Agenda Document Pack - Enterprise and Fair Work Committee - 30/08/2024
North Lanarkshire Council · 30 August 2024
Back to Enterprise and Fair Work Committee — 30 August 2024 and its agenda
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21 August 2024 Members of the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Chief Executive’s Office Archie Aitken Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Meeting of the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Friday, 30 August 2024 at 10:00 AM which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Archie Aitken Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Members : Clerk Name: Clare Louise McDonald Clerk Telephone: 01698 302190 Clerk Email: mcdonaldcl@northlan.gov.uk A McVey, F McKay, A Bustard, D Crichton, G Currie, P Di Mascio, K Docherty, K Duffy, A Duffy-Lawson, H Dunbar, W Goldie, L Jarvie, J Leckie, F MacGregor, A Masterton, A McCrory, B McCulloch, M McPake, L Mitchell, L Nolan, L Roarty, G Robinson, R Sullivan, A Thomas, C Williams. Page 1 of 80
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Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 Operational 2 Business Gateway Performance Update Submit report by Chief Officer (Place) providing an update on the insourcing of the Business Gateway contract and an overview of the implementation of the new BG National Service Specification. 5 - 14 3 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and Performance Framework – Annual Progress Updates Submit report by Chief Officer (Place) providing an update on the progress being made towards the implementation and delivery of North Lanarkshire's Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and associated Action Plan. 15 - 58 4 City Deal Programme Update Submit report by Chief Officer (Place) providing an update on the changes to the City Deal Programme. 59 - 70 5 Re-appointment of Category B Directors - Routes to Work Ltd Submit report by Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) seeking approval to re-appointment the four Category B directors to the Board of Directors of Routes to Work Limited. 71 - 76 Contracts 6 Contract Awards Below Committee Approval Threshold Submit report by Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) acknowledging the contract awards made since the last committee reporting cycle. 77 - 80 Page 3 of 80
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref YW/PH Date 30/08/24 Business Gateway Performance Update From Pamela Humphries, Chief Officer (Place) E-mail weiry@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Yvonne Weir 07508 001238 Executive Summary North Lanarkshire Council has managed the delivery of Business Gateway Services on behalf of both North and South Lanarkshire Councils since 1 April 2008. Between April 2008 and February 2024, the service has been delivered through outsourced contracts. Following an options appraisal carried out during 2023, both Councils obtained Committee approval to insource the service with effect from 1 March 2024 with North Lanarkshire Council delivering the service on behalf of both Councils. This report provides an overview of the positive performance of the final Lanarkshire Business Gateway outsourced contract, which was delivered by Enterprise North East Trust Ltd., trading as Elevator (Elevator), during the period 1st March 2021 to 29th February 2024. The report also provides an update on the insourcing of the Business Gateway contract and gives an overview of the implementation of the new BG National Service Specification which was outlined at the February 2024 meeting of the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee. Recommendations It is recommended that the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee: (1) Acknowledges the final outturn of the Business Gateway contract to 29 February 2024; (2) Acknowledges that the Business Gateway Lanarkshire service is now being delivered via an inhouse model and acknowledges the update on the new service specification that is now being delivered across Lanarkshire The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (5) Grow and improve the sustainability and diversity of North Lanarkshire's economy Programme of Work Brighter Futures Item 2 Page 5 of 80
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1. Background 1.1 Business Gateway is a publicly funded service delivered through Scottish Local Authorities providing access to free business support / impartial advice to start-up and existing businesses in Scotland. Business Gateway has an important role to play in promoting an entrepreneurial culture within Scotland and stimulating awareness of, and demand for, business support services (both public and private sector) among Scotland’s business base. 1.2 Business Gateway has the following service objectives: • Support more people with their ambitions to start a business; • Support more businesses to survive and achieve their growth ambitions • Support more people with their aspirations for high business growth; and, • Support more people from underrepresented groups to access mainstream business support. 1.3 Underpinning the service objectives there is a commitment to providing support across a number of themes such as Carbon Reduction, Fair Work, Innovation, Internationalisation, Digital Upskilling, Community Wealth Building, and Job Creation. 1.4 The nature and intensity of the support provided will be determined by client needs and ambitions, and the potential for economic impact, hence the expectation that those offering higher growth potential will typically receive more intensive support. 1.5 The Business Gateway Service directly supports the Plan for North Lanarkshire Council, supporting the development of an entrepreneurial culture, and supporting the establishment, sustainability and growth of businesses. 2. Report Business Gateway Performance: 1st March 2021 to 29th February 2024 2.1 The Business Gateway Lanarkshire service during the period of the former contract had two key service areas: firstly, to support pre-start and new businesses trading less than 12 months and secondly, to support existing businesses. The overarching aim of the support was to increase the number of businesses per capita in Lanarkshire, increase the productivity and outputs of Lanarkshire businesses, help them to access new markets, introduce innovation, and ultimately create more and better paid jobs for Lanarkshire residents. 2.2 Services to support new businesses included one-to-one advice and support from a dedicated business adviser, access to training workshops and webinars, market research and online resources to help businesses successfully commence trading. The table below outlines the number of client enquiries and new businesses supported during the contract period 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2024, against the minimum targets set in the contract: Number Supported % To target Achieved North Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Client Enquiries 9,119 N/A 4,451 4,668 New Business Starts 2996 99.87% 1526 1470 Page 6 of 80
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2.3 During the 3-year contract period, 2,996 new start businesses were supported through the service. This was against a target of 3000. 2.4 Services to support existing businesses were delivered through the existing and growing business service, which had three different strands: • Early Stage Growth: for new businesses that had early growth potential. • Business Boost: for existing businesses that had modest growth potential. • Growth Advisory Service: for existing businesses that had high growth potential. 2.5 The support provided was tailored to meet individual circumstances and would typically include: one-to-one advice and support from a dedicated business advisor to help businesses create an action plan for growth, access to expert surgeries, accelerator programmes, workshops and up to 21 hours of expert support from a qualified consultant on a wide range of business topics including Finance, HR, Digital Development, Innovation, Procurement and Marketing. 2.6 The following table outlines the intensive support provided to growth businesses during the contract period against the minimum targets set in the contract: Support Service Number of Businesses Supported % To target Achieved North Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Early Stage Growth 290 97% 136 154 Business Boost 331 110% 143 188 Growth Advisory Service 609 102% 288 321 2.7 A total of 1,230 businesses received intensive support through the existing and growing business service during the period of the 2021 - 2024 contract. This was against a target of 1,200. 2.8 In addition to the above, during the 3-year contract period, the following additional outputs and outcomes were achieved: • 651 starts were projected to trade in excess of the VAT threshold within 12-18 months against a target of 1200 (54%) • 246 locally delivered start up workshops were attended by 1763 participants • 244 locally delivered existing business workshops were attended by 1479 participants • 3,966 hours of ad hoc support was provided to local businesses against a target of 4,200 (94%) • 351 expert surgery sessions were delivered • 2,369 businesses operating in local key sectors were supported against a target of 2,550 (93%) • 732 existing businesses engaged with Business Gateway for the first time against a target of 600 (122%) • 1,411 businesses supported employed people under 25 years old against a target of 1,500 (94%) • 1,179 business supported operated in areas of deprivation against a target of 300 (393%) Page 7 of 80
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Financial Performance Update 2.9 The total cumulative spend for the contract period 1st March 2021 to 28th February 2024 was £3,344,942 against a total available budget of £3,449,772. The core reason for the underspend of £104,830 was the decision not to spend the discretionary innovation budget in year 2023/24. It was jointly agreed between NLC and SLC that the funds would be used to support the cost of transitioning the service to an inhouse model. Quality / Customer Satisfaction Performance 2.10 To monitor the local and national customer satisfaction rates, the Business Gateway National Unit in CoSLA instruct an independent quarterly satisfaction survey. This is issued to clients that have been supported through the service. 2.11 The client satisfaction results averaged over the duration of the 3 years of the contract are detailed in the following table with the national target of 80% exceeded across all measures. Target North Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Overall Satisfaction (Extremely satisfied, very satisfied or satisfied) 80% 82.46% 86.92% Service Met Expectations (Met or exceeded expectations) 80% 84.20% 83.96% Benefit the business will gain from service received (All saying yes, support will be beneficial – excluding those who report it is ‘too early to say’) 80% 88.34% 87.48% Would recommend Business Gateway (Definitely or probably) 80% 85.06% 88.15% Insourcing of the Business Gateway Lanarkshire Service and Implementation of the New National Service Specification 2.12 In accordance with the options appraisal to consider future service delivery options, which was undertaken in 2023 and subsequent committee approval, the Business Gateway contract that had been held by Enterprise North East Trust Ltd was concluded on 29th February 2024, with service delivery subsequently taken inhouse by North Lanarkshire Council. 2.13 The insourcing of the Lanarkshire Business Gateway Service contract gave rise to a relevant transfer under the Transfer of undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). On 1st March 2024, 20 members of staff previously employed by Enterprise North East Trust Ltd were transferred to North Lanarkshire Council. Page 8 of 80
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2.14 The team is based at Dalziel House, Motherwell in a large open plan office which is shared with North Lanarkshire Properties. The building has bookable meeting rooms and a training room which are used by advisers for client meetings and delivery of training workshops. 2.15 After an initial period of familiarisation with council systems, processes, procedures, and mandatory training modules, all members of the team are now settled into their new working arrangements with North Lanarkshire Council. 2.16 The top priority for the team is to continue to deliver a high-quality Business Gateway service. However, the intention is to change the geographic location of delivery by having advisers engage with clients in their local area, rather than have clients travel to a central location. Work is currently ongoing to identify suitable outreach locations in both North and South Lanarkshire and outreach activities have already been held in a range of areas including: The Job Centre and Broadwood Hub, Cumbernauld; Routes to Work South, Cambuslang; The Hive, Airdrie; EK Collective, East Kilbride; WATIF, Loanhead Farm; SLC Headquarters, Hamilton and Motherwell Library. 2.17 A further priority for the service is to develop relationships between Business Gateway and the other council departments that have business facing responsibilities across both councils. A series of meet the team sessions have already taken place and more are planned over the coming months. In addition, ongoing engagement and sessions have been taking place with external stakeholders. 2.18 The focus for the new service sees a move away from a contractual target driven approach in favour of enabling advisers to have closer engagement and spend more time with clients that have growth ambition and the potential for it to be realised. 2.19 To support this approach a new system of client classification has been introduced and there will be a focus on assessing the outcomes and impacts as a result of the support provided, rather than the number of “activities” delivered. Work is underway to develop a process to gather, record, analyse and measure the information to best understand these outcomes and impacts. 2.20 The new service specification will also involve the introduction of an aftercare service which will be designed to improve the survivability of new start businesses. The details of how this service will be delivered have still to be developed by the Business Gateway National Unit. However, consideration is currently being given as to how aftercare provision could be introduced in Lanarkshire, rather than wait for direction to be given by Business Gateway National. 2.21 In addition to the nationally recognised objectives for Business Gateway, the following initial local objectives and priority customers have been identified aligned to both councils’ priorities, plans and strategies: • Increase the reach of Lanarkshire Business Gateway across all communities including a renewed focus and take-up of services from residents from rural communities and priority SIMD areas • Increase take-up of Lanarkshire Business Gateway services from under-represented groups including long-term unemployed, economically inactive residents, carers, young people, BAME, disabled people, restorative justice/offenders • Increase focus and take-up of Lanarkshire Business Gateway services from Social Enterprises, employee-owned businesses and co-operatives Page 9 of 80
