Agenda pack
North Lanarkshire Council · 29 August 2022
Back to Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee — 29 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our Ref: Your Ref: Contact: Tel: Fax: E-Mail: Date: Clare Louise McDonald 01698 302028 mcdonaldcl@northlan.gov.uk 18 Aug 2022 Members of the Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Chief Executive’s Office Archie Aitken Head of Legal & Democratic Solutions Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street Motherwell ML1 1AB DX 571701, Motherwell 2 www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Hybrid Meeting of the ENTERPRISE, GROWTH AND FAIR WORK COMMITTEE is to be held within the Council Chamber on Monday, 29 August 2022 at 10:00 am which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions Members : Councillors: D Ashraf, A Bustard, D Crichton, P Di Mascio, K Docherty, K Duffy, H Dunbar, J Hume, P Kelly, A Khan, G Lennon, J Logue, A Magowan, A Masterton, F McNally, M McPake, L Mitchell, L Nolan, G Robinson, A Smith, K Stevenson, R Sullivan, J Toner, S Watson, C Williams. Page 1 of 181
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AGENDA (1) Declarations of Interest in terms of the Ethical Standards in Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 OPERATIONAL (2) City Deal Programme Update (page 7 - 16) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing an update on the current status of North Lanarkshire City Deal Infrastructure sub-projects (copy herewith) (3) Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and Performance Framework - Annual Progress Update (page 17 - 52) Submit report by the Head of Planing and Regeneration providing an update on the progress made toward the implementation and delivery of North Lanarkshire's Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) and associated Action Plan (copy herewith) (4) Clyde Green Freeport Bid Update (page 53 - 62) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing an update on a bid submission by Glasgow City Region member authorities and private sector partners for green freeport status (copy herewith) (5) Business Grants - Business Recovery and Growth Fund (page 63 - 68) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking approval to increase the maximum grant available to applicant businesses under the Back to Business Recovery and Growth Fund scheme (copy herewith) (6) External Funding Update (page 69 - 80) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing an update on external funding including a range of external funding opportunities available for physical regeneration activity and work being undertaken to deliver programmes and projects (copy herewith) (7) Employability - EU Funds Update (page 81 - 86) Submit report by the Head of Education and Families (South) seeking approval to negotiate an extension to the Council's EU funded programme from December 2022 to June 2023, providing an update on the current labour market in North Lanarkshire and outlining the work undertaken by the employability team (copy herewith) (8) UK Shared Prosperity Fund Update (page 87 - 100) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration providing an update on progress and activities being undertaken to develop North Lanarkshire's Investment priorities and interventions for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (copy herewith) Page 3 of 181
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2 CONTRACTS (9) Contract Award Business Intelligence Hub (page 101 - 106) Submit report by the Head of Business and Digital Solutions informing of action taken, under delegated authority, to award the Contract for the Business Intellegence Hub to Agilisys Limited (copy herewith) (10) Contract Award Unix Support Services (page 107 - 112) Submit report by the Head of Business and Digital advising of action taken, under delegated authority to award the contract for Unix Support Services to Datavita Ltd to the value of £148,145 (copy herewith) (11) Contract Award for a Conservation Architect Design Team Framework Agreement (page 113 - 124) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration informing of action taken, under delegated authority to award a Conservation Architect Design Team Framework Agreement to four tenderers, at a maximum value of £3,000,000 (copy herewith) (12) Contract Award Ravenscraig Multidisciplinary Project Services (page 125 - 132) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration advising of action taken to award the Contract for Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure North Multidisciplinary Project Services to Amey OW Limited to the maximum value of £1,992,812 (copy herewith) (13) Contract Award for Ravenscraig Levelling UP Fund - Professional Services for Project Team (page 133 - 144) Submit report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration informing of action taken, under delegated authority, to award two contracts for Ravenscraig Levelling Up Fund for (1) Design and Planning Services to Sweco UK Ltd at the maximum value of £523,976.31 and (2) Project and Contract Management Services to Currie and Brown UK Ltd at the maximum value of £320,130.76 (copy herewith) (14) Contract Award Business and Digital (page 145 - 150) Submit report by the Head of Business and Digital seeking approval to award two contracts for (1) Assistive Technologies Contract to The Access Technology Company at the maximum value of £135,000 and (2) Netcall Annual Maintenance and Support Contract to Netcall Ltd at the maximum value of £157,604 (copy herewith) (15) Contract Award for MTC for Fire Alarms, Smoke Alarms and Protection Systems - Services and Maintenance (page 151 - 156) Submit report by the Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) advising of action taken, under delegated authority to award a Negotiated Tender to provide a repairs and maintenance service for fire alarm systems, sprinklers and smoke vents to Spie Scotshield Limited, at a maximum value of £175,000 (copy herewith) Page 4 of 181
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3 (16) Contract Award for MTC for Fire Alarm, Smoke Alarm and Protection System Service and Maintenance in Non-Domestic Properties 2022-2026 (page 157 - 168) Submit report by the Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) seeking approval to award a contract for Fire Alarm, Smoke Alarm and Protection Systems Service and Maintenance in Non-Domestic Properties 2022-2026 to SPIE Scotshield Limited at a maximum value of £800,000 (copy herewith) (17) Negotiated Tender Procedure - Ventilation Works (page 169 - 174) Submit report by the Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) advising of action taken, under delegated authority to award a Negotiated Tender to Mears LLP for Ventilation Works to provide and improve ventilation in schools at the value of approximately £1,000,000 (copy herewith) (18) Contracts Awarded Below Committee Approval Threshold (page 175 - 181) Submit report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions advising of the contracts awarded between 1 January and 30 June 2022, with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee Approval (copy herewith) Page 5 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref EPT/LN Date 29/08/22 Programme of Work PO21 - City Deal Programme Update From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail Noblely@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Lyndsay Noble, 07970016256 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. Executive Summary The North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme Update report seeks to inform the Committee of the current status of North Lanarkshire City Deal Infrastructure subprojects. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 1) Considers the content of the report and the recent progress of North Lanarkshire City Deal infrastructure subprojects; 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 AGENDA ITEM 2 Page 7 of 181
