Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the statement of intent prepared and approved by the Development Corporation Oversight Board be endorsed;

b)    Rushcliffe Borough Council’s involvement in the establishment of the Development Corporation and the required interim arrangements be supported;

c)    the potential budget impact of the interim arrangements be noted;  

d)    a Member Working Group be set up and be regularly consulted on the progress of the development corporation work over the next two years, during the period of the interim delivery vehicle; and

e)    the report be referred to Council on 5 March 2020 for endorsement.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, presented the report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the Midlands Engine Development Corporation.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership referred to the Midlands Engine Development Corporation, which had been allocated funding in 2018 of £2m.  The Development Corporation would cover three geographical areas, including the Ratcliffe on Soar power station in Rushcliffe.  An Oversight Board had been established, chaired by Sir John Peace, with Councillor Robinson representing Rushcliffe.  A Business Case setting out preferred options would be submitted to Government in March 2020, with it proposed to go through Parliament by 2023.  The future use of the power station site was the Council’s main interest, as it would become a major development area for Rushcliffe and this report reflected the key role that Rushcliffe would play in the future shaping of the site itself.  The emerging proposals included extensive housing and employment options, leading to significant economic growth for the region.  It had been recognised previously that the East Midlands had lagged behind other areas of the country in terms of investment, and the Development Corporation would play a key role in re-energising the area.  It was important that Rushcliffe was involved in the process and the recommendations in the report reflected that.  The importance of this issue was recognised across both the Council and political parties and it was proposed to establish a Member Working Group to be regularly consulted on the progress of the Development Corporation over the next two years, during the interim delivery period. 

In seconding the proposal, Councillor Mason stated that she was pleased to see the Statement of Intent and the establishment of the Member Working Group.  The project would attract both national and international interest and investment and this was a very positive way forward, especially for the East Midlands, which in the past had suffered from under investment.  All partners on the project would need to work together as progress could not be achieved in isolation.

Councillor Robinson confirmed that the Government announcement that the HS2 project would be going ahead had removed the previous uncertainty, and would be welcomed by the Development Corporation.

Councillor Edyvean referred to the exciting opportunities ahead to bring strategic sites within the East Midlands together, and provide a major opportunity to address the historical lack of investment in the region. 

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the statement of intent prepared and approved by the Development Corporation Oversight Board be endorsed;

b)    Rushcliffe Borough Council’s involvement in the establishment of the Development Corporation and the required interim arrangements be supported;

c)    the potential budget impact of the interim arrangements be noted;  

d)    a Member Working Group be set up and be regularly consulted on the progress of the development corporation work over the next two years, during the period of the interim delivery vehicle; and

e)    the report be referred to Council on 5 March 2020 for endorsement.