Minutes:
Tom Pike (SBC Strategic Director) introduced the item by drawing attention to the local skills challenge, with lower than County average median annual earnings in Stevenage and lower than County average pupil attainment. To help redress this imbalance, the Town Investment Plan ambition was for a brand new, purpose-built Enterprise Centre in the Town Centre, in order to provide Level 3, 4 and 5 courses in science, technology, engineering and health subjects and a range of apprenticeship opportunities.
Tom advised that the proposed location of this facility had changed, and that partners were exploring an option to locate it in the Town Square, adjacent to the Co-Space building.
Kit Davies (North Herts College) advised that the building would be for courses relating to new Engineering, Construction and inter-related Sustainable Technologies, and would be Phase 2 of the SITEC project (Phase 1 being already located on the College site). It would accommodate 400-500 full time students on study programmes and T-levels; 50-70 students on HE level programmes; 100-150 apprentices on day-release programmes; and hundreds of adult learners on remote/part-time/evening learning. It would employ circa 50 staff in lecturing, technician and student support roles.
Kit showed some CGI visuals as to how the internal layout of the facility might look, including classroom, workshop and laboratory images. He reminded the Board that SITEC Phase 1 was open, with additional funding secured, providing a variety of facilities such as a GMP laboratory, VR Room, Immersive Suite, Healthcare suites, employer zone, and hi-spec Digital workshops.
Tom Pike advised that the College had secured £6.4Million of capital funding to upgrade facilities, to be spent by 31 March 2026 (restrictions including that the funding could not be used to purchase land nor pay for a rental). The Enterprise Centre in the Town Deal was unable to be delivered on the originally planned site. It was estimated that the cost could be up to £15.4Million for the Centre, although construction inflation costs had risen by 20% between 2021 and 2024. The SBC Regeneration Team and North Herts College were currently working with architects and consultants regarding a scheme for the new site, as well as engaging with potential funders. Chris Le May (Mace) also spoke to indicated that Mace were interested in exploring this option linked to the SG1 scheme.
Tom presented a series of recommendations to the Board, and it was RESOLVED:
1. That a plan be developed for the first phase, together with an overall business case (potential to create the first phase of the Enterprise Centre, creating 150 jobs, and at a cost of circa £1.5Million).
2. That North Herts College be invited to bid for local funding from the Hertfordshire LEP and other sources.
3. That central engagement take place with the Department for Education regarding potential further funding bids, and a senior stakeholder meeting be convened to make the case for additional funding.
4. That, in respect of design and market engagement, construction organisations be engaged to consider any further scheme efficiencies, designs or solutions.
5. That, in respect of industry collaboration, North Herts College be requested to hold sector engagement consultations in key portfolio areas to further inform and develop curriculum and infrastructure requirements.