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1.2 The City Deal programme for North Lanarkshire as part of the Infrastructure Fund comprises the following projects: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements o Eurocentral Park and Ride (To be deferred and Strategic Active Travel to be brought forward) o Orchard farm Roundabout • Glenboig Link Road (complete) • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor o East Airdrie Link Road o Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure o Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange 2. Report 2.1 Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange (MTCTI) 2.1.1 The redevelopment of Motherwell Rail Station by ScotRail’s appointed contractor, Balfour Beatty, is significantly underway however is experiencing delay. The new retaining wall, which will facilitate a widened station concourse, forecourt and new retail unit, has been completed. Work is now progressing on the station frontage and internal concourse area. Access to the station and platforms for passengers will continue to be maintained throughout the improvements. 2.1.2 Balfour Beatty have also been appointed by the council to undertake the improvement works to Muir Street comprising expansion of the bus stop; provision of a new access road to Motherwell Rail Station with new taxi rank and public realm improvements. 2.1.3 Both the Motherwell Rail Station and Muir Street contracts were scheduled to be complete by July 2022. Due to delays in delivering the station contract the works are now expected to continue until the end of the calendar year. The council are working with Balfour Beatty to minimise the impact of delays of the station works on the Muir Street contract and the town centre. It is currently projected that most of the Muir Street works will be completed by September 2022, with the expanded bus stop, and refurbished bus shelter reopened. The remaining works will then be completed after the new station roof is installed and widened station forecourt is complete. This will allow the new station access road and taxi rank to be opened. It is aimed that all works will be completed by early 2023. 2.1.4 Construction access and pedestrian management arrangements are being coordinated between the contracts, to minimise disruption. Some road closures of short duration will be required throughout the Muir Street works to carry out some activities safely. For each road closure, advance notification will be provided to local businesses and the public (through signage on site, website updates and other communication channels). Road closures will be in place at weekends to minimise disruption to the town centre. Officers within the Enterprise Projects Team are working with the communication team at Balfour Beatty and the Motherwell Rail Station Communications Group to ensure that communications are coordinated across both contracts. 2.1.5 A Community Benefits Plan has been agreed with Balfour Beatty for the contract. To date, a number of skills, employability and training initiatives have been delivered, including a careers event, work experience placements and mock interviews. An initiative has been delivered with Our Lady’s High School and a commitment made to Page 8 of 181
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support five local community projects. These projects were identified in consultation with the Motherwell Community Board. 2.2 Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure 2.2.1 The Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project comprises three 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 pedestrians and cyclists • upgrading the A723 for three kilometres from the New Craig Road junction at Ravenscraig to the M8 at Holytown to create a dual carriageway and shared footway/cycleway 2.2.2 The project will be delivered in phases beginning with the new rail bridge for the future connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig. 2.2.3 Since receiving detailed planning permission in September 2021 for the new connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig, Network Rail and the Council have worked jointly to appoint a contractor to build the new bridge crossing of the railway which concluded in February with the approval of the Full Business Case and the contract for these works by GCR City Deal and Enterprise & Growth Committee respectively. 2.2.4 Since their appointment, Story Contracting have been finalising the detailed design of the bridge and preparing the site for construction which will commence in earnest in the summer. The new bridge will be constructed off-line and moved into place during April 2023 during a closure of the railway when the existing track will be lifted, the embankment removed, the bridge moved into position and the embankment and track reinstated. 2.2.5 In preparation for the next phases of works, the project team: • are preparing the detailed specifications and tender documents for the procurement of the new connection from Ravenscraig to Motherwell – the tender will be published in September 2022 for award in 2023, and construction of the road will start next summer following City Deal and Committee approval, and once the bridge is fully complete; • have issued notices for the Compulsory Purchase Order, following technical examination by Transport Scotland, for the remaining land required for the new connection from Ravenscraig to Motherwell – the period for objection runs until 12th August 2022; • continue to seek to negotiate with all other owners and occupiers for the remaining land required to deliver all parts of the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project - acquisitions are reported to, and approved as required by, Finance and Resources Committee; • have published details of the proposals for completing the dualling of Airbles Road and subsequently confirmed that these fall within the Council’s permitted development rights. These proposals will be subject to statutory consultation under Traffic Regulation and Stopping Up orders later this year; and • have appointed the professional team to continue developing the detailed proposals for the dualling of the A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8 at Holytown. This is subject to a separate report to this committee. Page 9 of 181
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2.3 East Airdrie Link Road (EALR) 2.3.1 East Airdrie Link Road will provide a new strategic link between the M8 and south Cumbernauld. Following a detailed Stage 2 option appraisal a preferred route has been agreed. Feedback from Stage 2 public consultation has been reviewed and will help inform the project moving forward. Further public consultation will take place late Summer 22 for 6 weeks on the preferred route and on the environmental report as part of the Strategic Environmental Appraisal. 2.3.2 A section of the preferred route has been realigned to accommodate the proposed Monklands Hospital replacement project. The project team continue to liaise with NHS Lanarkshire to ensure coordination, secure efficiencies and to maximise benefits. 2.3.3 In line with previous approvals, the procurement for professional services to develop and deliver the EALR including design and engineering, cost consultancy, project and contract management together with site supervision and quality control for the preferred route has commenced. The outcome of this procurement activity will be brought back to Committee in line with General Contract Standing Orders. 2.4 Orchard Farm Roundabout 2.4.1 The ‘A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements’ Outline Business Case (OBC) including the Orchard Farm Roundabout has been submitted for approval to 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 roundabout secured Planning consent in January 2020 and supporting technical approvals including a Minute of Agreement with Transport Scotland have been secured by the developer or are in final stages of agreement. 2.4.2 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. 2.4.3 MIRP is a low carbon rail-based infrastructure project with a significant co-located logistic park development. Peter D Stirling Limited (railfreight terminal operator/landowner) and Trustees of ID Meiklam (landowner) seek to develop the Mossend Railfreight Terminal into a European scale railfreight terminal and distribution park with all-electric facilities. MIRP is one of very few sites within the UK that can offer integrated multi-modal logistics of this scale, quality and economic value. MIRP is central to the recent Clyde Green Freeport submission, which is subject to a separate report to this committee. 2.4.4 The OBC will be underpinned by a funding agreement between the council and the developer 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. The infrastructure will be form part of the strategic road network and will fall under the responsibility of Transport Scotland. 2.4.5 A steering group comprising the developer, Scottish Enterprise and North Lanarkshire Council was established in December 2020 to progress the case for public sector investment, develop the city deal business cases and to steer the delivery of the wider MRIP project of which the Orchard Farm roundabout forms an early and critical stage. Page 10 of 181