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• Inspire and increase engagement and take-up of services by young people focussing on enterprise pathways in schools, college (New College Lanarkshire/South Lanarkshire College), UWS, youth groups • Working alongside sectoral plans provide Business Gateway services to key sectors including construction, food and drink, creative industries, energy sector, manufacturing/engineering services, tourism, transport & logistics • Delivery of support to town centre businesses to support North Lanarkshire/South Lanarkshire town centre action plans • Increase engagement with non-engaged businesses • Businesses who require additional support to survive 3. Measures of success 3.1 Delivery of an insourced operating model and approach will ensure Business Gateway services are fully aligned and integrated with other council business-facing services. Being aligned with the Plan for North Lanarkshire and Programmes of Work, along with associated South Lanarkshire Council plans and services and within the available budget envelope, to meet all performance and quality standards. 3.2 As well as local measures of success, a new Performance Measurement Framework is being put in place nationally for Business Gateway which will include: • Input Measures: resources committed to Business Gateway services (financial and human resources); • Activity Measures: number of enquiries received, appointments, phone calls, letters and emails completed, number of defined products delivered, number of referrals made (internal and external partners), category referrals completed, research requests made to the National Enquiry Service, aftercare activity and number of event attendees are uploaded to the BG Datawarehouse ultimately allowing a calculation of the number of unique clients supported. • Output Measures: number of businesses achieving a growth category (formerly segmentation); number of completed action plans (including cross cutting themes, for example sustainability, exporting, innovation, fair work which will provide a degree of flexibility to meet changing economic priorities). • Outcome/Impact Measures: number of viable new business starts; improved survival rates of new businesses; tracking employment in supported businesses; level of business ambitions met. 3.3 As the focus for the new Business Gateway Service is for advisers to spend more time working with clients that have growth potential and that the Performance Measurement Framework is substantially different from what has gone before, an initial set of performance targets for the first year of in-house delivery; April 2024 to March 2025, has been developed to reflect the new circumstances, as follows: • Pre-Start Clients Supported 2000 • New Business Starts 750 • New Business+ Starts 200 • Local Priority Projects 150 • BG Growth Projects 150 • Business Base 700 Page 10 of 80
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These proposed targets will remain under review during the first year of delivery. 3.4 The quality of service delivery will continue to be measured by an independent third party. The target will continue at 80% across the 4 key quality areas: Overall Satisfaction, Expectations Met, Business Benefits, and Recommend Service. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 There are no supporting documents. Pamela Humphries Chief Officer (Place) Page 11 of 80
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Business Gateway Services is a free service which is open and accessible to all. The Service seeks to support individuals to become self-employed, set-up in business, and support existing businesses to sustain existing jobs and to grow creating more local employment opportunities and jobs for local residents. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The insourced Lanarkshire Business Gateway service is being delivered within its approved budget of £1.15m per annum. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The insourcing of the Lanarkshire Business Gateway service included the TUPE transfer of 20 individuals into North Lanarkshire Council. The transfer was supported by People Resources and Legal and Democratic Services. 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Page 12 of 80
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Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The promotion and marketing of the Lanarkshire Business Gateway Service is undertaken through a range of mediums including online, through social media including video content, by email, events/workshops, networking and via the publication of case studies. The service also complies with Business Gateway National marketing and branding guidelines. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? The risks associated with Service have been assessed and recorded in the council’s Corporate Risk Register. A series of controls are in place to manage and mitigate the risks and these are monitored on a regular basis. The key risks are: • that the service is not delivered in line with the expectations of North and South Lanarkshire Councils, local and national stakeholders • that service delivery does not meet the expectations of individuals and businesses that the service supports • that the service fails to provide a consistently high quality of advice to clients and fails to meet targets. The impact of these risks are that there would be fewer businesses set-up and growing across Lanarkshire and also a reputational risk for Business Gateway in Lanarkshire. Page 13 of 80
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5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. Consideration will be given to the development and delivery of Business Start Up workshops specifically aimed at ex-service personnel. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 14 of 80
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise & Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref MH/PH Date 31/08/24 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and Performance Framework – Annual Progress Updates From Pamela Humphries, Chief Officer (Place) E-mail hyndsm@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Mark Hynds, 07583 023248 Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to update committee on the progress being made towards the implementation and delivery of North Lanarkshire’s Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) and associated Action Plan. The Action Plan is updated annually, and this progress report details activity as at financial year end 2023/24. This report also presents the latest ERDP Performance Framework update which is used to monitor wider ERDP performance over the short, medium and longer term (through to 2035). Unlike the ERDP Action Plan, figures within the Performance Framework are reported on a cumulative basis to show the progress against the longer-term ambitions of the ERDP. Recommendations It is recommended that the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee: (1) Consider the content of this report and progress made towards the delivery of the 2023/24 ERDP Action Plan, which was approved by Enterprise & Fair Work Committee in February 2023. (2) Acknowledge the wider progress and performance against the ERDP 2019-2023, 2023-2028 and beyond. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (2) Refocus our town centres and communities to be multi- functional connected places which maximise social, economic, and environmental opportunities Programme of Work Transforming Places Item 3 Page 15 of 80
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1. Background 1.1 The ERDP aims to help co-ordinate physical and economic regeneration activity across North Lanarkshire, increase economic output and help address social and economic inequality. 1.2 The Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) was initially approved by the Enterprise and Growth Committee in August 2019, covering the period 2019-2023. A light-touch refreshed ERDP, covering the period 2023-2028, was then approved by Enterprise and Fair Work Committee in February 2023. 1.3 Since 2019, an Action Plan to support the delivery of the ERDP through a range of key measures and investment programmes has also been produced and approved each year by committee. The Action Plan sets the priorities for the financial year ahead, reflecting progress made to date and the evolving priorities of the council. 1.4 The 2023/24 Action Plan was approved by Enterprise and Fair Work Committee in February 2023 and the current 2024/25 ERDP Action Plan was approved in February 2024. 1.5 An accompanying ERDP Performance Framework was approved by Enterprise and Growth Committee in February 2021. This comprises of a group of performance indicators at three levels. These indicators aim to collectively provide an overview of how the North Lanarkshire economy is performing as well as helping us to understand the impact that the delivery of the ERDP is having on improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all. 2. Report 2.1 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan 2023-2028 2.1.1 The refreshed ERDP continues to focus on the same four key inter-related themes as the 2019-23 plan: • Developing housing that promotes improved quality of life and creates a better place to live; • Reshaping our town centres to ensure that these provide modern and attractive centres that meet the needs of our communities; • Improving our business and industrial infrastructure, creating opportunities for investment and for companies to start-up or relocate here; and • Continuing to improve our connectivity and develop new opportunities by transforming our road, rail and digital infrastructure. 2.1.2 To support the delivery of these objectives, annual ERDP Action Plans have been developed each financial year since 2019/20. 2.2 2023/24 Action Plan – Performance Review 2.2.1 Appendix 1 provides an update on the ERDP Action Plan objectives and targets achieved during 2023/24. 2.2.2 Good progress continues to be made against the ERDP’s key objectives with highlights during 2023/24 including: • The delivery of an additional 335 new build council homes via the New Supply Page 16 of 80
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• Programme, as well as a further 126 Open Market/Empty Homes Purchase Scheme completions, taking total completions to 2,104 by 31 March 2024 (including Open Market Purchase Scheme); • Committee approval of Town Action Plans (TAPs) for Airdrie, Motherwell and Wishaw in November 2023 with a second phase of TAPs produced and publicly consulted on for Bellshill, Kilsyth and Shotts during 2023/24 (which were subsequently approved in May 2024); • The acquisition of The Centre Cumbernauld in June 2023, following £9.225m secured from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, marking a major milestone in the redevelopment of Cumbernauld town centre; • Springhill Community Hub, managed by Getting Better Together Shotts, officially opened in September 2023; • The council secured £150k funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland to develop plans for the heritage led regeneration of Airdrie town centre, the Rediscovering Airdrie project; • Fusion Assets remediated 2.55 hectares of land at Plot 1, Ravenscraig; • Significant progress was made on the delivery of City Deal projects, such as the Ravenscraig Access infrastructure with the West Coast Mainline crossing rail bridge installed at Ravenscraig in April 2023; • A consultant team was appointed to commence detailed design works for the East Airdrie Link Road; • Considerable progress has been made to migrate the last remaining sites across to the new fibre CommsWorld network, with 96% of sites currently connected. 2.3 ERDP Performance Framework 2.3.1 The ERDP Performance Framework also highlights significant progress in improving economic opportunities and outcomes for North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses. Highlights achieved as at 31 March 2024, included: • 1,351 new build council homes complete • 753 homes brought into council ownership via the Open Market Purchase Scheme, including some homes previously sold under the Right to Buy. • £92 million invested in town centre (including edge of town) developments, of which around £44 million was secured via external funding sources. • Town Visions created for all eight North Lanarkshire towns; • Town Action Plans (TAPs) approved for Airdrie, Motherwell and Wishaw (November 2023) • TAPs were developed for Bellshill, Kilsyth and Shotts (and subsequently approved in 2024/25). • 1,692 new affordable town centre homes completed (including edge of town sites) by the council and housing associations. This includes developments across most of our towns with completed sites including Caledonian Avenue (Bellshill), Berryhill Road (Cumbernauld), 95 Main Street (Kilsyth) and Roberts Street (Wishaw) amongst others. • 132,910 sq.ft of business and industrial workspace created or refurbished as a result of investment by NLC, Fusion Assets and North Lanarkshire Properties (NLP). • £55.16m (TBC) invested in key road infrastructure projects funded via NLC and the Glasgow City Region City Deal Page 17 of 80
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3. Measures of success 3.1 The purpose of this report is to highlight the key actions, targets and indicators that are used to measure and monitor the delivery of the ERDP through the ERDP Action Plan and Performance Framework. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) Action Plan 2023/24 – End-Year Performance Report 4.2 Appendix 2 ERDP Performance Framework (June 2024) Pamela Humphries Chief Officer (Place) Page 18 of 80
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Page 19 of 80
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Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Risks are recorded and managed within Corporate Risk Register. Key risk is failure to deliver on the ERDP and its objectives of helping co-ordinate physical and economic regeneration activity across North Lanarkshire, increasing economic output and helping address social and economic inequality. This would result in the loss of additional economic and social benefits to residents and business across North Lanarkshire and significant reputational damage to the Council given the widespread public nature of the programme. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 20 of 80
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Appendix 1 ERDP Action Plan 2023/24 End-Year Performance Report Page 21 of 80
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Theme: Live ERDP Priority 1: Developing housing that promotes improved quality of life and creates a better place to live Ref ERDP Action 2023-24 Target What we achieved (2023-24) RAG 1.1 Deliver new build housing via NLC’s New Supply Programme Complete 276 new build council homes during 2023/24 335 new build council homes completed during 2023/24. As at end of 2023/24, 1,351 new build council homes have been completed. A further 279 homes are currently under construction. G 1.2 Bring homes into council ownership via NLC’s Open Market /Empty Homes Purchase Schemes, including homes previously bought under the Right to Buy scheme 75 Open Market /Empty Homes Purchase Scheme completions during 2023/24 126 Open Market/Empty Homes Purchase Scheme completions during 2023/24. G 1.3 Enable the private sector to support the delivery of the New Supply Programme, via off the shelf purchases. Progress the delivery of a further 50 new build acquisitions during 2023/24. A total of 82 affordable homes delivered on mixed tenure sites via private developers in 2023/24. A further five projects, with a total of 76 homes, due to be delivered via off the shelf purchases in 2024/25. G 1.4 Prepare and support the delivery of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) Prepare the 2024/25 SHIP which will identify sites to meet Local Housing Strategy priorities and maximises the use of available Scottish Government grant funding. Support the delivery of sites within the current 2023/24 SHIP. SHIP (2024/25 ‐ 2028/29) formally approved and published on NLC website. SHIP (2025/26) currently being developed. Due for submission by 30 October 2024. G Page 22 of 80
