Single Conversation Group Notes of the meeting held on Thursday 29 th June 2017 Conference Room, Brough Business Centre, Brough, East Yorkshire Attendees Peter Campey BEIS Chair Kishor Tailor Humber LEP Chris Haskins Humber LEP Mark Jones Hull City Council Alex Codd Hull City Council Mike Dugher Environment Agency Barrie Onions Angela Blake North Lincolnshire Council North East Lincolnshire Council Tony Maione Engie Lisa Jones Homes and Communities Agency Alan Menzies East Riding of Yorkshire Council Jeremy Pickles Richard Hall Andrew Hewitt Howard Kirke East Riding of Yorkshire Council Natural England Humber LEP Northern Powergrid David Walsh Historic England Apologies Sunny Ali Trevor Mitchell Lesley Potts Highway England Historic England North East Lincolnshire Council 1
2. Declaration of Interest None declared. 3. Notes of the last meeting and matters arising Point of accuracy No points of accuracy raised. Minutes were accepted as a true accurate record. Matters arising KT outlined that Agrimin who attended the last meeting have been asked to re-apply for Growing the Humber Funding. 4. Post General Election Update The Chair outlined the key ministerial changes which have occurred since the general election: BEIS DCLG Claire Perry (MP for Devizes) is now the Climate Change Minister and takes up the role of Humber Ministerial Local Growth Champion; -Former Northern Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy has stepped down and he has been replaced by Jake Berry (MP for Rossendale and Darwen); DEFRA Michael Gove is now the Minister for DEFRA. His PPS is now Kevin Hollinrake (MP for Thirsk and Malton). The impact of Brexit upon the future regulatory framework of the UK and its impact specifically for the Humber were discussed. It was noted that some parts of EU regulation are already transposed into UK Law and other elements (especially in the field of conservation) are drawn from International conventions, which also limits UK parliament s ability to alter this regulation. The impact of the current regulatory framework on the development of trade deals was discussed, both in terms of our framework but also how this interacts/compares with the regulatory frameworks of those countries we wish to sign trade deals with. There is a need to consult key companies in the Humber to assess the potential impact of regulatory change upon their business, especially; ABP, Phillips 66, and Cranswick Country Food. Action: KT and CH to commence discussions with these key companies. Action: Regulation to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting, to explore what specific issues might have an impact on the Humber and what responses to these may be required to highlight concerns. KT outlined that the Chair and Chief Executive of Natural England had visited the Humber and were impressed with the work which was being undertaken to ensure collaboration between the environmental and economic sectors in the Humber and noted the good work of the Single Conversation Group. 2
KT agreed to raise the awareness of the Single Conversation Group to other LEPs throught he LEP network. Action: KT to promote benefits of the Single Conversation Group 5. SHIIP project An in-depth update on the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme was delivered by Angela Blake and Tony Maione. The overall scheme ties in with the emerging North Lincolnshire Local Plan which aims to produce 8000 new jobs in the period up to 2032. The SHIIP project is key element in delivering this jobs growth. SHIIP will bring forward 95 ha of employment land and will enable 195ha of employment land. This will generate 3000 direct jobs. The project will also bring forward 120ha of strategic mitigation land. The key projects included in the SHIIP are; Stallingborough Strategic Employment Site Project; Strategic Ecological Mitigation Project; South Humber Bank Link Road Project and CATCH Energy Offshore. Stallingborough Strategic Employment Site Project is located at the interchange of the A180 and A1173, this project will create 64ha of high profile strategic employment site for business investment. The particular emphasis for this area will be ports and logistics due to its proximity to the port of Immingham. Phase 1&2 of the development will be fully serviced, including electricity, gas and water supply. The aim is to submit outline planning permission by end of July 2017, with construction starting on site in early 2018. The South Humber Bank Link Road project is a new strategic road link between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby by connecting Moody Lane, Grimsby with Hobson Way, Stallingborough. This will provide improved accessibility and business efficiency, as well as reducing increased traffic pressures on the A180 between Stallingborough Interchange and Pyewype. This facilitates access to future development land and South Humber Bank. The overall outputs include accelerated development of Enterprise Zones and connectivity between two major UK ports. It is targeted to go to planning in the summer of 2017 with construction in Spring 2018. The Strategic Ecological Mitigation project will unlock 200 ha of development land and provide 201 ha of wetland for protected wildlife. This will ensure that barriers to future development are reduced. KT noted that this project provided a positive balance sheet in terms of mitigation land which echoes the work being undertaken by the Compensation and Mitigation Plan update. An issue was raised around long term supply of water for these sites. Action: Similar updates will be requested from other Local Authorities at future meetings. 3
A discussion was held around need to develop strategic marketing of SHIIP with other EZ sites. Action: EZ working group to pick up this issue 6.Compensation & Mitigation Plan Update Jeremy Pickles of East Riding of Yorkshire Council attended the meeting to provide an update. A methodology has now been agreed and approved which will allow for a calculation to be made of the amount of compensation and mitigation land required around the Humber Estuary over the next 15 years. This methodology has been trialled successfully for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area using data collated and analysed by ABPmer in spring 2016. In order to complete this piece of work for the whole estuary, the data collated by ABPmer, which includes relevant planning applications and Local Plan allocations for each local authority area, must be brought up to date. It is proposed that for the North Bank this shall be undertaken by Hull City Council and East Riding, for the South Bank it is proposed that this work will be undertaken by ABPmer. Action Meeting required with South Bank Authorities to agree this approach. Once this has been completed, the methodology will be applied, producing a total figure, which will be presented to the Single Conversation Group in November 2017. The second element of this work was to produce a developer document which can be shared with investors who are investing within the Humber. A first draft of this work has been completed however it requires an edit to get it into the 20-30 page target size. Action All Partners to forward the most relevant contacts from within organisations who are best placed to contribute this work. Action Compensation & Mitigation Plan to be placed on the November agenda for the Single Conversation meeting for further update. 7. Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme Alex Codd of Hull City Council attended to provide feedback to the group on how the Single Conversation Group s joint working had successfully contributed to the purchase of land to support the mitigation of flooding in the area. The River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy set out measures to reduce flood risk to both residents and businesses in the River Hull and Holderness Drain catchment. One such scheme was constructing defences to alleviate flooding to east Hull alongside Holderness Drain. The options for flood mitigation in this area were limited due to the existing agricultural land uses and ownership. An opportunity was presented to Hull City Council by Natural England for combining a flood scheme with habitat creation and amenity as the land involved was for sale. The council pulled together a partnership of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Natural England, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency. The aims of the partnership are 4