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2.4.6 Subject to A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements OBC approval, it is proposed to submit the Full Business case (FBC) for the Orchard Farm Roundabout for approval to the GCR Chief Executive’s Group this calendar year. Approval will be sought from the November Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee to submit the FBC to the GCR Chief Executives Group for approval. This would allow for works to commence in spring 2023, with the intention that the works would be complete in April 2024. 2.5 Eurocentral Park and Ride 2.5.1 The scope of the Eurocentral Park and Ride / Share has been under review to examine the potential for the current scheme to be expanded from a traditional park and ride to a Low Carbon Hub (LCH). Consultants, Systra Ltd. were appointed in March 2021 to undertake a 2-part STAG based feasibility study. Part One of the study has recommended that, in light of the initial transport modelling, the future uncertainty of traffic patterns and outstanding strategic transport initiatives/studies, that the provision of a park and ride/low carbon hub should be deferred. 2.5.2 An updated options appraisal for the Eurocentral sub-project has therefore been undertaken, to assess other infrastructure options that can be delivered now to improve sustainable transport connections to Eurocentral/Maxim Office Park and Newhouse from surrounding local areas and the wider region. The need for sustainable transport improvements has been identified, to remove barriers to accessing jobs at these strategic employment locations. 2.6 A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel 2.6.1 The provision of Strategic Active Travel Links, connecting Eurocentral/Maxim Office Park/Newhouse and Mossend to surrounding local communities and local rail stations has been identified as the new preferred option for the Eurocentral sub-project. The Strategic Active Travel routes have been included in the A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements Outline Business Case. This has been prioritised over the Park and Ride to ensure needs can be met now and to maximise the City Deal funding. 2.6.2 The routes identified are to the south of Eurocentral between Bellshill and Newhouse via Holytown and to the north of Eurocentral linking Whifflet rail station with the M8 Cycle Route at Shawhead and leading to Eurocentral and Maxim Office Park. These routes are designated as Strategic Network Routes within the North Lanarkshire Active Travel Strategy. 2.6.3 In total, it is aimed to deliver 10km of shared use walking and cycling routes with City Deal investment. The routes link with other planned active travel route improvements as part of the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access and East Airdrie Link Road projects. There are also opportunities to seek match funding from other external funding sources to expand the scope of the project to connect more communities to employment opportunities. The plan at Appendix 1 illustrates the planned direct city deal investment. 2.6.4 Further feasibility and design work is required to develop the active travel routes. Subject to approval of the A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements OBC, it is planned to appoint consultants to progress detailed design work in early 2023. It is then intended, subject to Committee approval, to submit the sub-project Full Business Case in early 2024 and commence work on site in Spring 2024. It is expected that the work will be completed by March 2025. Page 11 of 181
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3. Measures of success 3.1 As the second largest Local Authority within the GCR, North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses will directly benefit from the City Deal through: • creation of 2,000 new workplace jobs, representing a 1.6% uplift in the future jobs growth forecast for North Lanarkshire; • a significant share of some 15,000 temporary construction jobs anticipated to be generated by the development of the Infrastructure Investment Fund projects – construction being a predominant local employment sector; • estimated 9.2% of North Lanarkshire working age residents having heightened access to employment opportunities within the wider GCR area; • additional tender opportunities as a result of GCR City Deal investment for North Lanarkshire Business and SME’s; • community benefits derived from all GCR City Deal contracts awarded over £50,000; and • a proportionate share of the £2.2bn per annum Gross Value Added (GVA) increase in the GCR area over the lifetime of City Deal, equivalent to 4% uplift in the region. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 - A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 12 of 181
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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? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The North Lanarkshire Council City Deal Programme approved funding allocation across the 3 headline projects is as: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements £6,478,521 • Glenboig Link Road (complete) £6,223,205 • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor £215,696,493 The City Deal funding comprises funding from the GCR City Deal Infrastructure Fund (£148,956,293) and North Lanarkshire Council (£79,441,926). The financial implications of the City Deal Programme are incorporated within the Council’s Long- term Financial Plan and to date budgetary implications have been approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Page 13 of 181
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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? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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 subsequent planning application approvals and procurement. 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 Page 14 of 181
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communication and promote the Motherwell Station redevelopment and the City Deal Muir Street improvements. 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. Page 15 of 181
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Appendix 1 – A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel Page 16 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref ERDP/MH Date 29/08/22 Programme of Work PO18.1 (2) – Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and Performance Framework – Annual Progress Updates From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail hyndsm@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Mark Hynds, Economic Analyst – 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 2021/22. This report also presents the final draft of the ERDP Performance Framework which will now be used to monitor wider ERDP performance over the short (2021/22), medium (end of current ERDP 2023) and long term (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 committee: 1) Acknowledge the content of this report and progress made towards the delivery of the 2021/22 ERDP Action Plan approved by Enterprise and Growth Committee in February 2021 (as detailed in Appendix 1). 2) Acknowledge the wider progress and performance against the current ERDP (2019-2023) and future ERDP activity (as detailed in Appendix 2). 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 AGENDA ITEM 3 Page 17 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 The Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP), approved by the Enterprise & Growth Committee in August 2019, 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 An Action Plan to support the delivery of the ERDP through a range of key measures and investment programmes was also approved by committee at this time and it was agreed that this Action Plan would be updated on an annual basis to reflect progress made to date and the evolving priorities of the council. 1.3 The 2021/22 Action Plan was approved by Enterprise and Growth Committee in February 2021 and the current 2022/23 Action Plan was approved in February 2022. 1.4 An accompanying ERDP Performance Framework was developed and 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. 1.5 The ERDP Framework is consistent with The Plan for North Lanarkshire’s Strategic Performance Framework 2. Report 2.1 ERDP 2.1.1 North Lanarkshire’s 2019-2023 ERDP sets out the council’s plans for inclusive economic growth. Overall, the ERDP has four integrated core objectives. These are to: • increase housing supply across all tenures to meet our current and future housing requirements and support our wider regeneration objectives; • support the regeneration of our town centres through the development of long- term Vision Plans and strategic projects; • develop our strategic infrastructure to support the physical and economic regeneration of North Lanarkshire; and • enable and promote the provision of good quality industrial and office space in the right locations to help attract and retain businesses and improve our economic output. 2.1.2 To support the delivery of these objectives, annual ERDP Action Plans has been developed each financial year so far. 2.2 Action Plan – Performance Review 2.2.1 Appendix 1 provides an update on the ERDP Action Plan objectives and targets achieved during 2021/22. 2.2.2 As demonstrated by this update, good progress has been made during 2021/22 against targets with highlights including: • the delivery of an additional 212 new affordable homes via the New Supply Programme, taking completions to 1,494 on 31 March 2022; Page 18 of 181