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Theme: Invest ERDP Priority 2: Reshaping our town centres to ensure that they provide modern and attractive centres that meet the needs of our communities Ref ERDP Action 2023-24 Target What we achieved (2023-24) RAG 2.1 Co-produce a series of Town Action Plans with local communities to enable the realisation of the Town Visions Finalise the first four Town Action Plans in Airdrie, Cumbernauld, Motherwell and Wishaw. Town Action Plans for Bellshill, Coatbridge, Kilsyth and Shotts in development for completion mid- 2024. Following a period of public consultation, Town Action Plans for Airdrie, Motherwell and Wishaw were approved by Enterprise & Fair Work Committee in November 2023. Enterprise & Fair Work Committee (Nov 2023) also approved that a Masterplan would be developed for Cumbernauld, rather than a Town Action Plan. This is to reflect the scale of the regeneration activity that will be required following the proposed demolition of The Centre Cumbernauld. Town Action Plans for Bellshill, Kilsyth and Shotts were developed, following public consultation, and approved by Enterprise & Fair Work Committee in May 2024. A long-term plan for Coatbridge, aligned to the Town Vision, will be developed during 2024/25 to secure and draw down the first tranche of the £19.5 million allocated to Coatbridge over the next 10 years from the UK Government. G 2.2 Develop a sense of place by protecting, repurposing or redeveloping vacant, derelict or unused priority buildings and sites within our town centres and investing in town centre regeneration activity Continue to engage with local property/landowners with a view to acquiring key town centre properties/sites earmarked for conversion/improvement. Officers continued to engage with property/landowners during 2023-24 with a view to acquire key properties and parcels of land across various towns such as Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Motherwell. Some of these negotiations are currently ongoing. The council acquired The Centre Cumbernauld in June 2023, a major milestone for the proposed regeneration of Cumbernauld town centre. G 2.3 Deliver or support the delivery of 52 new affordable homes within 29 affordable homes were delivered by Clyde Valley Housing Association at Parkfoot Street Kilsyth. When targets were set, this A Page 23 of 80
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that will support the delivery of the Town Visions our town centres (including edge of town) during 2023/24 development had been estimated to deliver 32 units, in line with the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). The completion of the redevelopment of the former Orrs building at South Bridge Street, Airdrie was delayed slightly. However, this did complete in May 2024. NLC acquired 20 new build units which were delivered as an off-the shelf purchase as part of the New Supply Programme. 2.4 Support new investment in North Lanarkshire’s town centres Deliver the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme allocation for 2023/24. NLC was allocated £1.698m via the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme for 2023/24. This was fully contractually committed. Projects that benefited from PBIP funding during 2023/24 include Glenmanor Greenspace (Moodiesburn); 28 Hamilton Road (Motherwell); Braidhurst Industrial Estate (Motherwell); Strathclyde Park (feasibility works) and Motherwell Station active travel route. G 2.5 Engage with local community organisations to enable applications to third party regeneration funds, where appropriate. Continue to support 2 existing community led projects funded under previous RCGF rounds. Submit bids to any relevant regeneration challenge funds announced by the UK Government, Scottish Government, or other relevant external funding bodies. The council invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from local community groups and third sector organisations during 2023/24 to explore and develop project ideas which may be eligible for Scottish Government funding via the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP). Applications were made to both of these Funds. However, the Scottish Government advised that these programmes have been paused during 2024/25 due to budget constraints. Getting Better Together Shotts was awarded funding from the previous round of RCGF to develop the Springhill Community Hub and the Growth Team supported this community led project to be delivered. The Springhill Community Hub officially opened in September 2023, providing accommodation for community groups G Page 24 of 80
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and clubs, as well as meeting space, an outdoor play area and a cycle pump track. Other community led projects (Reeltime and The Well Hub) funded under previous RCGF rounds were also supported and continued to progress. The Growth Team submitted a funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and was awarded £150k to develop plans for the Rediscovering Airdrie project which focuses on the heritage led regeneration of Airdrie. Theme: Work ERDP Priority 3: Improve our business and industrial infrastructure, creating opportunity for investment and for companies to start-up or relocate here Ref ERDP Action 2023-24 Target What we achieved (2023-24) RAG 3.1 Improve the provision of high-quality business and industrial space either directly or through our ALEOs or Joint Ventures NLC and Fusion Assets to invest a minimum of £2.3m in key business and industrial projects. NLC and ALEO funding only. Fusion Assets invested £1.3m of its own capital on the construction of Building 2 at Link Park, Newhouse during 2023 - 2024. Around £2.8m council capital funding has been allocated to the Braidhurst Industrial Estate regeneration project. However, this will be spent in 2024/25 as external funding was secured and invested into this project during 2023/24 instead. A 3.2 £3.45m external funding (including private sector funding) to be secured by NLC/Fusion Assets for business and industrial infrastructure in 2023/24. NLC and Fusion Assets secured and invested £4.95m external funding in key business and industry projects during 2023/24, including: £656k of Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) monies were invested in a second phase of enabling works at Link Park, Newhouse and £1.9m in an initial phase of enabling works at Ravenscraig during 2023 - 2024. G Page 25 of 80
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Fusion Assets also invested £427k of VDLF at Condor Park, Eurocentral. These works were later completed in May 2024. Braidhurst – £628k Scottish Government Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) monies spent on design team fees, surveys, utility connections and statutory fees and £1.16m Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Funding spent on construction works during 2023/24 only. Works are continuing and further investment will be made during 2024/25. £182k was also invested from Scottish Government’s PBIP in refurbishing a retail unit at 28 Hamilton Road, Motherwell. This project has since completed during 2024/25. 3.3 2.0ha of land to be remediated or improved (by NLC or Fusion Assets) for business and industry use in 2023/24. Fusion Assets remediated 2.55 hectares of land at Plot 1, Ravenscraig during 2023/24. G 3.4 16,500 sq.ft of business and industrial workspace to be created or refurbished by NLC, Fusion Assets and North Lanarkshire Properties (NLP) in 2023/24. Fusion Assets completed the construction of a new 15,500 sq.ft, net zero carbon enabled, industrial building at Link Park, Newhouse during 2023/24. Works progressed to develop 10,300 sq.ft of new workspace and upgrade 17,000 sq.ft of existing NLP owned units at Braidhurst Industrial Estate which is scheduled to complete during 2024/25. Works also progressed on 28 Hamilton Road, Motherwell to refurbish 448 sq.ft of retail floorspace at this key site at the entrance to Motherwell town centre. This project has since completed during 2024/25. A Page 26 of 80
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3.5 Ensure our investment opportunities deliver economic opportunities and outcomes for all Progress delivery of a regeneration scheme for Braidhurst Industrial Estate, including the provision of new start-up units and refurbishment of existing units owned by North Lanarkshire Properties. A works contractor was appointed in October 2023 to deliver the regeneration of Braidhurst Industrial Estate. Works are currently underway and are scheduled for completion in 2024/25. This project is expected to deliver 10 new build business start-up units and the refurbishment of 6 existing NLP owned units as well as environmental and general infrastructure improvements throughout the estate. G 3.6 Develop a Business and Industry Strategy in line with investment opportunities, site prioritisation and future market demand. This action has been carried forward to the 2024/25 ERDP Action Plan. A business and industry strategy and accompanying action plan will be developed to form part of the evidence base for the next Local Development Plan. This development work is currently underway. A Theme: Invest ERDP Priority 4: Improve our connectivity and develop new opportunities by transforming our road, rail and digital infrastructure Ref ERDP Action 2023-24 Target What we achieved (2023-24) RAG 4.1a Continue to deliver the City Deal Programme Continue to progress delivery of Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure to support the redevelopment of Ravenscraig and connect the M74 to M8 as part of Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor. Complete West Coast Mainline Crossing. The West Coast Mainline crossing is now completed and in place. G 4.1b Full Business Case (FBC) approval for the Motherwell to Ravenscraig access (new roundabout at Airbles Road/Windmillhill Street junction; dual carriageway from the junction Additional design work was required on the drainage design for the new access road, which resulted in a revised procurement and delivery strategy being developed which in turn has delayed the submission of the Full Business Case. A Page 27 of 80
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to Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. 4.1c Commence construction of Motherwell to Ravenscraig access Refer to update above (4.1b). A 4.2a Continue to progress delivery of the East Airdrie Link Road (EALR). Procure and appoint consultant team for Stage 3 (Detailed Design and Planning Application). Procurement for the DMRB Stage 3 consultants has been concluded with a consultant team appointed in Q4 23/24. G 4.2b East Airdrie Link Road - Commence detailed design. The consultant appointed to progress the East Airdrie Link Road DMRB Stage 3 commission commenced in Q4 24/25 on route design review and preliminary design. G 4.3 Improve Motherwell Town Centre transport interchange to support active and sustainable travel. Complete works at Motherwell Rail Station (ScotRail) and Muir Street (NLC) during 2023/24. The Muir Street Interchange contract and Motherwell Rail Station contracts were completed in May 2023 and June 2023 respectively. Discussions are continuing with the contractor on defects correction and final account resolution. G 4.4a Full Business Case (FBC) approval for the Orchard Farm Roundabout. The delivery of this project is being led by a private sector partnership, with a £2m contribution of the capital costs to be made from the City Deal programme, subject to finalisation of a funding agreement and confirmation from the partnership of the full construction funding package being in place. Progress stalled over 23/24 financial year, both on conclusion of the funding agreement and progression of tender action by the private sector partnership, due to longer than anticipated technical R Page 28 of 80
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approval timescales and funding assembly issues. This has delayed submission of the FBC. The revised target date for submission is now summer 2025. 4.4b Appointment of contractor to deliver the Orchard Farm Roundabout to support the development of key business and industrial sites on the A8/M8 corridor. Refer to update above. The revised target date for appointment of a contractor to deliver the Orchard Farm roundabout is now Autumn 2025. R 4.5 Progress delivery of the Eurocentral Strategic Active Travel project. Appoint consultants to develop detailed design proposals during 2023/24 Due to the scale of the project, a phased approach will be taken to design and delivery. Detailed design work will be progressed over 2024 and early 2025. Subject to Full Business Case approval, it is planned to commence construction on the first phases during 2025. Completion of the City Deal funded phases is projected for March 2027. A 4.6 Support and enable investment in active travel Deliver phase 2 of the Ravenscraig Active Travel Links from Meadowhead Road to Robberhall Road. Delivery of Phase 2 of the Ravenscraig Active Travel Links project was completed in summer 2023. G 4.7 Undertake feasibility studies to support the development of active travel routes across North Lanarkshire. In partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, four active travel cross boundary connections were taken to concept design: Waterloo to Law; Uddingston to Bellshill; A725 to Strathclyde Country Park; and Bothwell to Strathclyde Country Park G 4.8 A further 6km of active travel routes to be enhanced or created during 2023/24, linking communities, arterial routes and transport hubs with town centres 3.74 kms of active travel infrastructure was enhanced or created in 23/24 throughout the area including Airdrie, Wishaw and Coatbridge. A Page 29 of 80
