Agenda and minutes
Royal Docks Enterprise Zone Programme Board (LEAP) - Tuesday 12 March 2019 11.00 am

1.1  The Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting.

1.2  Apologies for absence were received from Debbie Jackson and David Lunts.

Members to declare any interests which they have in any of the items set out on the agenda. Unless dispensation has been granted ahead of the meeting, Members may not participate in any matter in which they have a pecuniary interest.

Members are reminded to review their individual register of interests before each Board or Committee meeting, submitting any necessary revisions to the LEAP Secretariat. Even if a meeting has not taken place a Member must, within 28 clear working days of becoming aware of any change to their interests, provide written notification to the LEAP Secretariat of that change.

Member Register of Interest forms are published at lep.london/about/members.

2.1  There were no declarations of interest.

3.1  DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

4.1  The Board received a report on actions arising from previous meetings and an oral update was provided on outstanding actions.

4.2  It was noted that Cushman and Wakefield were pulling together a full review of the Royal Docks current business rate income forecasts based on the Royal Docks Development Partner’s current performance and a view of the market, including Brexit related implications. The Royal Docks Team should be able to provide an update at the next Board meeting.

4.3  It was noted that the Royal Docks Team were working with London Borough Newham to amend the Good Growth Fund brief for the Economy Strategy piece, ensuring that the baseline will inform objectives and that a robust assessment framework will be in place. The Royal Docks Team were in touch with individual bidders to inform them of a brief pause.

4.4  DECISION:

That the report on actions arising since the previous meeting be noted.

5.1  The Board received a paper and presentation on progress against the key development sites, Delivery Plan milestones and project delivery for 2018/19 and an update on the recruitment campaign.

5.2  The Board heard that the Royal Docks Team were working with Silvertown Quays (TSP) to develop a programme of meanwhile and interim uses on parts of their site. The Chair asked that the Royal Docks Team provide the Board with a picture of all the meanwhile spaces across the Royal Docks that were being proposed for interim uses. The Chair asked for this item to be brought back to the next meeting as a separate Agenda item.

  [Action: Daniel Bridge]

5.3  DECISIONS:

a)  That the review of all meanwhile spaces across the Royal Docks be added as an Agenda item for the next Board meeting; and

b)  That the paper be noted.

6.1  The Board received a paper and presentation on the Marketing, Communications Engagement Programme 2019/20.

6.2  Members were generally happy with the activities outlined but stated that costs associated with item 2 of the Marketing, Communications and Engagement Programme 2019/20 and associated business case were not sufficiently detailed.

6.3  Members discussed the importance of demonstrating impact and ensuring investment in marketing and communications is effectively targeted.

6.4  The Chair proposed that the endorsement of the £1,450,000 investment from the £14m Promotion budget to deliver the Communications, Marketing and Engagement Programme 2019/20 be postponed, subject to further information being supplied on the breakdown of costs and metrics for monitoring progress, impact and return on investment.

 [Action: Donna Lightbown]

6.5  The Chair confirmed that once the Board have received this information and were satisfied, the approval of the £1,450,000 investment from the £14m Promotion budget to deliver the Communications, Marketing and Engagement Programme 2019/20 could take place offline, via email.

6.6  Members noted that the proposed investment would still be subject to a further GLA approval, with the Executive Director – Housing and Land, GLA (David Lunts) needing to approve the endorsement also. The Chair requested that David Lunts discuss issues with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1  The Board received a paper and business case on 2019-20 Cultural Placemaking and Activation Programme.

7.2  Sarah Barrow, Creative Programmer, presented the 2019-20 Cultural Placemaking and Activation Programme, focussing on two key areas: Creative Delivery and Creative Development.

7.3  Members discussed the Dock Beach, noting the 2018 success and attendance levels, and reiterating the importance of this activity attracting local people.

7.4  The Chair requested that the Royal Docks Team ensure that Activation work dovetails with London Borough Newham. The Board heard that London Borough Newham were putting their Parks & Physical Activities Strategy and Sports Strategy to Cabinet soon and the Chair would ensure that Sarah Barrow is cited on this.

7.5  The Chair asked that the Royal Docks Team ensure that the lessons learnt from London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and the Olympic Park were incorporated into the Cultural Placemaking and Activation Programme.

7.6  DECISIONS:

(a)  That the Board noted the report and business case at Appendix A; and

(b)  That the Board endorsed the £1,997,500 investment from the £20.3m Activation budget to deliver on the 2019/20 Cultural Placemaking and Activation Programme, subject to further GLA approval.

8.1   The Board received a report setting out funding decisions made since the previous meeting.

8.2    Members queried the finance comments within the Funding Decisions Paper. Ray Smith, Senior Finance Manager explained that the Royal Docks team were projected to spend less than initially profiled for 2018-19, partly due to a slower recruitment campaign and confirmed that any underspend slippage would be carried forward into 2019-20. 

8.3  Members noted that Cushman and Wakefield (C&W) were carrying out a full review of the Royal Docks EZ business rate income forecasts based on the 4 existing income scenarios, Development Partner’s current performance and their view of the market, including Brexit related implications. Daniel Bridge, Royal Docks Programme Director confirmed that the next Board meeting would be used to review the work carried out by C&W in order inform future funding decisions.

8.4  The Chair requested that the Interim Director of Regeneration & Planning, LBN, liaised with the LBN Business Rates Collections Team to enhance the provision of Business Rate collection data pertaining to the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone. 

[Action: Elaine Elkington]

8.5  DECISIONS:

That the following funding decisions be noted:

a)  DD2297: Approval of up to £3,750,000 expenditure from the Connectivity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The next meeting of the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone Programme Board is

scheduled for 11.00am on 29 May 2019.

9.1  The next meeting was confirmed as 10.00am on Wednesday, 29 May 2019 at the Good Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock, Western Gateway, London E16 1FA

10.1 There was no other business.

11.1  The meeting closed at 12.22pm.