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• the final Town Visions, which set out the overarching strategy for development within our town centres, were developed and approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee in September 2021; • £5.58m external investment secured (by NLC and Fusion Assets) for industrial and business use; • 14 new industrial units constructed at Orbiston Street, Motherwell with one unit going to New College Lanarkshire as part of an entrepreneurial start up scheme; • £1.8m Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) funding secured for the construction of start-up units, upgrading of existing NLP units and infrastructure improvements throughout Braidhurst Industrial Estate; • contractors appointed and works commenced on site to improve Motherwell Town Centre transport interchange to support active and sustainable travel; • Commsworld appointed to deliver connectivity services for the council and to deliver enhanced connectivity outcomes across North Lanarkshire for residents and businesses; and • significant progress made on the delivery of key infrastructure projects such as the Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure being developed as part of the City Deal Programme. 2.3 The ERDP Performance Framework also highlights significant progress in improving economic opportunities and outcomes for North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses with highlights, at 31 March 2022, including: • 457 homes brought into council ownership via the Open Market Purchase Scheme, including some homes previously sold under the Right to Buy • A total of £66m invested in town centre (including edge of town) developments, with £30.5m external funding secured as part of this investment. Town centre sites repurposed and redeveloped include: o The creation of community allotments at Hillrigg, via funding through the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund and Place Based Investment Programme funds. o A new 2.3km green route, enabling people to walk and cycle across Cumbernauld. The path runs from Abronhill to the town centre, connecting local communities with local facilities o 1,372 new affordable town centre homes completed (including edge of town sites) via NLC and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). This includes 16 new affordable homes at Roberts Street (Belhaven House), Wishaw and 27 new homes at Caledonian Avenue, Bellshill. o 69,910 sq. ft of commercial workspace created or refurbished as a result of investment by NLC, Fusion Assets and NLP across North Lanarkshire 3. Measures of success 3.1 The annual ERDP Action Plan contains various delivery targets. This report provides an end year update on the targets set within the 2021/22 action plan. A series of targets are also contained within the current 2022/23 action plan which was approved by committee in February 2022. 3.2 A robust ERDP Performance Framework has now been established and contains a series of key performance indicators, with short, medium, and long-term targets attached as the operational measures of success. Page 19 of 181
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4. Supporting documentation Appendix 1 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan – 2021/22 Action Plan - End Year Updates Appendix 2 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan Performance Framework – 2020/21 End Year Update Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 20 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? 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 have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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 ☒ Page 21 of 181
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If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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 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 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. Page 22 of 181
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Appendix 1: Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan – 2021/22 Action Plan - End Year Updates Theme: Live Priority 1: We will help deliver the homes North Lanarkshire needs to grow Key Action Milestone Target Update RAG Ensure our future housing mix supports social inclusion and economic growth Deliver the New Supply Programme 2021/22 – 300 new council homes (including Open Market Purchase Scheme (OMPS)) 2035 – 5,000 new council homes (including OMPS) 212 new council homes completed during 2021/22 As at end of 2021/22, 1,494 new council homes completed (including OMPS). A further 363 homes are currently under construction. A Enable the private sector to support the delivery of the New Supply Programme 2023 - Progress delivery of acquisitions of new build housing from the private sector through the Development Pathfinder approach and other partnership arrangements Orrs project in Airdrie now on site (20 homes). In discussion at a number of locations for further off-the-shelf purchases. G Prepare and support the delivery of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) Annual - Annual SHIP prepared which identifies suitable deliverable sites to meet Local Housing Strategy priorities and maximise the use of available Scottish Government investment SHIP formally approved in February 2022. Scottish Gov Outturn Report for 21/22 to be published in Q3 22/23. SHIP (2023/24 - 2027/28) currently being developed. Due for submission in October 2022. G Ensure our homes are sustainable, digitally connected and fit for purpose Develop demonstrator projects which support the council’s ambition for digitally connected and carbon neutral living 2023 - Develop interactive smart home standard for use in new build homes In progress - due to complete by March 2023. G Develop and implement pilot approach for ‘Low Carbon Living’ at Holehills development Project currently on site in Airdrie - 19 homes designed to achieve net zero. G Page 24 of 181
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Theme: Invest Priority 2: We will reshape and repopulate our town centres Key Action Milestone Target Update RAG Develop and deliver aspirational visions for the future of each of our town centres Develop town centre vision plans 2021 - Finalise the development of town centre vision plans in consultation with key stakeholders and communities The final Town Visions were presented to and approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee in September 2021. The visions are available on the NLC website and set the overarching strategy for development within our town centres. G Progress the development of Action Plans for each of our town centres (to support the delivery of the Visions and guide strategic investment and development across our towns) 2022 - Complete and seek approval for a minimum of one town centre action plan (subsequently rolling out agreed format across remaining seven town centres) To reflect corporate priorities and staff resources it has been agreed to proceed with four Town Action Plans (TAPs) in this financial year (2022/23), with TAPs for Cumbernauld, Airdrie, Motherwell, and Wishaw. Briefings for elected members are scheduled for August 2022 with the draft TAP’s being co- developed with the local community through a series of workshops in each of the four towns between August and October 2022. The draft TAPs will then be published for open public engagement and consultation in November 2022. It is hoped to present a completed TAP to the first cycle of committees in 2023. A 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 that will Develop and implement plans to repurpose or redevelop vacant, derelict, or unused priority buildings and sites within our town centres 2022 - Develop options for the delivery of seven priority town centre projects to ensure NLC have ‘shovel ready’ projects that can help secure Scottish Government planned investment for ‘Town Centres’ and ‘Place’ over the next 5 years as outlined within Scotland’s Infrastructure Investment Plan (2020). These pipeline projects will include: • Main Street (Coatbridge) • Airdrie Town House • Bellshill FSS, Registry Office & Money Advice Centre • Kings house (Wishaw) • Progressing design options for Main Street. • Completed feasibility for Airdrie Town House. • Bellshill feasibility complete and currently doing further survey works. • Kings House and Methodist church demolitions complete in preparation for construction works. • Acquired the former Masonic Hall, Motherwell and currently considering options for the redevelopment of this site. • Acquired the Thornlie Church Hall, Wishaw and currently exploring redevelopment options at this site. • Identified/Progressing with other sites (negotiations with owners and design works) G Page 25 of 181