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and key business locations in North Lanarkshire. Construction of the Glasgow Road, Wishaw Active Travel project commenced in 2023/24, with all works to be completed during 2024/25. Riverbank and Newmains community hubs were opened in Coatbridge and Wishaw, incorporating improved active travel links/paths surrounding the Hubs, and on site cycle storage facilities. 4.9 Deliver a worldclass digital Infrastructure across North Lanarkshire Fibre infrastructure to be fully delivered by June 2023. This infrastructure is key to then enable other call off contracts, one of which is Public Wi-Fi, which when delivered, will be the single Public Wi-Fi service that will incorporate Town Centres and any public use buildings and spaces that are deemed to require it. This new infrastructure will be an enabler for further digital opportunities throughout North Lanarkshire. Through the Community Benefits and Added Value elements of the contract, key actions will be delivered throughout 2023-24 including: • Recruitment of additional 3 apprentices through the NLC/ With regards to fibre infrastructure, there has been considerable progress made to migrate the last remaining sites across to the new fibre CommsWorld network. 96% of sites are currently connected. The remaining 4% of sites are affected by road infrastructure issues, which are being addressed, to allow for completion of the project. Public Wi-Fi is underway with deployment split into quick to deploy sites (reusing existing council wireless infrastructure) and those sites requiring deployment of new physical infrastructure by CommsWorld technology. Pilots are underway with the current expectation of the “quick to deploy” sites being delivered by end of Q2 2024/25. Works also progressed with smart park technology deployed via an Intelligent Lighting System within Palacerigg and Strathclyde country parks. Electrical connections remain outstanding due to duct blockages but are expected to be operational by end of August 2024. Key Highlights of Community Benefits delivered throughout 2023/24 included: • modern apprentices recruited and shared between the council and Commsworld. A Page 30 of 80
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Commsworld Shared Apprenticeship model. • Continued delivery of SmartSTEM/ Young Enterprise Scotland programme in Schools • Provision of work experience placements • Delivery of a digital showcase for businesses • Development of activity to maximise the uptake of Scottish and national broadband voucher schemes • Development and delivery of actions to support community engagement, empowerment and capacity building • 2 flagship events were delivered in partnership with SmartSTEM at New College Lanarkshire one for Primary and one for Secondary schools. • 20 workshops for primary schools were delivered, highlighting careers in STEM • 10 Circular Economy Challenge Events delivered for schools. • Flagship business event held in Motherwell Concert Hall on 19 April 2023 to highlight how digital technology and skills can promote business growth. • Mapping of digital services developed and launched, highlighting venues and digital services available across all communities in North Lanarkshire Page 31 of 80
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Appendix 2 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) Performance Framework June 2024 Page 32 of 80
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Introduction Improving economic regeneration plays a significant part in our shared ambition to make North Lanarkshire the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) sets out how we will improve economic opportunities and outcomes for everyone in North Lanarkshire. This includes delivering new homes, reshaping town centres, attracting investment and jobs. Our investments will benefit everyone who lives, learns, invests and visits within North Lanarkshire. An ERDP Action Plan is updated annually and focuses on our key objectives and day‐to‐day activities in delivering the longer‐term vision set out within the ERDP and The Plan for North Lanarkshire. The ERDP Performance Framework comprises a set of performance indicators at three levels. These indicators aim to collectively provide an overview of performance that helps us to understand the impact of our work on improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all. Given the shared ambition set out within The Plan for North Lanarkshire, the ERDP Performance Framework is closely aligned to the corporate Strategic Performance Framework. This framework aims to produce evidence that allows for day‐to‐day activities, and progress towards improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all to be regularly monitored, reported, assessed, and scrutinised. It will also enable performance issues against the ERDP’s key priorities to be identified and addressed, mitigating the risk of delivery failure. The ERDP Performance Framework will be kept under review to ensure arrangements remain effective and aligned to future versions of the ERDP and The Plan for North Lanarkshire. Page 33 of 80
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ERDP Performance Framework The three levels of performance indicators form an interrelated set, with operational measures supporting improvements to services and outcomes for North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses in the short, medium, and long‐term. The three levels are summarised below: Level 1: The North Lanarkshire Economic Context A suite of ‘state of the nation’ health check indicators which collectively provide the North Lanarkshire economic context. These indicators are often at a macro level and out with the sole control of the Council. As such, these indicators do not have targets set against them, instead they set out the intended direction of travel. This approach is consistent with The Plan for North Lanarkshire Strategic Performance Framework. The ERDP framework uses 5 of the 28 indicators set out in the Strategic Performance Framework to assess the performance of the North Lanarkshire economy. Data comes from national sources such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) or Scottish Local Authority Economic Development (SLAED) Performance Reports. As data is reported in a consistent manner nationally, North Lanarkshire can be benchmarked against Scotland and comparator authorities across the Glasgow City Region. Level 2: Improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all A suite of indicators and information to enable an assessment of progress towards our long‐term vision of improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all. When measuring outcomes there is often a delay in being able to demonstrate that outcomes have been achieved, or it may not be clear how much of a change in an outcome can be attributed to NLC’s actions alone, or if external factors have influenced the outcome. Therefore, some of these indicators do not have targets set against them but will instead be used for benchmarking purposes. The group of performance indicators at all three levels in the ERDP Performance Framework therefore aims to collectively demonstrate improvements to outcomes in the long‐term, while demonstrating effective use of resources in the short term (the latter through monitoring and measuring day to day operations). Page 34 of 80
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Level 3: Day to day operations These performance indicators allow the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of day‐to‐day operations to be assessed. They include targets in the short‐term (current financial year), medium‐term, by the end of the current ERDP cycle (2027/28) and longer‐term (2035). Targets are cumulative from the baseline onwards (not additional to previous target). For example, the 1,400 Open Market Purchase Scheme completions by 2035 includes the 630 completions which have already been achieved by March 2023. Relevant teams across Place are identified against each indicator to ensure accountability. The inclusion of input and output measures, and understanding how these lead to improved outcomes, will be an important factor in determining the success of the Framework and Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan. Page 35 of 80
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ERDP Performance Framework: Level 1 The North Lanarkshire Economic Context Indicator Baseline Last available update Measuring this will tell us if we have… What success looks like Intended direction of travel Latest direction of travel North Lanarkshire Commentary Growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) (income approach) 2016 NL +3.7% Scotland +3.2% 2021 NL +5.2% Scotland -3.7% Increased North Lanarkshire’s economic output Continued economic growth in North Lanarkshire The latest data published shows that GVA growth remains positive, suggesting NLs economy continues to grow. This follows a dip in the previous year which mirrored the national position. The latest data shows a 5.2% increase in GVA per head in NL from 2020 to 2021 which reverses the previous year's declining figure of -3.7% and starts to return the level of growth to the pre-pandemic position of 6.6%. Gross weekly pay (residents) – full time employees 2018 NL £548.90 Scotland £562.70 2023 NL £705.70 Scotland £702.40 Increased the earnings of people who live in North Lanarkshire Earnings for people who live in North Lanarkshire continue to grow on a par with national levels Gross weekly pay for NLs residents became higher than the average earnings for Scotland and GB for the first time ever in 2022; latest results shows this positive position remains in 2023. Page 36 of 80
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% of all economically active (16‐64 years) Oct 2017/Sept 2018 NL 77.9% Scotland 77.6% Oct 2022/Sept 2023 NL 75.0% Scotland 77.9% Increased the number of North Lanarkshire’s residents in employment More people aged 16 to 64 living in NL are economically active and contributing to the local / national economy The latest result as at September 2023 equates to 171,100 residents economically active in NL; this is an increase from March 2020 (170,700) but figures have not yet returned to the pre-pandemic level in 2019 (174,000). % of VAT/PAYE registered businesses that survive for at least three years 2016 NL 58.7% Scotland 62.1% 2019 NL 54.0% Scotland 57.0% Note: data released November 2023 Increased and sustained new businesses in North Lanarkshire More locally generated and incoming businesses being created, surviving, and sustaining in the longer- term The latest business survival rates in North Lanarkshire show a varying position. 54% of North Lanarkshire based businesses registered in 2019 survived for at least three years. This represents a slight decrease from the previous year (58%). However, these businesses were in their infancy during when the Covid pandemic hit during 2020 and trading conditions were extremely challenging. This downward trend does follow the national average, although at a slightly greater decrease Page 37 of 80
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% of working age people (16‐ 64) claiming one or more of the key benefits Dec 2018 NL 3.5% Scotland 2.8% Dec 2023 NL 3.3% Scotland 3.0% Reduced the number of residents reliant on employment related benefits All of North Lanarkshire’s residents capable of working are sustaining employment The latest figure equates to 7,320 people claiming work related benefits in NL as at December 2023 - a 7% decrease from the December 2019 claimant count of 7,890 (pre-pandemic levels), but only a decrease of 100 from 7,330 as at December 2022. ERDP Performance Framework Level 2: Improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Baseline First ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Short-term (By 31 March 2024) Medium-term By next ERDP Review (By 31 March 2028) Long-term (By 31 March 2025) Target Actual Target Target Estimated number of construction jobs (PYEs) created The number of gross construction jobs (PYEs) created as a result of ERDP related investment by NLC and our ALEOs across North Lanarkshire. Construction jobs created as a result of physical regeneration projects occur during the construction phase of the project only and do not recur once the development is 796 1,849 2,569 2,539 4,784 7,626 Note: this does not take account of additional construction jobs created as a result of follow-on private sector developments enabled as a Page 38 of 80
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operational. Therefore, these figures are reported as Person Year Equivalents (PYEs) rather than Full‐time Equivalents (FTEs). result of NLC investments. Estimated number of gross full‐time equivalents (FTEs) created The estimated number of gross jobs (FTEs) created as a result of ERDP related investment by NLC and our ALEOs across North Lanarkshire. The gross number of jobs created does not take account of factors such as displacement. This measures the follow on impact generated once the physical works have been completed and the new infrastructure is being put to economic use. As these outcomes only occur once projects are operational, there will be a delay in demonstrating this outcome has been achieved. Therefore, this indicator has a long‐term target to 2035 only. Note: This jobs figure is based on investment across North Lanarkshire Council’s New Supply Programme, City Deal Programme, and the Regenerating Cumbernauld project. Fusion Assets investments are also included. 13,349 Estimated number of net additional full- time equivalents (FTE) created The estimated number of net jobs (FTEs) created as a result of ERDP related investment by NLC and our ALEOs across North Lanarkshire. Under this measure, the gross number of jobs created is adjusted to better assess the As these outcomes only occur once projects are operational, there will be a delay in demonstrating this outcome has been achieved. Therefore, this indicator has a long‐term target to 2035 only Note: This jobs figure is based on investment across North Lanarkshire Council’s New Supply Programme, City Deal Programme, and the Regenerating Cumbernauld project. Fusion Assets investments are also included. 6,879 Page 39 of 80
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true extent of the likely impact of the ERDP on the local labour market and economy. This measures the follow‐on impact generated once the physical works have been completed and the new infrastructure is being put to economic use. Town centre vacancy rates ‐ % of vacant commercial units as a % of total units across North Lanarkshire’s town centres. This indicator measures the level of vacant units within town centres. The ERDP aims to create vibrant mixed‐use towns where people live, work, shop, eat, and access local services. As such, recognition needs to be given to the fact that vacancies may temporarily increase where vacant possession of redundant retail centres or land assembly is required to enable transformative change 18.9% Year: 2018/19 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2022/23 ‐ Latest published data shows that North Lanarkshire’s town centre vacancy rate was 18.7%, above the Scottish average of 11.6% and approximately the same as measured in 2017/18. % of immediately available employment land The purpose of this measure is to contribute to the assessment of how ‘investor ready’ North Lanarkshire is in terms of providing the 65.7% Year: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2022/23 ‐ Latest published data shows that 70.4% of North Lanarkshire’s employment land was ‘immediately available’. This is higher than the Scottish average of 62.0%. Page 40 of 80