to combine objectives to produce a multi benefit scheme on the outskirts of the city which reduces flood risk to property whilst creating publicly accessible ecological habitat. Each organisation has a strategy or objective such as; Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts - Hull Green Arc, Natural England s Biodiversity 2020 and Yorkshire Waters Living with Water vision s, the River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy, Local Plans and the Strategic Economic Plan for the Humber for the Local Authorities. These strategies all have the ultimate aim of creating a better environment for people and wildlife in terms of economic growth, reducing flood risk, and creating habitat, recreation and amenity. The purchase of the land therefore provided an opportunity for all the shared objectives to be met. The Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme is an example of where those aims and objectives can be combined to create multiple benefits and find efficiencies by organisations working on one infrastructure project rather than numerous individual projects. It is an example of delivery of the Living with Water concept that Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency are embedding with our long term strategy for the city. Phase I of the scheme involved securing the land purchase in-line with the seller s timescales. The purchase was required prior to the feasibility for phase II the construction of the scheme. As the land is designated as functional floodplain in Hull City Council s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment the use of the land is limited in terms of appropriate development. The land purchase completed on the 31 st March using LGF and FDGiA. This purchase gives the flexibility the partnership required to align priorities and timescales to create a multiple benefit project which will be the first of its kind in the country. The project to be used as a good example of the work undertaken by the Single Conversation Group. 8. Hull Local Plan Update Alex Codd of Hull City Council attended to update upon the progress of Hull City Council s Local Plan. Plan was submitted for examination in December 2016, public hearing started in March and ended in May. Hull City Council are currently consulting upon proposed modifications. The land allocated near the Deep for cruise terminal is in the Local Plan. The local plan outlines a housing requirement of 9,920 homes over a 15 year period, however due to the pro-growth stance of the plan, sites have been allocated for over 11,500 (not including windfall development). 105ha of employment land is allocated in the plan. This comprises a mix of leisure sites as well as more traditional industrial sites, such as those along Hedon Road etc. Target within the City Plan is to create 7,500 jobs over a ten year period. 5
The local plan outlines the city centre as having a key role is creating new homes, with sites outlined for delivery of 2,500 new homes. This greater residential offer in the city centre is targeted at stimulating Hull City Centre s evening economy. 9. Major Projects List Review Hedon Airfield (Yorkshire Energy Park) It was noted that a planning application had been submitted for this scheme. All agencies around the table re-asserted their willingness to continue dialogue with the promoters of the Hedon Energy Park, however concern was raised around a range of information which is still outstanding from the project promoters, including flooding, Natural England and Power Grid connections. These gaps in provided information are impeding decision making processes within statutory agencies. Action Humber LEP to contact project promoters to convey the seriousness of the outstanding information which is required in order for the statutory agencies to make a positive decision. Castle Street /A63 Hull City Council noted they have now reengaged with Highways England after purdah. The Chair noted that Highways England were not in attendance at this meeting and requested the LEP contact them to ensure a representative attends the next meeting of the single conversation group. Action- Humber LEP write to Highways England. Separate Bridge scheme now postponed until after 2017. Now to be completed as part of Castle St. Major scheme. Funding to carry out a separate scheme for Garrison Roundabout in advance of the Castle Street Scheme has been confirmed from Highways England s new Strategic Roads Pinch Point Fund. Concern was raised around the delay of delivering the footbridge to yr 4 of the project which is outside the timescales of LEP funding. All planning approvals are in place for the footbridge which could progress as a separate project. A proposal to support improvements around Stoneferry Roundabout has been submitted to the LEP for funding. River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy Alan Menzies outlined the constrained timeframes for moving semi-submerged boats on the River Hull, which is being driven by relocation of protected species by the end of September. Due to this he requested that permits submitted to statutory agencies are progress as quickly as is possible. Action: All Statutory agencies to assist. Burton Constable Radio 1 Event Alan Menzies offered his thanks to all statutory agencies for working together in order to enable the Radio 1 Big Weekend to take place at Burton Constable Hall. 50,000 visitors enjoyed the event over the weekend which was covered extensively by the BBC, providing a great amount of publicity for the Humber. 6
10. Any other business Promoting the work of the Single Conversation Group was discussed. It was agreed that there was a need to develop case studies as to how the single conversation group has assisted with developments. From these there will be a possible to review what the group can do better int he future. Action: Issues to be placed on future agenda once case studies have been completed. 11. Dates and time of the next meeting Thursday 31st August 2017, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Brough Business Centre, Skillings Lane, Brough, HU15 1EN Thursday 2nd November 2017, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Brough Business Centre, Skillings Lane, Brough, HU15 1EN Thursday 4th January 2018, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Brough Business Centre, Skillings Lane, Brough, HU15 1EN Thursday 1st March 2018, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Brough Business Centre, Skillings Lane, Brough, HU15 1EN 7