University

and City‐REDI (University of Birmingham) will continue to produce the Covid Impact Monitor fortnightly until further

notice. Subsequent editions will be themed, with particular themes being; skills, SME’s, energy, transport and digital.

Partner feedback on the Covid Impact Monitor has been overwhelmingly positive, and Board members will be aware of

this work also informing discussion at MP roundtable discussions hosted by both the Secretary of State for International

Trade and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

As the outputs within the original Observatory contract are now delivered, work is advancing in conjunction with

partners to move forward to the new Observatory structure which was agreed by the Operating Board at their meeting

in May 2020.

Actions underway to achieve this is are as follows:

Scoping is underway to deliver the first Midlands Engine State of the Region report which will first be presented

to this Board in at its October meeting. After this, publication and an open‐to‐attend webinar will aid

dissemination

Communication has been sent to all Midlands HEIs (in collaboration with Midlands Innovation Universities and

Midland Enterprise Universities) inviting contributions to join an expanded Observatory Research Partnership

(complementing the work of partners noted above), including a focus on our indicative research programme

A Midlands Engine Intelligence Community is being established providing a forum for pan‐Midlands data owners

to contribute to the ‘dataset’ of the Observatory, help shape the research programme and ensure all

geographies and sectors of our regional are well represented

Work is also actively ongoing to support other work‐streams including supply‐chains intelligence, digital, health,

internationalisation, energy and others.

B1 Midlands Engine Energy Partnership

A range of meetings have taken place with partners to establish the core principles of a pan‐regional energy group,

positively received by partners. This includes dialogue with LEP’s, Energy Research Accelerator, Midlands Energy Hub,

Energy Capital (including presentation to the Board) and ongoing input from Midlands Innovation Universities who led

on much of the early energy discussions over the summer 2019. Discussion groups are now planned to consider assets

which might be captured within a regional energy review, approach to asset, capability and gap mapping – with the aim

of capturing scale of the issue and what is currently being done. Resource and capacity options are being examined in

partnership with the Midlands Energy Hub and BEIS (Local Energy).

B2 Midlands Engine Supply Chains

Work is underway to specify in detail particular supply chain investigations which in due course could provide evidence

on which to act, to help strengthen the Midlands Engine economy. Collapse of supply chains in med‐tech and food (and

others) in light of pandemic are focusing this work recognising that whilst some have adapted short term, longer term

resilience is needed.

Discussion groups have been underway to select enquiry areas including with LEP’s, Warwick University, data owners

and external advisors – with further discussions planned with University colleagues. Work has been completed to gather

an overview of existing evidence / recent work and explore possible approaches (method) recognising that no one ‘best’

method exists to understand supply chains. Next steps include advancing discussions across the partnership, further

academic partner input and input from external data owners if this can be secured.


B3 Access to Finance in Midlands Engine

Work has advanced with the British Business Bank (BBB) as lead partner to explore gaps in the Midlands Engine Access

to Finance landscape. This work is complementary to the MEIF review (underway) and will help shape future iterations

of MEIF. It may also expose particular gaps in Access to Finance which BBB may / may not be able to address but which

are material to the Midlands Engine – such as demand stimulus and business confidence. A series of research questions

to explore this area in a structured way, avoiding duplication with the work by any other partner and involving as many

partners as possible have been prepared and are now being consulted on, led by BBB.

B4 Midlands Engine Business Mentoring and Leadership

Following the Government request for MEP led business mentoring and leadership initiatives across the Midlands,

aimed at improving the region’s productivity, we have been discussing potential options with officials, advisers and

ministers in various Government Departments. The need for this has become all the more apparent in light of the

Covid‐19 pandemic, which has shown the benefits of tech adoption and digital skills. We are now developing a pilot

programme to be launched later this summer. Further partner consultation is planned.

B5 Accelerating Science and Innovation

Initial work to identify an appropriate project scope to enable a continued focus on science and innovation has been

undertaken. This included exploring options to commission a contemporary review of the Science and Innovation Audit

– undertaken in 2016.