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support the delivery of the town visions • Former Methodist Church (Wishaw) • Two identified key sites in Wishaw and Motherwell Town Centres (not currently in NLC ownership) 2023 - 630 new town centre homes completed via Affordable Housing Supply Programme (2019/20 to 2022/23) Progress continues with 485 town centre homes (including edge of town) delivered between 2019/20 and 2021/22. This includes via the New Supply Programme and via RSL’s. G Ensure our investment in town centres contribute to the council’s ambitions for carbon reduction and digital connectivity Integrate, where possible, town centre developments as part of the council’s digital anchor tenant model 2022 - Identify where possible potential anchor tenant properties within each town centre As part of the council’s digital connectivity strategy and the associated connectivity framework awarded to Commsworld, the initial focus of the first 18months (from Feb22) is the implementation of a new council wide area network (WAN), which basically connects required council buildings and sites onto this new fibre infrastructure. Delivered over this 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. Town centres currently benefit from a public Wi-Fi service, and this will continue to be used as the work on the WAN is prioritised over the next 12months and then subsequently replaced with the new modern single service shortly thereafter. R Incorporate digital infrastructure as part of town centre projects 2022 - Incorporate the provision of digital infrastructure within all design and works tenders for town centre active travel projects The Enterprise Projects/City Deal team will be working with the digital team to explore how digital infrastructure can be incorporated into current and future active travel projects. G Develop a town centre EV charging demonstrator project that can be rolled out across our town centres 2022 - Take forward a full application to the Scottish Government’s Switched on Towns & Cities Fund (subject to the continuation of this grant programme) This fund has not reopened since 2019/20 and therefore an application has not been submitted. However, NLC is currently working regionally to develop an EV charging strategy for the Glasgow City Region. Each local authority was awarded £60k to produce a new strategy and this has been pooled across the region. The strategy is likely to be submitted to Transport Scotland in late 2022. R Page 26 of 181
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The EV charging strategy will enable access to a £30m fund over the next four years with the aim to reduce dependency on Government Funding and increase private investment and commercially operated EV charging. Support the delivery of North Lanarkshire’s Active Travel Strategy Progress the development and delivery of ‘Local Neighbourhood Active Travel Routes’ and proposals for ’20 Minute Neighbourhoods’ 2023 - Design and develop Local Neighbourhood Active Travel Routes (supporting anticipated investment of £1.3m for the upgrade/creation of an anticipated 6km of key town centre routes by 2023) Ravenscraig Active Travel Link Phase 2 due to commence on site Autumn 2022, completion projected by May/June 2023. Investment estimated at circa £1.4M. Motherwell Station Active Travel Links Phase 1 to be delivered by Summer 2023 with investment estimated at circa £850k. G Theme: Work Priority 3: We will enable our people and businesses to thrive Key Action Milestone Target Update RAG Maximise the use of our marketable land and assets through the development of business and industrial infrastructure Improve the provision of high-quality business and industrial space either directly or through our ALEOs and Joint Ventures 2023 - NLC investment of a minimum of £2m for key business and industrial infrastructure projects between 2021/22 and 2022/23 £0.81m invested in 2021/22 including the construction of 14 new industrial units at Orbiston Street, Motherwell. The redevelopment of Braidhurst industrial estate will commence in 2022/23. G 2023 - 2.5ha of land improved or developed (by NLC/NLC ALEO) for industrial or business use between 2021/22 and 2022/23 2021/22 - 0.46ha improved or developed It is anticipated that Fusion Assets will improve or develop 3.69ha in 2022/23, relating to Gartcosh Phase 3 and Phase 4. G 2023 - £5.5m external investment secured (by NLC/NLC ALEO) for business and industrial infrastructure between 2021/22 and 2022/23 2021/22 - £5.58m secured This includes £1.74m Scottish Government RCGF funding for Orbiston Street and £3.848m secured by Fusion Assets and invested at Gartcosh. A further £1.8m has been secured via the Scottish Government’s RCGF for Braidhurst industrial estate. It is anticipated that this will be spent during 2022/23 and 2023/24. G Page 27 of 181
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2023 - 64,000sq. ft of new business and industrial workspace completed (by NLC/NLC ALEO) between 2021/22 and 2022/23 2021/22 - 51,910 sq. ft of new business and industrial workspace completed This includes 40,500 sq. ft at Gartcosh (buildings 2 & 3) and 11,410 sq. ft at Orbiston Street, Motherwell. A further 47,500 sq. ft at Newhouse is due to be completed during 2022/23. G Enable private sector investment for business and industrial infrastructure 2023 - Work with Fusion Assets to procure joint venture private sector investment partners for a minimum of two new industrial/office developments 1 joint venture is currently agreed but subject to funding the other was delivered via a Development Agreement incorporating land sale and profit share arrangement rather than JV. G Ongoing - Ensure a pipeline of industrial/office development projects is in place for making use of NLC’s annual VDLF allocation for enabling works Projects at Phase 3 & 4 at Gartcosh underway plus projects at Gartcosh identified with possible future phases. Other development projects identified by Fusion subject to funding being available. G 2022 - Explore options for alternative capital investment required to support enabling works delivered through Fusion Assets to avoid their over-reliance on the need for VDLF support (which remains subject to inclusion within the Scottish Government’s annual Financial Settlement) Fusion have entered into discussions with Scottish National Investment Bank as well as a number of alternative lenders with regards to loan finance for developments. These discussions relate to existing portfolio of projects rather than future pipeline. G 2022 - Develop the business case required to support the capital investment required to assist Fusion Assets to accelerate industrial/office construction works through JV partnerships Initial Project Brief prepared for capital grant to Fusion Assets to inject further capital funding. Although a business case has been developed, the funding has been put on hold due to other priorities in town centres. This is subject to future funding availability. A Page 28 of 181
