Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       To update Committee on recent progress, emerging infrastructure proposals within the Belfast City Council area and next steps on the development of a Belfast Region City Deal.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note;

·        the update on progress and the emerging infrastructure proposals

·        the next steps in the development of the Belfast City Region Proposition

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Members will be aware that a major programme to enable the development of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), in accordance with the requirements of the Department for Communities and Local Government, is now in full operation. There are now approximately 10 active workstreams working towards fulfilment of the requirements for the next major milestone in the City Deal process. This will involve, before the end of April 2018, the production of a further proposition paper providing detailed analysis of the region, its economy, emerging growth sectors and the case for investment in emerging projects.

3.2       The programme is being developed to fulfil the agreed objective for the BRCD of ‘more and better jobs; inclusive growth; improved skills and and growth of domestic business and FDI’.   Development of the programme based on the agreed pillars of infrastructure, innovation and skills is overseen by a Board comprising the Chief Executives of the six Councils in the Belfast Region and Ronan Cregan, Deputy Chief Executive, has been appointed as the SRO for the programme.  The Joint Engagement Forum, comprising Councillors from each of the BRCD partners met on 12 February and were updated on progress in developing the City Deal proposition. Councillors also had the opportunity to discuss the lessons learned during the Glasgow City Deal with Gordon Matheson the leader of Glasgow City Council when their City Deal was agreed. 

            Programme Update

3.4       In the past month key areas of progress include:

·        Production of the first draft of an industrial strategic framework;

·        Future City Catapult commencing work to develop a vision for digital infrastructure for the region and a series of costed digital infrastructure proposals that complement the wider City Region Deal bid;

·        Appointment of consultants to create a business case for investment in infrastructure for the Belfast Region;

·        Production of a specification for the development of Tourism Product Framework for the Region;

·        Qualitative assessment of potential infrastructure projects by KPMG;

·        Development of outline proposals by Queens University and Ulster University for innovation projects for potential inclusion in BRCD;

·        Development by Further Education Colleges and Council Partners of an outline proposition on an integrated programme for employability and skills;

·        In addition, to the work on the development of the BRCD proposition, Council Chief Executives and members of the Programme Team have continued to engage regularly with key partners, including officials from DCLG, the NIO, DfE, DoF and DfI to continue to build support for the Deal and to ensure that the proposition is developed in accordance with the requirements of financing partners. Representatives of the business sector and anchor institutions have also continued to be engaged both through local Economic Forums and by direct consultation on the development of specific workstreams, such as the workstreams on digital infrastructure and employability and skills.

            Emerging Infrastructure Proposals

3.6       A number of elements of the BRCD proposition, such as the programmes being developed in relation to Innovation, Digital Infrastructure and Employability and Skills will mainly be developed at a Belfast Region level. In relation in the infrastructure programme, which is likely to include proposals for tourism infrastructure, as well as transport and economic regeneration projects, Council partners have identified potential projects for inclusion, based on existing priorities identified in their Community Plans, Investment Strategies, Tourism and Economic Development Strategies. KPMG have been working with Councils to assess potential projects to ensure that they are suitable for inclusion in a City Deal in that there is the potential to deliver measurable benefits in relation to productivity, employment or inclusion which represent value for money for the level of investment proposed.

3.7       In relation to infrastructure proposals in Belfast, potential projects for inclusion include:

·        The Belfast Story- Anchor visitor attraction for the City which would tell the city’s story through music, art, literature, film and interactive experiences and incorporate exhibition space and a shared space for cultural, digital and media skills development. 

·        Belfast Rapid Transit phase 2- Linking the north & south of the city, providing vital links across a number of health facilities (Mater & City Hospitals) and Education Centres (QUB & UU).

·        Lagan Bridges and Links- investment in infrastructure and place-making to overcome key barriers to the city centre, which have been created by link roads, enabling inner city communities to benefit from investment in the city centre and enabling better connectivity across the Lagan.

·        Transport Hub phase 2 (Weavers Cross) -transport-led regeneration opportunity adjacent to the proposed £175m regional Transport Hub which aims to connect disadvantaged neighbourhoods into the economic opportunities of the city centre and related services and open spaces.

·        York Street Interchange- Replacement of the last signalised junction on the Trans-European Transport Network.

3.8       It is important to recognise that the value of the infrastructure projects being identified by Council partners has a value far in excess of even the level of financing that could be available through a £1billion BRCD. There are therefore a significant a number of steps, including discussions with DCLG and NI Government Departments on both financing and deliverability, still to be worked through in relation to the emerging infrastructure projects. Consideration will also to be given to how such infrastructure projects fit with the overall BRCD proposition.

3.8       It is also important to recognise that even in priority areas for investment such as tourism, financing through BRCD will only finance specific capital elements and will not necessarily fully deliver on our inclusion objectives without further investment. It is for this reason that The City Growth and Regeneration Committee has agreed to provide funding of £25 000 to test the viability of local tourism products, which could assist in delivering direct benefits in areas outside the City Centre.

            Next Steps

3.10     Councils will continue to consult with the NI Executive Departments to test the emerging project list and develop an updated proposition paper for discussion with DCLG at the end of April.  It is anticipated that further prioritisation will form part of this process as well as the need for more information to take projects forward including detailed financial modelling with funding streams and development of individual business cases.

            Financial & Resource Implications

3.11     Finance for the development of the Belfast City Region Deal has been included in the revenue estimates.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications

3.12     To be considered in preparation of Belfast City Region Deal.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.