With a rapidly changing landscape and the need to reflect/address the impact of Covid‐19 the Innovation and Enterprise

Chair (Prof Iain Gillespie) is considering alternative, more impactful use of resource which could include a rapid review of

existing innovation programme, enabling intensified promotion of existing activity and sharper clarity across what is an

extensive range of programmes at various stages of development / delivery across the Midlands Engine. Review work

will progress rapidly and conclude in August, after which next steps will be taken, likely to include commissioned

support.

B6 Midlands Engine Environment Strategy

This work stream proposes development of a pan‐regional environmental strategy focused on enabling sustainable

growth. Work has advanced in dialogue with the 4 NGO’s in dialogue (National Trust, RSPB, Woodlands Trust and

Wildlife Trusts) to identify co‐funded resource to drive this work area forward and a senior policy colleague has been

seconded who will lead initial steps. Links have also been made with Midlands Engine Development Corporation

colleagues and Birmingham City University (linked to the National Park Lab project). Next steps include confirming the

scope of an initial phase of work with partners and wider partnership engagement.

C1 Midlands Digital

With an objective to prepare a digital action plan for the Midlands Engine, work has commenced at pace, led by

Midlands Enterprise Universities / West Midlands Combined Universities working together with Midlands Engine

Executive team. A scope of work has been developed around which initial priorities have been identified. These include

a rapid review of evidence which has been completed by Midlands Engine Analyst, and an assimilation of digital

strategies across the Midlands Engine (also completed). Introductory meetings with WM5G have been held to explore

the potential to utilise the mapping technology already developed within the WMCA area as a tool to rapidly and cost

effectively map (and evidence) areas of challenge across the Midlands Engine as a whole. A presentation to the M9 LEP’s

is intended during July and other interested partners have come forward.


C2 Midlands Engine – International Trade and Investment

Work has progressed via the Midlands Engine Trade and Investment (T&I) Group to consolidate the position after the

cancellation of MIPIM. This is material to the work programme for the current year as, together with all destination

partners and partners involved in MIPIM, a feasibility study for a virtual event later this year at which to showcase the

assets prepared for MIPIM is underway. WM Growth Company have significantly supported this exploration with the

continued convening of meetings for MIPIM partners as the exit planning and new proposals have advanced.

A working group of the T&I group including partners – WM Growth Company, MHCLG, DIT, Midlands Engine Executive

has commissioned a rapid review of the international (T&I) landscape and Covid‐19 impacts. Data review has been

supported by the Midlands Engine Analyst and DIT data inputs. Early work is progressing fast and partner inputs will be

sought – Prof Ryan Cillian (Nottingham Trent University) has offered expert input to this work in due course.

The T&I group continues its work to contribute to and oversee the work of the MIPIM evaluation (previous 3 years), due

for completion in August/September. This evaluation will inform future activity/investment considerations.

C3 Midlands Engine Health

A working group involving Midlands Innovation, Midlands Health Alliance, Midlands Enterprise Universities and MEP

Executive Team has been advancing work to establish the need for / focus for complementary resources to accelerate

the health and life science agenda across the Midlands Engine. Early work has included dialogue and review with

university partners and NHS Trusts actively engaged in this area – with demonstrable support muted for the planned

approach to bring additional capacity to this area. Awaiting feedback presently from MHA Board of Directors (who

received a presentation during July), next steps will likely include confirmation of roles, recruitment and in parallel,

definition of early tasks to be undertaken.

Other Progress Areas:

Updates on additional areas of progress since the last meeting of this Executive Board are provided below.

Midlands Engine Skills Board

The Midlands Engine Skills Board identified, at its most recent meeting, the need to bring together a taskforce to focus on the impact of Covid‐19. This group had its first meeting on 10 July to review data which had been collated by MEP Analyst support, on the impact across the skills landscape during the pandemic. A broad scope of work has been identified by the Skills Board Chair (Angela Joyce) as follows:

1) Understanding of the baseline/current skills picture2) Data on regional employer impacts3) Sector shifts due to Covid‐19 – both for jobs and businesses4) What is our current upskilling capability – through colleges, universities, LEPs, Combined Authority etc.5) What Government interventions are already happening in this space6) What are the policies/interventions that might be needed? On a Midlands level, perhaps by sector7) How will these be funded/what might be the asks of Government – specific to the Midlands?