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Ensure our investment activities deliver inclusive growth Support investment in local business infrastructure that will support the growth of micro-businesses and SMEs (particularly within recognised areas of need) 2021 - Complete the construction of 14 industrial start-up incubator units at Orbiston Street Industrial Estate in partnership with NLP 14 new industrial units were complete and became operational in November 2021. One unit has been provided to New College Lanarkshire as part of an entrepreneurial start up scheme. G 2023 - Deliver a regeneration scheme for Braidhurst Industrial Estate that can be used as a demonstrator project which can be rolled out for the renewal of older/edge of town industrial estates across North Lanarkshire NLC has been awarded £1.8m via the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Alongside additional contributions from NLC and NLP, new start-up units will be constructed on a parcel of vacant and derelict land alongside the upgrading and refurbishment of NLP owned units and infrastructure improvements throughout the estate. G Ongoing - Ensure that NLC retain a pipeline of ‘shovel ready’ community-based business and industry projects that can meet the spend criteria and timescales of community based external funding programmes such as the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund scheme. Potential funding bid in pipeline by Fusion subject to Ravenscraig acquisition. £5m allocated towards the redevelopment of Braidhurst Industrial Estate. This includes the £1.8M Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) funding secured and will include the refurbishment of six existing small units and the construction of 10 new start up industrial units. G Support investment in infrastructure to ensure that key business locations are digitally connected and that jobs are accessible to local communities Ongoing - Incorporate the provision of digital infrastructure for all design and works tenders for business and industrial development As part of the development of new industrial units and wider site upgrades to Braidhurst industrial estate, new infrastructure will be installed to ensure that businesses can connect to high-speed broadband. Works will commence in 2023. This project will realise Braidhurst’s potential as well as acting as a demonstrator project for the modernisation of similar small-scale industrial estates across North Lanarkshire. G Support investment in infrastructure that will 2022 - Undertake feasibility works for the development of a ‘Construction Academy’ that will be used to support the construction An options appraisal is currently being undertaken on the establishment of a construction academy. This is due to be complete September 2022. G Page 29 of 181
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support training and up- skilling related employment and training opportunities to be provided through the ESCP Theme: Invest Priority 4: We will connect North Lanarkshire Key Action Milestone Target Update RAG Deliver the City Deal Programme Develop Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure to support the redevelopment of Ravenscraig and connect the M74 to M8 as part of Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor 2022 - Final approval (by City Deal Board) and works commence 2025 – Project completion 2021/22 - Project Development stage - design and enabling works progressed FBC for the West Coast Mainline Crossing approved. WCML works on site. Tender for Motherwell to Ravenscraig works to be issued Autumn 2022. G Construct East Airdrie Link Road as a key North South route as part of the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor 2023 - Commencement of procurement for main works contractor 2024 – Final approval (by City Deal Board) and works commence 2025 – Project completion GI contract works complete. Preferred Option selected. Tender for Stage 3 consultants to be issued in Q2 22/23. OBC submission now 2023. Works to commence 2025. G Improve Motherwell Town Centre transport interchange to support active and sustainable travel 2021 - Completion of station works 2021 - Procurement of forecourt/Main Street works 2022 – Completion of works Contractor (Balfour Beatty) appointed and works commenced on site. Works are underway on site however there have been delays to progress. Completion currently projected for Q4 22/23, subject to ongoing discussions with the contractor and ScotRail. A Contribute to the installation of Orchard Farm roundabout to support development on the A8/M8 2021 - Outline Business Case to be submitted to the City Deal Cabinet Project development stage - stakeholder/ partner engagement Outline Business Case submitted to City Deal PMO in June 22 for approval by Cabinet in August 22 G Develop Eurocentral Park & Ride to improve A8/M8 corridor access and support local business opportunities 2021 - Outline Business Case to be submitted to the City Deal Cabinet Eurocentral Transport Study completed. Revised preferred option selected (Strategic Active Travel routes). Revised Outline Business Case G Page 30 of 181
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submitted to City Deal PMO in June 22 for approval by Cabinet in August 22 Ensure our investment infrastructure contributes to the council’s ambitions for carbon reduction Support the delivery of EV infrastructure across North Lanarkshire and at key transport locations 2021 - Establish a NLC officer working group to co-ordinate the development of an EV Charging Strategy for North Lanarkshire NLC officer working group established, chaired by Roads and Land Maintenance Manager. G 2021 - Review delivery of EV charging provided through Project PACE to help support delivery of future EV charging Strategy and roll-out It is intended that a progress update on project PACE will be issued to committee in November 2022. G 2021 - Complete feasibility works for the development of a low-carbon EV charging hub at Eurocentral Park & Ride Part 1 of feasibility study complete. Further project development work has been deferred due to current low demand projections from Part 1 modelling. Subject to the NLC City Deal A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements OBC approval by GCR Cabinet it is intended to bring forward Strategic Active Travel proposals connecting Coatbridge and Bellshill with Maxim, Eurocentral and Newhouse. Development work will take place over 2022/23 and 2023/24. A Deliver a world-class digital infrastructure across North Lanarkshire 2021/22 - Procure a long-term connectivity delivery partner to provide connectivity services for the council and to deliver enhanced connectivity outcomes across North Lanarkshire for residents and businesses Commsworld Ltd were appointed to deliver connectivity services in February 2022. Work in underway to mobilise the call-off contracts within the framework. G 2021/22 - Develop pilot schemes as part of the procurement in areas such as Smart Business, Smart Homes, Smart Park, Smart Streets Four Proof-of-Concepts proposals were submitted as part of the tender proposal. These Proof-of- Concept proposals are currently being reviewed. G Page 31 of 181
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Appendix 2 Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) Performance Framework Version 2: July 2022 Page 32 of 181
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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 181
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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: • 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. • 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. • 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 (2021/22 financial year), by the end of the current ERDP cycle (2022/23) and longer-term (2035). Targets are cumulative from the Page 34 of 181
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baseline onwards (not additional to previous target). For example, the 1,400 Open Market Purchase Scheme completions by 2035 includes the 689 completions which have been targeted by 2023. Relevant teams across Enterprise & Communities 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. ERDP Performance Framework: Level 1 The North Lanarkshire Economic Context Indicator Baseline Latest available update Measuring this indicator will tell us if we have What success looks like Intended direction of travel North Lanarkshire Commentary Growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) (income approach) 2016 NL +3.7% Scotland +3.2% 2020 NL +0.3% Scotland -2.6% Increased our economic output Continued economic growth in this area The latest data published shows that GVA growth remains positive in NL suggesting the economy continues to improve. This is in comparison to a decline in growth nationally over the same period. The 0.3% increase in NL does however reflect the pre-pandemic period where there was strong economic growth; these figures do not yet reflect the impact of the pandemic and, as such, will continue to be monitored. Looking at regional GVA balanced by industry at current prices NL has seen a rise from £8,054 million in 2019 to a provisional £8,076 million in 2020, which reflects growth of 0.3%. Page 35 of 181
