Agenda and minutes

Prior to the meeting members of the Panel had a tour of the AMP and visited TWI.

The Chair of the Panel thanked everyone for the interesting and informative tour.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 12^th January, 2011.

(i)  Re:  Minute No. 95(1) Joint Scrutiny Review of the Council’s response to the severe winter weather

It was confirmed that the Panel had been established and that this review was about to commence.

(ii)  Re:  Minute No. 83 - Performance Indicators – it was confirmed that the report for the Third Quarter was now available and would be sent to members of the Panel for prior consideration.  The report would be included as an agenda item for the meeting of the Panel scheduled for 23^rd March, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record, and above comments noted.

It was explained that the company representative had been unable to attend due to an urgent business meeting.

Tim O’Connell and Simon Spode.

Paul Woodcock, Director of Regeneration and Planning introduced the concept behind the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

It was explained that the AMP was located in Rotherham.  However it had been developed through a joint approach with Yorkshire Forward, Sheffield City Council, together with collaboration and joint working with the University of Sheffield.

The concept began approximately 10 years ago.

The vision of the AMP was to encourage high end engineering, research and innovation companies and to this end difficult decisions had been made in respect of which companies had been accepted on to the park.  As an example warehousing and distribution had not been encouraged on the park. However many more interested companies had been able to locate elsewhere within the Borough on other business estates. 

It was explained that the development had been enabled by Yorkshire Forward and UK Coal, with funding from the European Union European Regional Development Fund.  The AMP was a Flag Ship project for the region and because of its location it was intended to be a hub to create a world class technology park and to transform the traditional manufacturing sector of the area.

Companies based at the Park were from a variety of backgrounds and were involved in many sectors, such as environmental technology, construction,  aerospace, automotive, defence and medical.

What was offered at the park?

-          Land

-          Provision for small start up companies or larger companies wanting a smaller presence adjacent to technology providers

-          The AMP Technology Centre provided:-  Café, conference and meeting facilities; Hot desking; Office and workshop spaces.  Currently 67% occupied – including Bromley Technologies Ltd (engineering design);  Bromley PES;  Fripp Design and Research;  TEKS

-          Evolution @ AMP:-  95,000 sq ft of industrial units – 70% of which were occupied and others in Legals.

Tenants included:-

•         TWI

•         Materialise – prototyping and additive manufacturing solutions.

•         University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC with Boeing) – worked with Messier-Dowty to secure a major contract to supply the landing gear for the new Boeing 787 aircraft.

•         Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (led by the University of Sheffield and Rolls Royce) – the centre of excellence for research and development of advanced manufacturing technologies that will deliver step change, lower cost, high integrity components to the UK nuclear industry.

•         Rolls Royce Factory of the Future – working on the aerospace industry and expanding to incorporate growth of the AMRC’s Composite Centre.

•         Advanced Structural Testing Centre (ASTC) – testing and certification services for the AMPC and its partners.

•         Knowledge Transfer Academy – to assist companies understand and implement new manufacturing technologies and techniques.

There were still plenty of development opportunities on the AMP.

Reference was made to the strategic location of the AMP with access to the M1, the Humber ports and Liverpool.  It was also explained that special arrangements had been made with the Highways Agency and highway engineers to enable large products to leave the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

Nichola Stretton, Finance Manager, to report.

-  to report on performance against the revenue budget for the            Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of December 2010 and to provide a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2010/11 financial year.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance Manager, detailing the performance against the revenue budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of December 2010 and to providing a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2010/11 financial year.

An explanation was given of the reasons for the current projected overspend. 

Key pressures were identified in:-

-          Office Accommodation

-          Land and Property Bank

-          Streetpride – as a result of the severe winter weather prior to Christmas 2010.  It was noted that the full draw down from the Winter Maintenance Reserve would be required.

It was also pointed out that any subsequent spell of cold weather could incur further costs and there may be costs incurred in follow-up services affected by the weather e.g. waste collection.

Resolved:-  That the current forecasted year end outturn position (an overspend of £101,000) for the Environment & Development Services Directorate based on expenditure and income as at December 2010 and forecast expenditure and income to 31st March 2011 be noted.

-          14^th January, 2011

-          28^th January, 2011

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held as follows:-

-          14^th January, 2011

-          28^th January, 2011

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

-          10^th January, 2011

-          24^th January, 2011

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres held as follows:-

-          10^th January, 2011

-          24^th January, 2011

Resolved:-  That the content of the minutes be noted.

-          10^th January, 2011

-          24^th January, 2011

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Environment held as follows:-

-          10^th January, 2011

-          24^th January, 2011

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.