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necessary infrastructure for new and growing businesses, including inward investment. Employment land includes any land that is immediately available for business use, which means it is fully serviced and marketed, as opposed to simply designated for employment/industrial use in the Local Development Plan. The land is therefore immediately available for business expansion or relocation purposes. The 2022/23 NL figure is in line with the previous year (2021/22) which was 70.6%. Given levels of developable land available, the council is currently developing a Business & Industry Strategy for North Lanarkshire which will aim to identify how council investment in such land should be prioritised. Commercial planning applications‐ average time (weeks) to process business and industry planning applications Planning applications are important in terms of the future development and use of land across our towns and communities. An efficient and well‐ functioning planning service plays an important role in facilitating sustainable economic growth and delivering high quality development in the right places. This indicator shows how long the council takes to deliver 6.9 weeks Year: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2022/23 – North Lanarkshire 9.6 weeks, compared to a Scottish average of 12.0 weeks The North Lanarkshire processing time has reduced from 13.5 weeks (2020/21) and 12.6 weeks (2021/22) during the pandemic, and is now returning to pre pandemic levels (9.1 weeks in 2019/20). Page 41 of 80
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commercial planning application decisions (i.e., for a business and industry). Percentage of premises able to access Superfast Broadband Digital infrastructure is one of the key gateways to achieving inclusive growth and prosperity. By improving our digital infrastructure, we will connect North Lanarkshire to markets and opportunities. NLC has a role alongside telecoms companies in facilitating and enabling the development of effective digital infrastructure. The required digital infrastructure speed needed to have superfast broadband is 30Mbit/s. 97.0% Year: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only. 2023 – North Lanarkshire – 98.4% / Scotland 92.0% North Lanarkshire has a higher % of premises able to access superfast broadband compared to the Scottish average. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions area wide per capita (tonnes) Sustainability is one of the key principles which underpins the ERDP. These estimates can assist us in understanding our environmental impact and can be used to inform our actions against climate change and towards North Lanarkshire’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2030. 5.92t per capita Year: 2014/15 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only. 2021/22 – North Lanarkshire 5.07 tCO2 / Scotland 5.10 tCO2 Page 42 of 80
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ERDP Performance Framework: Level 3 Day to day operations Priority 1: Developing housing that promotes improved quality of life and creates a better place to live Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment This reflects the council’s commitment (through the Local Housing Strategy and Transforming Places Programme of Work) to promote a supply of good quality affordable housing across all tenures. This also supports the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) which helps deliver Local Housing Strategy priorities and maximise resources in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. The target to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035, includes over 500 homes to be acquired through the open market purchase scheme (an extension of the empty homes purchase scheme). 1. Ensure a housing mix that supports social inclusion and economic growth. 2. Refocus our town centres and communities to be multifunctional connected places which maximise social, economic, and environmental opportunities. Key performance indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) By first ERDP Review (2022/23) Short-term Medium- term Long-term By 31 March 2024 By 31 March 2025 By next ERDP Review (2027/28) By 31 March 2035 Actual Target Actual Target Target Target Number of new build council house completions The number of new build council house completions via the council’s 633 Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 1,016 1,292 1,351 Green 1,619 2,300 3,600 New Supply Page 43 of 80
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New Supply Programme Number of Open Market Purchase Scheme completions The number of homes brought into council ownership, including some homes previously sold under the Right to Buy, 133 Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 630 705 753 Green 853 1,055 1,400 New Supply Household connectivity capacity The % of new build homes (via the New Supply Programme) with high quality digital infrastructure 79% Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 87% 90% 90% Green 91% 94% 96% New Supply ERDP Priority 1 Performance Summary: Total number of indicators Number of indicators with ‘Green’ status Number of indicators with ‘Amber’ status Number of indicators with ‘Red’ status 3 3 0 0 Success to date The New Supply Programme was introduced in 2010/11 and NLC has set an ambitious target of delivering 5,000 council homes by 2035. This will be achieved via a combination of new build, purchasing from the private sector (off the shelf) and buying existing homes via the Open Market Purchase Scheme: • 2,104 homes have been delivered via the New Supply Programme, at 31 March 2024. Page 44 of 80
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• NLC’s first low carbon (net zero) homes were completed at Dykehead Road, Airdrie in 2022/23. These homes feature air source heat pump heating systems, battery storage and enhanced photovoltaic panels. • As part of our new council house building programme we maximise the delivery of community benefits. These form part of our valuation process when we’re reviewing contracts for our new build projects and these benefits are key to supporting communities, future workforce and local people. • In 2023/24, a new amenity house opened in Castlehill Road, Wishaw for local residents to enjoy, meet and socialise together. This is just one of the community benefits delivered as part of our New Supply Programme. • We’re also helping young people towards positive outcomes and work with education, supported enterprise and employability teams to help facilitate work experience and opportunities to positive destinations within construction. Challenges Various external factors such as the Covid‐19 pandemic, Brexit, the wider geopolitical environment, and rising inflation across the UK economy have impacted construction and materials costs. Despite these challenges, the programme is progressing well and all 3 related ERDP Priority 1 Performance Indicators were met or exceeded by 2023/24. Priority 2: Reshaping our town centres to ensure that they provide modern and attractive centres that meet the needs of our communities Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment A key priority within the Transforming Places Programme of Work Delivery Plan is the regeneration of North Lanarkshire’s town centres and their redevelopment as modern, high‐quality, mixed‐use spaces with a much stronger focus on residential provision. 1. Ensure a housing mix that supports social inclusion and economic growth. 2. Refocus our town centres and communities to be multifunctional connected places which maximise social, economic, and environmental opportunities. Page 45 of 80
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Key performance indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) By first ERDP Review (2022/23) Short-term Medium- term Long-term By 31 March 2024 By 31 March 2025 By next ERDP Review (2027/28) By 31 March 2035 Actual Target Actual Target Target Target Investment made in town centre developments The amount (£) invested in North Lanarkshire’s town centres to enable sites to be repurposed or redeveloped. This includes NLC investment and external funding sources. £29.8m Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 £73.89m £96.2m £91.9m Amber £114.5m £218.7m £289.2m Growth / New Supply External funding secured for town centre regeneration projects The amount (£) of external funding secured for town centre regeneration projects in North £9.26m Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 £32.0m £44.8m £44.3m Amber £54.7m £92.9m £120.4m Growth / New Supply Page 46 of 80
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Lanarkshire’s town centres. Number of town centre buildings and/or sites repurposed or redeveloped The number of existing buildings or vacant sites within North Lanarkshire’s town centres, which have been repurposed or redeveloped. 34 Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 58 61 59 Amber 64 85 91 Growth / New Supply / RSL’s Number of new affordable homes completed within town centres (or edge of town) The number of units either converted to residential or new build house completions by NLC or RSLs within town centres 887 Years 2010/11 – 2018/19 1,663 1,728 1,692 Amber 1,797 2,574 2,715 Growth / New Supply / RSL’s Page 47 of 80
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ERDP Priority 2 Performance Summary: Total number of indicators Number of indicators with ‘Green’ status Number of indicators with ‘Amber’ status Number of indicators with ‘Red’ status 4 0 4 0 Success to date Since the ERDP was introduced in 2019, eight town visions have been developed for Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Motherwell, Shotts and Wishaw. Town Action Plans have been developed for Airdrie, Bellshill, Kilsyth, Motherwell, Shotts and Wishaw, outlining the short, medium and long‐term actions required to realise the visions for each of these towns. These will be reviewed annually. A Town Board has been established in Coatbridge. The board will drive the development of a Long-Term Plan for Coatbridge, aligned to the Town Vision, which will be submitted to the UK Government during 2024/25. This will act as a three-year investment plan towards drawing down the first tranche of funding from the £19.5 million allocated to Coatbridge over the next 10 years. The council acquired The Centre Cumbernauld in June 2023, a major milestone in the redevelopment of Cumbernauld town centre. Proposals are now being developed for the phased redevelopment of the town centre, including traffic/transportation assessments. Over £90 million has been invested in towns since the launch of the ERDP in 2019, with key projects including: • The acquisition of key town centre properties, with plans to convert to residential developments. These include the former YMCA building (Brandon Street, Motherwell), Motherwell Old Town Hall, Bank Street and Main Street (Coatbridge), the former Masonic Hall (Hope Street, Motherwell), Kings House (Wishaw) and the former Methodist Church (Wishaw). • Enabling the regeneration of the Orrs building in Airdrie, which completed in 2024 • Major improvements to community facilities such as Motherwell Library. • A 2.3km Green Route, connecting Cumbernauld town centre with surrounding communities such as Kildrum and Carbrain. Page 48 of 80
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1,692 town centre homes have also been delivered via NLC and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). This includes homes within a 10‐minute walk of town centres, in line with the 20‐minute neighbourhood definition. Challenges Various external factors such as the Covid‐19 pandemic, Brexit, the wider geopolitical environment, and rising inflation across the UK economy have impacted construction and materials costs. Challenging public finances over the last few years have also put a recent strain on the availability of external government funding towards capital projects, such as the recent pausing of the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP), as well as delays in confirming Place Based Investment Programme budgets for 2024/25. However, progress continues towards reshaping and repopulating our town centres. The council continues to engage with property and landowners to acquire buildings/land which are strategically aligned with our redevelopment plans. A key challenge is managing owner’s expectations around property/land value, ensuring best value is achieved. Priority 3: Improve our business and industrial infrastructure, creating opportunity for investment and for companies to start-up or relocate here Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment Although North Lanarkshire has a significant amount of industrial land and premises, some are not suitable for today’s needs. To enable our people and businesses to thrive we’ll invest in business and industrial space and in marketing North Lanarkshire as the place to invest and work. 2. Refocus our town centres and communities to be multifunctional connected places which maximise social, economic, and environmental opportunities. 3. Maximise the use of our marketable land and assets through improved Page 49 of 80
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development in business and industrial infrastructure. 16. Transform our natural environment to support wellbeing and inward investment and enhance it for current and future generations. Key performance indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) By first ERDP Review (2022/23) Short-term Medium- term Long-term By 31 March 2024 By 31 March 2025 By next ERDP Review (2027/28) By 31 March 2035 Actual Target Actual Target Target Target Investment made towards the development of business and industrial infrastructure The amount (£) invested in business and industry zoned land or upgraded to existing business and industrial infrastructure across North Lanarkshire. This includes NLC and ALEO funding only. £0.524m Year: 2018/19 £2.852m £4.19m £4.65m Green £7.89m £9.2m £14.9m Fusion Assets / NLP / Growth Page 50 of 80
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External/private sector/loan funding secured for office and industrial development The amount (£) of external, private or loan funding secured for investment in office and industrial developments across North Lanarkshire. £1.3m Year: 2018/19 £16.85m £21.7m £22.35m Green £27.35m £32.8m £40.4m Fusion Assets / Growth Ha of land improved for business and industrial use The amount (Ha) of land remediated or improved for business and industry use across North Lanarkshire 3.61ha Year: 2018/19 7.74ha 9.5ha 10.29ha Green 14.26ha 15.0ha 16.0ha Fusion Assets / Growth Sq.ft of commercial workspace created or refurbished The amount (square footage) of commercial workspace created or refurbished as a result of investment by NLC, Fusion Assets or North Lanarkshire Properties 18,000 sq.ft Year: 2018/19 117,410 sq.ft 132,910 sq.ft 132,910 sq.ft Green 160,658 sq.ft 258,358 sq.ft 459,858 sq.ft Fusion Assets / NLP / Growth Page 51 of 80