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Indicator Baseline Latest available update Measuring this indicator will tell us if we have What success looks like Intended direction of travel North Lanarkshire Commentary Gross weekly pay (residents) – full time employees 2018 NL £548.90 Scotland £562.70 2021 NL £597.60 Scotland £622.00 Increased the earnings of people who live in North Lanarkshire. Earnings for people who live in NL continue to grow on a par with national levels. While wages have risen steadily for the people who live in NL, this has been at a lesser rate than average earnings for Scotland and GB. The gap between NL and Scotland earnings dropped from £20.80 per week in 2002 to £9.90 per week in 2019. However 2020 figures show this gap had increased to £14.50 per week, and 2021 figures show this gap has increased to £24.40 per week. % of all people economically active in employment (16- 64 years) Oct 2017/Sept 2018 NL 77.8% Scotland 77.6% Jan to Dec 2021 NL 71.1% Scotland 76.2% Increased the number of our residents in employment (or actively seeking employment) More people aged 16 to 64 living in NL are economically active and contributing to the local / national economy After a period of relative stability, the proportion of the working age population who are economically active in NL started to show a decline as at September 2020 and this has continued to and is reflected in the latest annual figure for 2021. National figures show the beginnings of an increase from September 2021. At the time this suggested the figures were starting to show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure at September 2021 showed a small encouraging increase to 71.3%. However the overall annual figure has settled at 71.1%. Data is published quarterly for this measure and will continue to be Page 36 of 181
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Indicator Baseline Latest available update Measuring this indicator will tell us if we have What success looks like Intended direction of travel North Lanarkshire Commentary monitored to see if this upward trend continues. The upward trend in this indicator provides an interesting narrative when considered alongside the downward trend in the % of working age people claiming benefits % of VAT/PAYE registered businesses that survive for at least three years 2016 NL 58.7% Scotland 62.1% 2020 NL 50.9% Scotland 55.9% Increased and sustained our new businesses More locally generated and incoming businesses being created, surviving and sustaining in the longer-term. Business survival rates in NL had picked up in 2019 after a decline in 2018. However, this requires to be considered within the context of self-employment rates. This shows a drop in the % of NL residents in self-employment from 6.8% in 2014 to 3.7% in 2021. This mirrors (albeit to a greater extent) the national trend for the most recent 2 years of data, where rates decreased from 8% in 2014 to 7.5% in 2021. These figures don’t yet fully reflect the impact of the pandemic and, as such, will continue to be monitored. % of working age people (16-64) claiming one or more of the key benefits Dec 2018 NL 3.6% Scotland 2.8% Jun 2022 NL 3.6% Scotland 3.2% Reduced the number of our residents reliant on employment related benefits All of NLs residents capable of working are sustaining employment. From a baseline of 3.6% in 2018, figures for NL have shown a year on year increase up to 5.5% in August 2021. This is in line with the national trend, and at this time it was expected that figures were starting to show the impact of the pandemic as the NL claimant count was 45% higher than March Page 37 of 181
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Indicator Baseline Latest available update Measuring this indicator will tell us if we have What success looks like Intended direction of travel North Lanarkshire Commentary 2020 (pre-pandemic level). However, the latest figures as at June 2022 show a continued small and encouraging decrease, with 3.6% of the working age people now claiming one or more of the key benefits. Data is published quarterly for this measure and will continue to be monitored to see if this downward trend continues. The downward trend in this indicator provides an interesting narrative when considered alongside the trend in the % of all people economically active. Page 38 of 181
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ERDP Performance Framework: Level 2 Improving economic opportunities and outcomes for all Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term - ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target Estimated number of gross 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 operational. Therefore, these figures are reported as Person Year Equivalents (PYEs) rather than Full-time Equivalents (FTEs). 563 1,011 1,040 Green 1,543 6,497 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. This indicator is currently under development to ensure a robust methodology for target setting and reporting progress towards this. Page 39 of 181
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Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term - ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target Estimated number of net additional full- time equivalents (FTEs) 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 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. 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. This indicator is currently under development to ensure a robust methodology for target setting and reporting progress towards this. Number of training places created The number of training places created via community benefit clauses as a result of investment in physical infrastructure contracts awarded by NLC and our ALEOs across North Lanarkshire. This indicator is currently under development to ensure a robust methodology for target setting and reporting progress towards this. 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: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2020/21 - Latest published data shows that North Lanarkshire’s town centre vacancy rate was 18.7%, above the Scottish average of 9.2%. Page 40 of 181
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Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term - ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target % 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 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. 65.7% Year: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2020/21 - Latest published data shows that 71.3% of North Lanarkshire’s employment land was ‘immediately available’. This is significantly higher than the Scottish average of 39.2%. 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 commercial planning application decisions (i.e., for a business and industry). 6.9 weeks Year: 2017/18 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only and therefore no targets have been set. 2020/21 – North Lanarkshire 13.5 weeks, compared to a Scottish average of 11.1 weeks Page 41 of 181
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Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term - ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target 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. 2020 – North Lanarkshire – 97.8% / Scotland 90.1% Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions 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. 7.5t per capita Year: 2014 This measure will be used for benchmarking purposes only. 2019 – North Lanarkshire 5.3 tCO2 / Scotland 5.7 tCO2 Page 42 of 181
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ERDP Performance Framework: Level 3 Day to day operations Priority 1: We will help deliver the homes North Lanarkshire needs to grow 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 Programme of Work P013 - New Supply Programme) 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). As a significant proportion of the council’s housing stock is within multi-storey blocks, the new supply programme is an integral part of the Programme of Work P014 - Tower Strategy. The first phase of the re-provisioning programme will potentially see all the council’s tower blocks demolished, together with a number of low-rise blocks of flats, over the next 20 to 25 years. 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? Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term – ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target Number of new build council house completions The number of new build house completions via the council’s New 633 Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 972 934 Amber 1,205 3,600 New Supply Page 43 of 181
