Issue details

Low Carbon Across the South East (LOCASE)

 

 

The LOCASE project is an integrated programme of financial assistance and business support to increase demand for low carbon technology, increase efficiency and grow business in the low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) sector across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

 

The project is part funded by the European Structural Investment Fund (8,858,923), Private Sector (£9,000,000), Kent County Council (£134,377), Essex County Council (£166,715), Thurrock Council (£98,732), Southend Borough Council (£33,071), East Sussex County Council (£85,099) and the University of Brighton (£148,648).

 

  • A full options analysis was carried out and is detailed in the LOCASE Application Form. It considered and rejected the following alternative options:

 

Option (a): Do nothing – no ESIF investment

Option (b): Funding for STEM only – reduced ESIF investment

Option (c): Reduced cost LOCASE grant scheme – reduced ESIF investment

Option (d): Stagger core SME offering – delay in ESIF investment

 

·   How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

 

LOCASE directly delivers against Themes 1 and 2 of the Kent Environment Strategy which in turn delivers across the objectives and outcomes of KCC’s Strategic Statement. In particular, the aims and objectives of LOCASE have a direct correlation to the following supporting outcomes;

 

·   Kent business growth is supported by having access to a well skilled local workforce with improved transport, broadband and necessary infrastructure

 

·   All Kent’s communities benefit from economic growth and lower levels of deprivation

 

In turn LOCASE will meet the following Corporate Objective through its work in delivering against the priorities listed below of the Kent Environment Strategy;

 

KCC’s Corporate Objectives

Kent Environment Strategy Priority

Kent communities feel the benefits of economic growth by being in work, healthy and enjoying a good quality of life

Priority 6: Improve our resource efficiency, including energy and water

Priority 7: Ensure sustainable access and connectivity for businesses and communities

Priority 8: Influence future sustainable growth for the county of Kent

Priority 9: Improve the county of Kent’s environmental, social and economic resilience to environmental change

Priority 10: Supporting growth in the rural economy and low carbon and environmental services sector

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/02/2016

Department: Growth, Environment & Transport

Contact: Carolyn McKenzie, Sustainability and Climate Change Manager 03000 413419 and 03000 418827 Email: carolyn.mckenzie@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 221916.

Consultation process

Financial Implications:

Through matched staff time and the Council’s core budget, KCC would commit £134,377 towards delivery of the project over the 3 years of the project (March 2016 – February 2019. This will be found form the existing Sustainability Business and Communities budget. The project budget total is £18,525,565 million of which £9,000,000 is private sector match funding, £8,858,923 is made up from European Structural Investment Funds and £666,642 is public sector match funding made up as follows; Kent County Council (£134,377), Essex County Council (£166,715), Thurrock Council (£98,732), Southend Borough Council (£33,071), East Sussex County Council (£85,099) and the University of Brighton (£148,648).

 

Legal Implications:

To deliver the project and receive the ESIF funds, the Council must sign a Funding Agreement with DCLG setting out standard terms and conditions for the Council as Grant Recipient and DCLG as Managing Authority.

 

Equality Implications:

A full EqIA will be carried out so that the effect on groups with protected characteristics is identified and action taken to ensure discrimination is eliminated

 

Consultees

Consultation was undertaken throughout the development of the Outline and Full Application with partners across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.  In addition public consultation was held with SME’s from across SELEP following successful delivery of various ERDF projects. In addition a full EqIA will be completed upon receiving confirmation that funding is in place.

 

The proposed decision is due to be discussed at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee meeting on 11 March 2016.

 

LOCASE is a pan-SELEP bid with strategic cross-County priorities and will have an economic impact on all Electoral Divisions.  We would be happy to provide a briefing to any interested Members. 

 

It is planned, upon approval of the bid by the ESIF Committee, to circulate a paper to Kent Leaders to provide an overview of what LOCASE will deliver for Kent and the wider SELEP. This information will be widely circulated across District and Borough Councils through the Information Point bulletin.

Financial implications: Carolyn McKenzie (Head of Sustainable Business and Communities) 03000 413419 Carolyn.Mckenzie@kent.gov.uk Katie Stewart (Director Environment, Protection and Enforcement) 03000 418827 Katie.Stewart@kent.gov.uk

Legal implications: 16/00020

Decisions

Agenda items

Documents