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across North Lanarkshire ERDP Priority 3 Performance Summary: Total number of indicators Number of indicators with ‘Green’ status Number of indicators with ‘Amber’ status Number of indicators with ‘Red’ status 4 4 0 0 Success to date Since the introduction of the ERDP in 2019, almost an additional 115,000 sq.ft of commercial workspace has been created, including 40,500 sq.ft at Gartcosh Industrial Park (buildings 2 and 3). During 2023/24, Fusion Assets acquired Plot One at the former Ravenscraig steelworks site in Motherwell. Following the remediation and servicing of the 6.4 acre development site, Fusion Assets will bring forward plans for a multi let industrial scheme. Fusion Assets completed the construction of a new 15,500 sq.ft, net zero carbon enabled, industrial building at Link Park, Newhouse during 2023/24. Enabling works were completed in June 2023 at Gartcosh Industrial Park (Phase 3). This site has planning approval for the construction of up to four new industrial units, totalling 62,000 sq.ft. 11,410 sq.ft has been developed at Spruce Court within Orbiston Street Industrial Estate, Motherwell. This has provided new start‐up units for SMEs as well as a unit for New College Lanarkshire students as part of an initiative to support young entrepreneurs who are setting up a business within the area. The council has also secured £1.9M from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund which will contribute to the significant redevelopment of Braidhurst Industrial Estate in Motherwell. This project will see the upgrading of the existing units owned by North Lanarkshire Properties as well as the construction of industrial units suited to local small‐medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Page 52 of 80
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Lastly, the council continue to receive ring‐fenced Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) funding from the Scottish Government (subject to the submission and approval of an annual VDLF Local Delivery Plan) and continue to focus this investment towards the creation of new industrial and business space and ultimately new jobs. Challenges Various external factors such as the Covid‐19 pandemic, Brexit, the wider geopolitical environment, and rising inflation across the UK economy have impacted construction and materials costs. High interest rates and lower investment yields have also impacted on the viability of externally funded projects which Fusion Assets looks to deliver, either solely or as a joint venture. This has caused some delays to projects and investments made. Despite these challenges, good progress has been made against improving our business and industrial infrastructure with all 4 key performance measures under this ERDP priority either met or exceeded by March 2024. Priority 4: Continuing to improve our connectivity and develop new opportunities to transform our road, rail and digital infrastructure Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment Another key priority within the Transforming Places Programme of Work is the delivery of the City Deal Infrastructure programme which aims to increase Gross Value Added across the entire Glasgow City Region by providing increased access to jobs through improved connectivity to centres of employment and opening up development opportunity. We will connect North Lanarkshire to markets and opportunities by improving our strategic infrastructure. 2. Refocus our town centres and communities to be multifunctional connected places which maximise social, economic, and environmental opportunities. 4. Market and promote North Lanarkshire as the place to live, learn, work, invest, and visit. 5. Grow and improve the sustainability and diversity of North Lanarkshire’s economy Page 53 of 80
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16. Transform our natural environment to support wellbeing and inward investment and enhance it for current and future generations. Key performance indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) By first ERDP Review (2022/23) Short-term Medium- term Long-term By 31 March 2024 By 31 March 2025 By next ERDP Review (2027/28) By 31 March 2035 Actual Target Actual Target Target Target Investment made in key infrastructure projects (including City Deal projects) to date The amount (£) invested in key infrastructure projects (including investment made in City Deal projects to date). This includes NLC direct investment and Glasgow City Region City Deal funding. £6.8m Years: 2015/16 – 2018/19 £42.34m £64.4m £55.16m Red £68.12m £154.44m £243.45m City Deal Page 54 of 80
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Number of key infrastructure contracts completed The number of key Enterprise Projects or City Deal infrastructure contracts completed. A long‐term project can contain multiple contracts 3 Years: 2015/16 – 2018/19 7 11 13 Green 17 25 28 City Deal Km of active travel routes The amount (Km) of active travel routes created which will improve the ability of all people to walk, wheel and cycle throughout North Lanarkshire. This will help reduce inequalities by providing people with 0km Year: 2018/19 13.46km 19.46km 17.2km Amber 21.8km 50km 125km Infrastructure & Transportation Page 55 of 80
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more opportunities to access employment, local services, education or training. ERDP Priority 4 Performance Summary: Total number of indicators Number of indicators with ‘Green’ status Number of indicators with ‘Amber’ status Number of indicators with ‘Red’ status 3 1 1 1 Success to date The direct deliverable successes to March 2024 relate to infrastructure delivery completed or in progress; procurement activity progressed and contracts awarded; project development and delivery investment. The indirect deliverable successes to March 2024 relate to economic benefits realised; the impact of GCR City Deal investment in addressing market failure and providing improved confidence to the market, people and businesses to locate in North Lanarkshire. These successes are monitored through ongoing benefits monitoring data and through evidence of market interest (through planning applications, proposal of application notices, commercial enquiries). The following headline successes has been achieved since the commencement of the council’s City Deal Infrastructure Investment Programme: • £55.16m City Deal Programme investment to March 2024 (project development and delivery) • A further £1.15m of external funding secured and invested in other infrastructure projects to March 2024 to support core City Deal projects. • 13 infrastructure contracts delivered (City Deal contracts and other infrastructure contracts to support core City Deal projects). Page 56 of 80
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Gartcosh/Glenboig Community Growth Area (CGA): • Gartcosh Business Park to Glenboig Link Road project delivered (comprising three works contracts). • Benefits realisation has commenced as a result of the Glenboig Link Road project with housing developments at Gartcosh/Glenboig CGA and Fusion Assets investment in commercial/industrial units at Gartcosh Business Park. There has also been evidence of market interest (both residential and commercial) in the area. Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange : • Motherwell Station Park and Ride expansion project delivered. • Muir Street Interchange works completed in May 2023. Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access (RIA) South: • West Coast Mainline Crossing guided into place under a closure of the rail line in April 2023. East Airdrie Link Road (EALR) • Tender for consultancy services for stage 3 of the project issued, evaluated and contract awarded. Outline Business Case developed, for submission in Summer 2024. A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements: • Options appraisal and concept design work progressed for Phase 1 and 2 of Eurocentral Strategic Active Travel Links project. Tender for consultancy services for design and tender information prepared for issue in June 2024. Active Travel • Motherwell Station Active Travel Links Phase 1 (West Hamilton Street to Motherwell Civic Centre; Hope Street, Muir Street and Pollock Street) detailed designs progressed and a contract awarded for works on West Hamilton Street. • Ravenscraig Active Travel Link Phase 2 works completed; feasibility study and options appraisal contract awarded for active travel links between Courington Road, Motherwell and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. • Alexander Street, Wishaw, Active Travel and Road Safety Improvements: construction completed. • Meadowhead, Wishaw, Active Travel and Road Safety Improvements: construction completed. Page 57 of 80
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• Glasgow Road, Wishaw, Active Travel and Road Safety Improvements: detailed design finalised and Phase 1 constructed. • Carnbroe Community Hub, Active Travel Links: detailed designs finalised and construction completed. Challenges Over the last 4 years in particular, a variety of external factors and challenges have affected construction and infrastructure activity which have impacted on project programmes and milestones: Various external factors such as the Covid‐19 pandemic, Brexit, the wider geopolitical environment and rising inflation across the UK economy have impacted construction and materials costs. Labour market and material supply issues have continued to impact on tender costs and put pressure on delivery timescales. Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access South – due to identified drainage design issues within the Motherwell to Ravenscraig works tender package, the decision was made not to continue with the works tender to the planned programme. This impacted upon the projected spend profile for the RIAS project in 23/24. A revised procurement strategy for development of the new road between Windmillhill Street and the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility is now being taken forward as a series of smaller, related work phases. Spend profiles for future years will be based on this revised strategy. East Airdrie Link Road – the procurement programme for appointment of consultancy services to progress preliminary design and statutory approval services for the East Airdrie Link Road project was longer than originally anticipated and impact the projected spend profile in 2023/24. The contract has now been awarded and spend profiles for future years will be updated. Active Travel infrastructure – the council is continuing to progress strategic Active travel projects in accordance with the priorities identified in its Active Travel Strategy, including improving active travel connections to new Community Hubs. However, progress with delivering new/improved routes is largely dependent on availability of external funding with allocations generally made on an annual basis which makes forward planning more challenging. Page 58 of 80
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref LN/PH Date 30/08/24 City Deal Programme Update From Pamela Humphries, Chief Officer (Place) E-mail NobleLy@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Lyndsay Noble 07970016256 Executive Summary The North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme Update Report seeks to inform the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee of the current status of North Lanarkshire City Deal Infrastructure Programme and its subprojects. The report provides Committee with an update on the approved changes to the City Deal Programme. The report also advises Committee of the submission and approval of the East Airdrie Link Road Outline Business Case by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: (1) Acknowledges the status and recent progress of North Lanarkshire City Deal infrastructure subprojects and revised Programme. (2) Acknowledges the Glasgow City Region Approval on 6 August 2024 to remove the Ravenscraig North sub project from the City Deal Programme (dualling of A723) and reprofile the Airbles Road Improvements sub project to 2028 and 2029. (3) Acknowledges the approval of the East Airdrie Link Road Outline Business Case. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (5) Grow and improve the sustainability and diversity of North Lanarkshire's economy Programme of Work Transforming Places Item 4 Page 59 of 80
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1. Background 1.1 The Glasgow City Region (GCR) City Deal is an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments and the eight GCR Local Authorities, with the sole focus of creating additional economic growth. The 20-year GCR Deal was accepted by GCR Council Leaders on 20 August 2014 and incorporated: • Implementing a £1.13bn Infrastructure Fund to improve the regional transport network, regenerate sites for economic use and improve public transport provision; • Supporting growth in the life sciences sector; • Helping small and medium enterprises to grow and develop; • Establishing programmes to support the unemployed; and • Piloting new ways of boosting the incomes of low wage employees. 1.2 As Committee is aware, a strategic review and prioritisation of all projects within the NL City Deal programme has been carried out and formed part of the consideration of the council’s Strategic Capital Investment Programme 2024/25 to 2028/29 approved by Policy & Resources Committee on 14 March 2024. 1.3 The review of City Deal Programme was to ensure the Programme remained fit for purpose and aligned to the Plan for NL and Programmes of Work and to manage project delivery and, importantly, to assess cost pressures on the projects. The impacts on inflation, suppliers and materials and risk uncertainties resulting from a combination of Brexit, Covid, and the Ukraine war has all led to a significant increased pressure on infrastructure projects. The revised programme now allows for a stronger focus on strategic connectivity, and new road infrastructure to enable regeneration and development. 1.4 Following Committee approval in May 2024 for the proposed changes to the City Deal Programme, it can now be confirmed that on 6 August 2024 the Glasgow City Region Cabinet also approved the changes to allow the NLC Programme to be reset and refocused. 1.5 The City Deal Programme for North Lanarkshire, as part of the infrastructure fund, following the removal of the Ravenscraig North sub project comprises the following sub projects: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements o Strategic Active Travel o Orchard farm Roundabout • Glenboig Link Road (complete) • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor o East Airdrie Link Road o Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South (Motherwell to Ravenscraig and Airbles Road Improvements) o Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange (complete) 1.6 As Committee is aware, the strategic review and prioritisation of all projects within the City Deal programme formed part of the consideration of the council’s Strategic Capital Investment Programme 2024/25 to 2028/29 approved by Policy & Resources Committee on 14 March 2024. Page 60 of 80