Areas 1‐3 above have been completed, with a data set shared with the Taskforce to inform subsequent discussions.

Midlands Engine Voice ‐ Communications and Public Affairs Update

Public Affairs and Events ‐ Midlands Engine has held a series of engagements with regional MPs and this work continues. In particular, the focus is on meeting new MPs from both parties and updating them on Midlands Engine priorities as well as understanding their priorities. We have directly engaged with and have planned engagement


timelines for all 31 new MPs across the region. All Midlands MPs receive the Covid‐19 Impact Monitor and our monthly newsletter as standard.

We have been supporting the creation of an All‐Party Parliamentary Group for the Midlands Engine which will be

launched on return from summer recess, with introductory remarks from Sir John and which will meet regularly in

Westminster in the future. This provides a valuable opportunity to highlight Partnership pan‐regional priorities

and to work more closely with our region’s parliamentarians.

In addition, three events with Ministers have been held since April – one with Local Growth Minister Simon Clarke

MP and leaders from every part of the Midlands, one with Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss MP

with over 60 businesses, and the first in a series of four meetings with Secretary of State for Housing,

Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick MP. This last meeting also included over 25 regional MPs. A

background paper circulated ahead of these meetings is attached for information.

The Midlands Engine Chairman has also corresponded directly with Government Departments about Midlands

Engine priorities, including highlighting projects directly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer – correspondence

which has been circulated to this Executive Board. There has also been significant engagement in the past two

months with DIT, MHCLG and DfT and we are in dialogue regularly with BEIS about work on business productivity

and energy.

Finally, the Midlands Engine have also engaged with the official opposition, in particular in meeting with the

Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry MP whilst Midlands Connect have met with

Tan Dhesi MP, the Shadow Rail Minister.

A separate paper with a full communications update has been provided to the Midlands Engine Operating Board,

setting our wider work on communications and social media in particular. This can be shared with Executive Board

members on request.

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email: [email protected] web: midlandsengine.orgtwitter: @midsengine linkedin: midlands-engine

Trent Bridge House, Fox Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6BJ

© Midlands Engine 2020

MIDLANDS ENGINE PARTNERSHIP Responding to Covid-19 & Looking Beyond

The Covid-19 pandemic is negatively affecting every part of the UK but research shows that the Midlands is likely to be the most adversely affected region. Extraordinary work is already being undertaken by Midlands Engine partners in response. As a partnership, we work towards collective action in all we do and right now, this includes addressing immediate challenges and enabling informed decisions to be made together, as we plan for the future of the Midlands economy.

Dealing with Immediate ChallengesData-led recovery - our Observatory generates fortnightly Covid-19 Economic Impact Monitors, providing evidence to shape short term actions and future policy.Convening & connecting - a series of virtual meetings with government departments, regional partners, businesses and institutions to coordinate the response to Covid-19, gather insights that inform preparations for recovery and ensure pressures on our region are understood by Government.Addressing impact on mental health - the Midlands Engine funded Mental Health and Productivity Pilot is helping improve workplace mental health and wellbeing including resources for home workers.Rebuilding the Midlands EconomyJoint, aligned investment - to secure long-term economic growth through the development of partnership-based regional strategies for: energy, skills, sustainable growth, supply chains and addressing gaps in access to finance.Internationalisation - the Midlands is an exporting engine. Growing the region’s profile and connectivity internationally is enabling us to build on this core economic strength.Transformational economic projects - creating and taking opportunities for the region including development corporations, transport and infrastructure connectivity via Midlands Connect and in emerging Government policy e.g. freeports.Intelligence & data - our Observatory provides in-depth data and analysis for the Midlands, an evidence base for a targeted recovery plan for our region.Growing the voice of the region - through the Midlands Matters newsletter, regular engagement with MPs, stakeholders and representing the interests of all who live in the Midlands – their families, their businesses and all our communities.

agenda - executive board 22 july 2020€¦ · observers: john henderson (jh) ... the midlands...

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