Issue - meetings

The Director, Planning, Transport and Economic Development, will provide an update on the Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal proposal.

Andrew Smith, Director Planning, Transport and Economic Development presented a report on the Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal proposal, and answered questions from Members.

Andrew informed the meeting that an expression of interest was submitted to Government in January 2013, and it had been agreed that the Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal proposal could be taken forward. The Government had asked that the City Deal negotiations be concluded by the end of 2013, and key dates and information on the final deal were outlined in the report.

Andrew said that a key element of developing the City Deal proposal was the engagement of the private sector. He said that next steps would be for the City Deal officer group to meet to discuss the timetable for development of the final City Deal. This could draw from the Government’s core package which covers the areas of infrastructure, labour market and skills, and private sector growth. Andrew said the City Deal already provided an opportunity to bid for two funding sources, with potential investment in cycleways and grant monies for businesses.

Andrew noted that a LLEP officer would be seconded to manage the City Deal development programme and her role could be backfilled through the LLEP.

Members asked what the environmental impact of the proposal would be, for example, through additional freight. Andrew said environmental issues would need to be addressed in respect of any physical development proposals associated with the City Deal. He added the City Deal may provide an opportunity to provide Grade A quality offices in Leicester to attract and retain companies into the city.

Members stated that public transport prevented people in Leicester from reaching some parts of the county. Andrew stated that some of the sites under discussion in the county were close to the city boundary, though a strategy for getting people to the sites using public transport would be developed.

The Chair thanked the Director for the update, and requested that a regular update on the City Deal development be provided to the Scrutiny Commission.

RESOLVED:

1.    that the update be noted.

2.    that a regular update on the Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal proposal be provided to the Scrutiny Commission.