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2. Report City Deal Programme 2.1 The Programme has been revised as outlined above and focuses on creating the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor and improving the A8/M8 Corridor Improvements supporting both the city deal objectives and the Plan for North Lanarkshire. 2.2 Following approval of the new five-year capital programme (March 24), Enterprise and Fair Work Committee approval (May 24) and Glasgow City Region Cabinet approval (August 24) to amend the Programme, the RIA North sub project has been removed from the City Deal Funding Programme. As part of the revised Programme, the Airbles Road Improvements have also been reprofiled with works now planned during February 2028 to March 2029. 2.3 As previously reported, this now allows the RAI North funding allocation of the City Deal grant to be reallocated to further support the remaining Pan Lanarkshire Corridor sub projects and for the significant committed NLC additional contributions from RAI North (in the region of £50m) to be re-profiled over existing City Deal projects. This enables the council to prioritise resources on the new sections of road and potentially further consider active travel provision along the A723 to create the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor supporting vehicle movement, public transport and active travel. Project Updates 2.4 East Airdrie Link Road As Committee is aware, the East Airdrie Link Road (EALR) will provide a new strategic link between the M8 and south Cumbernauld. The proposed link road will also provide the access to the Replacement Monklands Hospital at Wester Moffat, Airdrie. The Monklands Replacement Project is moving forward at present with the Scottish Government approving the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) Outline Business Case in July 2023. A further key milestone has also been achieved by NHS Lanarkshire with Planning Permission being granted for the Replacement Hospital on 20 June 2024. NHS Lanarkshire have appointed Laing O’Rourke as their preferred contractor who will work alongside their design team to progress the project to Full Business Case. 2.5 The EALR project team continue to liaise with NHS Lanarkshire through regular technical meetings and a Project Interface Board provides governance around coordination, manage risk, secure efficiencies, and maximise benefits. 2.6 With the EALR project now firmly in DMRB Stage 3 (preliminary design and planning), the agreed previously reported programme is progressing at pace with design fix one complete and design fix two almost complete. These design phases will allow the alignment to be confirmed and will support further consultation with key stakeholders including local communities and residents. To support the design work and planning application, topographical surveys and environmental surveys are underway. The Project team have commenced consultation with key landowners, affected residents and the wider community. 2.7 As committee is aware, an Outline Business Case was required to be submitted to the GCR Cabinet to secure approval to move forward with the EALR project to Full Business Case and to release the next tranche of City Deal Funding. The OBC has now been approved by the GCR Cabinet on the 6 August 2024, meeting a major funding milestone for the EALR. Page 61 of 80
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2.8 The approved EALR OBC reflects the increased estimated budget previously reported of £185M. The OBC is based on the agreed delivery timescales with the EALR completion by 2030. The business case focuses on the link road being critical to both the Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor and for the opening and operation of the Monklands Replacement Hospital. Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange 2.9 The Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange project, comprising Motherwell Station and Muir Street improvements, is complete. The Station has undergone transformational change with the improvements providing a high-quality experience for rail passengers and railway employees at Motherwell. 2.10 The Partnership between Scotrail, NLC, SPT and Transport Scotland in delivering the joint project has been a success and is now driving forward related active travel projects to connect Motherwell Rail Station and surrounding communities to leisure facilities, employment and training opportunities at Strathclyde Country Park, Braidhurst Industrial Estate, Ravenscraig and local services in Motherwell. 2.11 Whilst the Muir Street contract works are complete and the new facilities are now open and in use, defects remain which require to be rectified by the contractor on sections of the public realm and surfaced areas of Muir Street. Discussions continue with the contractor and once the timing and duration of the rectification works has been agreed this will be communicated to local members, stakeholders, local businesses and residents. Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure 2.12 The Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project, following the removal of the RIA N sub project, comprises 2 sub projects: • A new road connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig from Airbles Road, passing under the West Coast Main Line railway, and on to the Regional Sports Facility • Completing the dualling of Airbles Road between Airbles Farm Road and Hamilton Road and improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. 2.13 A revised procurement strategy for the development of the new road between Windmillhill Street and the Ravenscraig Sports Facility is now being taken forward as a series of related work phases. The first phase of work comprises the demolition of the buildings acquired for the scheme – at Manse Road (formerly Cook & Indi’s and Yesss Electrical), the existing Evans Halshaw dealership and the adjacent vacant commercial unit. The demolition contract is progressing with the works taking place from late summer 2024. 2.14 The advancement of the works through a series of packages including the demolition contract, subsequent proposed groundworks and advanced utilities works will assist in maintaining progress, minimising the impact on Motherwell Town Centre and local road network and will de-risk the main works contract. 2.15 The phasing of the works packages also allows further consideration of a wider strategic and local drainage strategy to potentially help support further works to improve the drainage network in the vicinity, which is significantly constrained and may inhibit Page 62 of 80
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future redevelopment and regeneration of council and other sites. It also allows the potential to link in with proposed road improvements being considered by the Roads Authority and supporting the delivery of the Active Travel Strategy 2.16 Design work will continue for the Airbles Road Improvement sub project with the delivery of the works now programmed for February 2028 to March 2029 as per the approval at the May Committee. 2.17 For Ravenscraig North, as outlined earlier in this report, the RAI N sub project has now been removed from the City Deal Programme. We are currently bringing the design work to a sensible staged conclusion over 2024/25. If required in the future, it will be submitted as part of a future capital programme bid and considered within the long- term financial planning of the council. Orchard Farm Roundabout 2.18 The ‘A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements’ Outline Business Case (OBC) including the Orchard Farm Roundabout was approved by the GCR Cabinet on 30 August 2022. The scope of the Orchard Farm Roundabout project comprises a financial contribution of £2m to the developer for the construction of the junction on the A8. The Orchard Farm Roundabout is a new junction on the A8 All Purpose Distributor Road and critically supports the development of the Mossend International Rail Freight Park (MIRP) and provides important access to a number of development sites to the north of the A8/M8. 2.19 The proposed Full Business Case (FBC) to secure the city deal funding for the new junction will be underpinned by a funding agreement between the council and the developer/s and will establish funding arrangements, obligations and key milestones. The remainder of the costs and any associated delivery risks relating to the delivery of the infrastructure will be met by the developer/s. The infrastructure will form part of the strategic road network and will fall under the responsibility of Transport Scotland. 2.20 Discussions are continuing with the private sector partnership responsible for delivering the new roundabout infrastructure on programme; procurement approach; costs and funding package. Value engineering opportunities have been identified which will provide increased delivery certainty. These are being developed by the partnership’s consultants for further discussion with Transport Scotland and other key stakeholders. This will impact upon the target date of October 2024 for submission of the FBC for approval to the GCR Chief Executive’s Group however will provide increased certainty of delivery within budget. A programme change control has been approved by the GCR Cabinet move the FBC submission from October 24 to Summer 2026. Discussions will continue with the private sector partnership over the coming months on the revised programme milestones. The FBC, once submitted, will report on the procurement outcome of the new junction and associated works and is the final stage in the funding approvals to allow for contract award and the delivery of the infrastructure. 2.21 Agreement will be sought from Committee to submit the FBC to the GCR Chief Executives Group for approval in due course. A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel 2.22 The provision of 10 km of Strategic Active Travel Links, connecting Eurocentral/Maxim Office Park/Newhouse and Mossend to surrounding local communities and local rail stations was approved by GCR Cabinet on 30 August 2022 as the new preferred option for the Eurocentral sub-project. Page 63 of 80
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2.23 The routes identified are to the south of Eurocentral between Bellshill Rail Station/town centre and the M8 cycle route at North Road; Bellshill town centre, Mossend and Holytown, connecting into Eurocentral from Holytown and between Holytown and Newhouse. To the north of Eurocentral, a route has also been identified from Whifflet rail station to the M8 cycle route at Shawhead. These routes are designated as Strategic Network Routes within the North Lanarkshire Active Travel Strategy. 2.24 The proposed shared use walking and cycling routes will be delivered by both City Deal investment and other external funding. The routes link with other planned active travel route improvements as part of the East Airdrie Link Road project and with other projects being developed by the Infrastructure and Transportation team. 2.25 Due to the scale of the project, a phased approach will be taken to design and delivery. Detailed design work will be progressed over 2024 and early 2025, and subject to Committee agreement, it is proposed to submit a first phase sub-project’s Full Business Case in Summer 2025 and commence construction soon after, with completion of the first phase in Autumn 2026. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme construction timescales have been updated following a programme review and approval of the Strategic Capital Investment Programme are as follows (construction only): Glenboig/Gartcosh Community Growth Area: • Glenboig Link Road – May 2017 to June 2018 (complete) Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor: • Muir Street – January 2022 to June 2023 (complete) • Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure – March 2022 to March 2029 (no longer including RAI N but including the reprofiling of Airbles Road) • East Airdrie Link Road – Sept 2028 to Sept 2030 A8/M8 Transport Corridor: • Orchard Farm Roundabout – October 2026 to October 2027 • Eurocentral Strategic Active Travel – June 2025 – March 2027 (delivered in phases) 3.2 The Programme and its sub projects have been developed to ensure that at a North Lanarkshire level, North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses will directly benefit. 3.3 Each project at Outline Business Case stage and at sub-project at Full Business Case stage has to demonstrate how it will deliver the direct and indirect benefits. As part of the business case process, through the Economic Impact Assessment, outputs and wider benefits are identified and are set out in a Benefits Realisation Profile. The Business Cases identify the economic impacts and the Benefits Profile quantify and details when outputs will be delivered and achieved as a result of the specific project investment. Page 64 of 80
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3.4 The benefits will be measured over a 10-year period, reporting as part of the GCR Gateways until 2035 and beyond. The City Deal Programme is currently in Gateway 2, with the outcome to be presented to the Scottish Government and UK Government in October 2024. A successful Gateway allows for the next 5 year tranche of funding to be released. 3.5 All North Lanarkshire City Deal contracts seek to maximise community benefits from contracts awarded for the Project. Community Benefits will be secured for both sub- projects comprising the Project, through the procurement of services and works in line with the City Deal Community Benefit Strategy. The Community Benefits will be delivered through the design, planning and implementation phases, through contracts directly awarded by North Lanarkshire Council and where relevant its partners. The community benefits menu within the City Deal Community Benefits Strategy will be used to target benefits that support the Council’s key aims and objectives and deliver against priorities. 3.6 The type and number of community benefits to be delivered at a project and contract level will be determined with reference to the nature and duration of each contract and supplier. Community benefit outcomes for the Project will be linked to the Council’s Single Outcome Agreement and Corporate Outcomes and the relevant local outcomes which underpin these at a Service level. Community Benefits can be reported as part of the sub projects updates. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 No Supporting Documents. Pamela Humphries Chief Officer (Place) Page 65 of 80
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5. Impacts 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The City Deal Cabinet has agreed that Inclusive Growth is to be fully embedded within the GCR City Deal programme delivery and that it is also committed to supporting the delivery of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan. Future NLC subproject OBC/FBC development will be scrutinised to ensure it meets the duties of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Following Committee approval (May 24) and GCR Cabinet Approval on 6 August 2024, the revised North Lanarkshire Glasgow City Region City Deal Programme is as follows: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements £6.5m • Glenboig Link Road (complete) £6.2m • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor £264.9m • Total £277.6m This is funded £149.0m by the GCR City Deal Infrastructure Fund and £128.6m by North Lanarkshire Council. The financial implications of the City Deal Programme will be considered within the council’s Long-term Financial Plan. To date budgetary implications over the next 5 years have been approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee. Page 66 of 80
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5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The City Deal Team work closely with Legal Services on all sub projects focusing on land acquisition and CPO, procurement and contract preparation and management, funding agreements and any other related matters. 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? All infrastructure projects developed by the council as part of the GCR City Deal will be subject to relevant environmental and sustainability appraisal and as part of the design process and subsequent planning application approvals and procurement. Page 67 of 80
