Minutes:
Graeme Collinge presented a Stevenage TIP projects long-list, with a total estimated cost of over £200M, broken down into potential funding sources. The Town Deal element was circa £85M, and so it had been necessary to prioritise these into a short-list. This process had been carried out, with a first assessment comprising evidence of need/response to challenge; contribution to Vision, Core Values and Objectives; Wider Strategy Alignment; Deliverability confidence; Scale of match funding; and Economic benefits. A second check had involved an assessment against the national/regional impact and the Covid-19 recovery contribution.
Graeme introduced the short-list, and commented that even if the Stevenage TIP bid was for £50M, this was only a fraction of the estimated £200M required for the long-list of projects. The following schemes were included in the short-list (based on a £50M TIP bid):
· Stevenage Gateway enabling and Rail Station Pre-Development;
· Town Enterprise Centre;
· Cycling & Pedestrian Connectivity Programme, including Heritage Arts Trail;
· Stevenage Technology & Innovation Centre;
· National New Towns Heritage Centre;
· Sports and Leisure Hub at Town Centre Gardens;
· Marshgate – biotech office and key worker housing scheme;
· Digital Infrastructure – hyperfast broadband/acceleration of 5G – Stage 1 feasibility; and
· Gunnels Wood Road infrastructure improvements.
The following comments/questions were raised by Board Members on this item, and Item 7 – Introduction/Visions for Stevenage TIP:
· In respect of jobs for locals, given the national significance of some companies, many demand Level 7 (Masters) educational qualifications, and skilled employees are drawn from far and wide;
· Had the local MP been engaged or contributed to the emerging vision and ambitions?;
· There needed to be a focus on apprenticeship schemes;
· The Health Trust was very interested in supporting skills growth and apprenticeships for its future workforce;
· The improvements to the east-west axis would be important with the potential growth of Stevenage to the west of the A1(M);
· The Voluntary Sector could be invaluable in developing confidence of residents, through volunteering and possible apprenticeships. They would also be integral in bringing residents with the Board on the journey;
· A number of local companies had identified a need to attract local people to a career in their industries through “Generation Stevenage” – however, they required assistance and focus to formalise this drive with all stakeholders. Following debate, the Chair suggested that a discussion on this matter outside of the meeting be led by Andy Fisher, with representatives of MBDA Airbus, GSK, Bioscience Catalyst ;
· Where was the remainder of the Gunnels Wood Road Gyratory funding expected to come from? There was perhaps some scope for an additional funding source to contribute toward the overall cost of the project;
· It was confirmed that TIP bids for £50M would not be disadvantaged, although there would be a need to ensure that the strengths of the a £50M bid would be better than a £25M bid;
· The Stevenage TIP bid should stress the town’s importance as part of the London to Cambridge innovation corridor, which was important in economic terms nationally;
· It was acknowledged that the short-list only contained £3M for skills-related schemes, but it was hoped that this would still be transformative, especially if the Government provided other grant funding;
· Following on from the MHCLG check and challenge process, the short-listed projects would require further development and refinement, both in terms of narrative/content and cost estimates;
· The Station Gateway area would require the support of Network Rail and a clear plan;
· The Arts Centre needed to be in the Town Centre, although the Sports/Leisure hub could be distributed around the town – a question was raised as to how this related to the Leisure Hub, and whether this should take priority;
· Clarifying the scope and focus of an Arts and Heritage Centre and whether there could be some reduction in cost;
· Enhanced health and wellbeing could flow through many of the short-listed projects;
· There was support for additional key worker housing/transport alternatives; and
· The ambition shown in the short-listed schemes was welcome, and the support of MACE was offered in assisting in confidence building with the Government at the next stage of the process.
Tom Pike (Strategic Director, SBC) commented that the TIP bid needed to work for the totality of the Board. More work was required, particularly in the field of additional funding sources to support the Town Deal bid. A strategy for skills needed to be developed, in order to match local people with opportunities and equip them with skills. The deliverability of the Station Gateway ambition would only be achieved through positive engagement with key stakeholders.
The Chair felt that the short-list of projects was heading in the right direction, and that the team would continue to develop what had been presented. If Members of the Board wished to submit further questions/comments outside of the meeting, he would ensure that they were dealt with by the team.