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Furthermore, to adhere with HM Treasury Greenbook best practice, each iteration of project business case seeking GCR City Deal funding will include a review of the sustainability considerations, this will include carbon management, involving categorisation, assessment and mitigation. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The City Deal programme and the delivery of the projects will continue to be promoted through Corporate Communications and the Glasgow City Region’s Communications team. Specific to Muir Street Improvements, a joint communications group with Scotrail, Transport Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council has been set up to coordinate communication and promote the Motherwell Station redevelopment and the City Deal Muir Street improvements. In terms of East Airdrie Link Road, a joint communication plan will be developed with NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council to coordinate communication, stakeholder engagement and promote the projects as they develop. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? A key risk for the City Deal Programme is the current global economic climate and its short and long term impacts on the delivery of the city deal projects. This risk is becoming a live issue for the Programme and will be assessed and recorded within the City Deal Issues Register. This is not unique to City Deal and the approach to this risk and issue management will be carried out in conjunction with Finance and the Glasgow City Region Project Management Office. Risk management of North Lanarkshire’s City Deal activity is incorporated within the council’s City Deal programme risk register which is reviewed by the City Deal Manager and reported to the council’s City Deal Board. The City Deal risks are also integrated in the Planning and Regeneration Service Risk Register. Each City Deal sub project has a detail risk register and is managed by the Project Manager. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. Page 68 of 80
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5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 69 of 80
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG/PK Date 30/08/24 Re-appointment of Category B Directors - Routes to Work Ltd From Alison Gordon, Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) E-mail gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 1. Background 1.1 Routes to Work’s Board of Directors consists of up to twelve members – two are Category A members appointed by North Lanarkshire Council (one is an elected member, and one is a senior council officer) and up to ten Category B directors, who bring specialist expertise to the company and are selected through a formal nomination procedure. 1.2 The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that Routes to Work’s services are delivered in accordance with approved Service Level Agreements and charitable objectives. The Board meets quarterly to fulfil its governance responsibilities which include operational delivery and management, staffing, financial control and reporting, health and safety, risk management and performance monitoring and reporting. There Executive Summary This report concerns the re-appointment of four Category B directors to Routes to Work Limited (RTW) who are reaching the three-year limit on their appointment by the Council and are willing to be re-appointed. Recommendations It is recommended that the Enterprise & Fair Work Committee: (1) Approve the re-appointment of the four Category B directors, referred to in section 2.3, to the Board of Directors of Routes to Work Limited. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (11) Increase economic opportunities for adults by understanding, identifying, and addressing the causes of poverty and deprivation and barriers to financial inclusion Programme of Work Brighter Futures Item 5 Page 71 of 80
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are three formal sub-groups of the Board that meet regularly. These have remits for Governance, Human Resources, and Finance. 2. Report Provisions of Articles of Association 2.1 The Articles of Association of Routes to Work Limited include the following provisions in respect of the composition of the Board of Directors and the appointment of Independent Directors: 60.2 a maximum of 10 directors shall be Category B Directors, who shall be appointed (after due consideration of the views of the board of directors) on the basis that: 60.2.1 they are representative of the community within the local authority area of the Council; and/or 60.2.2 they have specialist skills or expertise which would be of assistance to the board. 2.2 Under the terms of Article 65.1 the Council may appoint/ re-appoint any Category B Director (other than an officer, elected member or employee of the Council) in writing and signed by an appropriate officer with the guidance of the company’s nominations sub-committee. The appointment/ re-appointment of Category B directors is for a period of 3 years, after which directors must resign or be re-appointed by the Council. In addition, the Council can remove any Category A or B director from office at any time. 2.3 The re-appointment of the four Category B Directors listed below has been discussed and agreed at Routes to Work Ltd Board and it was agreed that the Council be approached to secure the necessary approval for these re-appointments. The directors seeking re- appointment are: (i) Robert King (ii) Liz McCutcheon (iii) Martin McGuire (iv) Kenny Nicholson 2.4 The independent directors proposed for re-appointment have clear expertise within areas that can support Routes to Work Ltd. A short profile of the independent directors proposed for re-appointment is included in Appendix 1. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Routes to Work Limited continues to utilise the experience and support of its independent directors. Page 72 of 80
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4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 Profile of Category B Director Proposed for Re-appointment to Routes to Work Limited Board. Alison Gordon Chief Social Work Officer (Education, Families, Justice & Integrated Practice) Page 73 of 80
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The financial performance of Routes to Work is closely monitored by the council’s Section 95 Officer and the financial performance as detailed above, along with other key financial information presented in the report. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Page 74 of 80
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Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Routes to Work maintain a detailed risk register which is presented to each Board meeting. In terms of the Council, the risk of Routes to Work and the wider employability programmes being deemed non-compliant with external funders is present and controlled through the strong monitoring arrangements and reflected in Council risk registers. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services. 5.11 Children’s rights and wellbeing impact Does the report contain any information regarding any council activity, service delivery, policy, or plan that has an impact on children and young people up to the age of 18, or on a specific group of these? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact and the provision that has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the relevant Articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). If Yes, has a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) been carried out? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 75 of 80
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APPENDIX 1 Profile of Category B Directors Proposed for Re-appointment to Routes to Work Limited Board: 1. Robert King, Clyde & Co. Robert King, Clyde & Co.Robert is a consultant with Clyde and Co, an international law firm, and is qualified in both Scottish & English law. He was accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Employment Law in 2009 and as a Specialist in Discrimination Law in 2015. In addition to employment law, Robert is also experienced in the professional regulatory field and in 2021 the Scottish Social Services Council appointed him as a Legally Qualified Chair on its Fitness to Practise panels. Robert is the Chair of the Routes to Work Board of Directors and also sits on the Routes to Work HR sub-committee to which he brings knowledge and experience of employment law and HR related issues. 2. Liz McCutcheon, Inspirent Ltd. As the Chief Executive of Inspirent Ltd, a third sector organisation, Liz provides strategic direction for Inspirent’s activities, the predominant activity being the provision of economic development support for Small to Medium Enterprises across Scotland. Specifically, their purpose is to support SMEs and their leaders to start up and grow their businesses, to provide high-quality, well-paid employment so that individuals and communities' flourish. A key channel of Inspirent’s purpose is the delivery of a range of business startup and growth support as well as fund management services to support digital transformation on behalf of the public sector and the Scottish Government. This includes a range of business support via Business Gateway across several local authorities’ areas and Just Enterprise for the third sector. Liz has over 20 years of experience gained at a strategic level, operating in economic development and as a director in the private sector and sits on the main board of Routes to Work as well as the Governance sub-committee. 3. Martin McGuire, WorldSkills UK Martin is the former Director Scotland of WorldSkills UK and held responsibility for working with Skills bodies, the tertiary education sector, the business community and other stakeholders to harness the impact of international skills development to help deliver more world-class outcomes across the Scottish skills system. Martin has extensive experience in senior management roles in Further Education having previously held the role of Principal at Cumbernauld college, New College Lanarkshire and Adam Smith College in Fife. A Chartered Physicist, having initially lectured in electronic engineering, he is a strong advocate of skills enhancement and STEM participation. Martin is the Vice Chair of the RTW Board of Directors, and he also sits on the Routes to Work HR sub-committee. 4. Kenny Nicholson, Alzheimer Scotland. Kenny Nicholson is Executive Lead for People, Wellbeing & Facilities with Alzheimer Scotland, Scotland’s leading dementia charity. He has over 30 years' experience in human resources management in various positions in local government, housing and private enterprise and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. Kenny is extremely proud to have been Trustee of Routes to Work for the past 14 years and is Chair of the HR Sub-Committee to which he brings his knowledge and experience of HR and employment, as well as his strong interest in wellbeing, equality and diversity related issues. Page 76 of 80
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref JMcK/CPT Date 30/08/24 Contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold From James McKinstry, Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) E-mail McKinstryJ@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07939 281 102 Executive Summary In accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (“GCSOs”), GCSO 21.10 requires a summary report be presented to members with details of contracts awarded since last committee, specifically for the spend range: • over £50,000 but below £500,000 for supplies or services; and, • over £500,000 but below £2,000,000 for works. Recommendations It is recommended that the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee: (1) Acknowledge the contract awards made since last committee reporting cycle. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Programme of Work Transforming Places Item 6 Page 77 of 80
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1. Background 1.1 The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 section 81 requires local authorities to “…make standing orders with respect to the making by them or on their behalf of contracts for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works.”. 1.2 The Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (“GCSOs”) set out the council’s specific procurement procedures and responsibilities at all spend levels, and include the reporting requirements of procurement activity, including contracts awards, to committee for either approval or acknowledgement. 2. Report 2.1 In accordance with GCSO 21.10, this report summarises the contract awards since last committee, specifically for the spend range: • over £50,000 but below £500,000 for supplies or services; and, • over £500,000 but below £2,000,000 for works. 2.2 If you require further information regards the contract awards reported, please refer to the lead service area / Chief Officer detailed in the appendix. 3. Measures of success 3.1 All requirements contracted contribute to either the council’s programme of work and/or fulfil a statutory requirement. 3.2 All contract awards secure best value for the council in accordance with their evaluation criteria. 3.3 All necessary diligence has been undertaken in the evaluation and appointment of contractors. 3.4 All contract awards are logged in the council’s contract register. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 Summary of contracts awarded. James McKinstry Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) 5. Impacts 5.1 Impacts considered as part of the contract award procedures are recorded in the individual contract award reports held by the lead service area. Page 78 of 80
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Summary of Contracts Awarded Appendix 1 Contract Ref NLC-CPT-23-129 Title Cumbernauld Town Centre Client Interface 2024 - 2025 Classification Services Lead Service Area / Chief Officer Pamela Humphries, Chief Officer (Place) Competition Governance by Value The Framework terms & conditions, with adherence to the council’s GCSO 13 on 3rd party frameworks Procurement Route Call-off following Direct Award using Third Party Framework No. of Framework Contractors 19 Award Criteria Best Value assessment, in accordance with the Framework Information Comments This Direct Award was made from the Crown Commercial Services (“CCS”) Estate Management Services (RM6168) framework agreement, Lot 1 – Total Estate Management. Award Details Value £100,000 Contract Duration Initial 12 months with option to extend by a further 6 months Contractor Name Avison Young (UK) Limited Contractor Size Large Company Contractor Location West Midlands Status - Payment of Living Wage? Yes Status - Living Wage Accredited? Yes Impacts this section highlights which impacts were considered for this contract award procedure Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty ☐ HR Policy Impact ☐ Data Protection Impact ☐ Environment / Carbon Impact ☐ Risk Impact ☒ Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact ☐ Financial Impact ☒ Legal Impact ☐ Technology / Digital Impact ☐ Communications Impact ☐ Armed Forces Covenant Duty ☐ Further details regarding these impacts can be obtained from the Lead Service Area / Chief Officer Page 79 of 80
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