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Supply housing 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 – 2018/19 509 457 Amber 689 1,400 New Supply Household connectivity capacity The % of new build housing (via the New Supply Programme) with high quality digital infrastructure capacity. High quality digital infrastructure refers to a property being fibre broadband or 5G enabled. 79% Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 86% 86% Green 89% 96% New Supply Page 44 of 181
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Priority 2: We will reshape and repopulate our town centres Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment A key priority within the Programme of Work, P018.1 - Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP), 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. Key Performance Indicator What does this tell us? Note: These figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term – ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target Investment made in town centres developments The amount (£) invested in North Lanarkshire’s key town centres to enable sites to be re-purposed or re- developed. This includes NLC investment and external funding sources. £26.0M Year 2010/11 – 2018/19 £63.5M £66.0M Green £86.5M £299.5M Growth / New Supply External funding secured for town centre The amount (£) of external funding secured for town £10.3M £30.4M £30.5M Green £39.9M £125.9M Growth / New Supply Page 45 of 181
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regeneration projects (including town centre active travel projects) centre regeneration projects (including town centre active travel projects) in North Lanarkshire’s key town centres. Year 2010/11 – 2018/19 Number of key town centre buildings and/or sites re-purposed or re-developed The number of existing buildings or vacant sites within North Lanarkshire’s key town centres, which have been re-purposed or redeveloped. 34 Year: 2010/11- 2018/19 53 53 Green 57 92 Growth / New Supply/ Number of new affordable housing developments within town centres (or edge of town) The number of units either converted to residential or new build house completions via the NL New Supply Programme, NLC Growth Programme and SHIP within North Lanarkshire’s 8 key town centres. Edge of town is defined as within a 10-minute walk, as 887 new affordable town centre homes completed Years: 2010/11 – 2018/19 1,402 1,372 Amber 1,492 2,526 New Supply/ Growth/ RSLs Page 46 of 181
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per Sustrans 20- minute neighbourhood definition. Priority 3: We will enable our people and businesses to thrive 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 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? Note: these figures are cumulative and not additional to each other Lead Team(s) Baseline Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term – ERDP Review (By 31 March 2023) Long term (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual Target Target Investment made towards the The amount (£) invested in £0.524M £1.3M £1.334M £5.1M £13.3M Fusion Assets / Growth/ Page 47 of 181
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development of business and industrial infrastructure business and industry zoned land or upgrades to existing business and industrial infrastructure across North Lanarkshire. This includes NLC and ALEO funding only. Year: 2018/19 Green NLP 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 £6.8M £6.924M Green £17.6M £39.7M 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. 3.61 ha Year: 2018/19 4.07 ha 4.07 ha Green 6.34 ha 11.73 ha Fusion Assets / NLP/ Growth Sq. ft of commercial The amount (square footage) of commercial 18,000 sq. ft Year: 2018/19 69,000 sq. ft 69,910 sq. ft Green 117,410 sq. ft 459,410 sq. ft Fusion Assets / NLP/ Growth Page 48 of 181
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workspace created or refurbished workspace created or refurbished as a result of investment by NLC, Fusion Assets or NLP across North Lanarkshire. Priority 4: We will connect North Lanarkshire Why is this set of indicators of interest? The Plan for North Lanarkshire ambition statement alignment The Programme of Work P021 - City Deal 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 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 Short term (By 31 March 2022) Medium term – ERDP Review Long term Lead Team(s) Page 49 of 181
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(By 31 March 2023) (By 31 March 2035) Target Actual 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 £20.7m Year 2019/20 = £1.44m Year 2020/21 = £2.96m Year 2021/22 = £9.5m £20.7m Green £45.93m £238.5m City Deal 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 5 5 Green 8 21 City Deal Km of active travel routes enhanced or created. The amount (Km) of active travel routes which link communities, arterial routes and transport hubs with town centres and key business 3km Year: 2018/19 7.8 km 7.8km Green 20km 300km Roads / City Deal / Growth Page 50 of 181
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locations in North Lanarkshire. Page 51 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref CGF/AC Date 29/08/22 Clyde Green Freeport Bid Update From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail conrya@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Allan Conry, Enterprise Development Manager – 07583 058110 Executive Summary This report provides an update on a bid submission by Glasgow City Region (GCR) member authorities and private sector partners for green freeport status. This follows approval from the Enterprise and Growth Committee on 26th August 2021 that North Lanarkshire Council should participate in the preparation and submission of such a bid. A green freeport is defined as a large, zoned area within a defined boundary which includes a rail, sea and/or airport. It is anticipated that green freeport operators and businesses in the zone would benefit from a package of tax and customs incentives. It is also expected that they would adopt Fair Work First criteria, ensuring that employees are paid fairly, and be fully committed to achieving net zero emissions. There will be two green freeport bids selected in Scotland through a competitive bidding process. Officers from North Lanarkshire Council have worked with Glasgow City Region partner authorities, along with representatives from private sector businesses associated with some of the principal infrastructure facilities to form a green freeport bid in the GCR under the brand Clyde Green Freeport (CGF). Clyde Green Freeport is a tri-modal bid covering air, sea and rail that will double capacity to take products from across Scotland to the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond. Central to the bid is a decarbonisation plan which would accelerate the Scottish and UK Government’s net zero ambitions. Specifically, Clyde Green Freeport seeks to: • Create up to 30,000 new jobs (45,000 including construction jobs). • Attract £2.5 billion of capital investment. • Transform 600 hectares of vacant, derelict, and underdeveloped land. • Generate £18 billion uplift in GVA to 2034; and • Deliver an extensive decarbonisation plan to be net zero by 2040. AGENDA ITEM 4 Page 53 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 Based on the UK Government's Freeports Bidding Prospectus for England, a draft Applicant Prospectus for Scotland was published which set out the key elements where the Scottish Government adapted the Freeports model for England to fit with the Scottish context, applying Scottish Government priorities to create a ‘green port’ model. 1.2 The freeport concept has been in existence for some time around the world. There are an estimated 3,000 such designations worldwide. They tend to be located primarily at seaports and operate as secure custom zones where, although inside the country’s border, are subject to bespoke custom and tax arrangements aimed at bringing benefits to the competitiveness of the companies located there who import, manufacture, process and export goods. 1.3 Goods that move into and out of a country are normally subject to tariffs (duty) payable to that country. Goods that arrive into designated freeports are normally exempt from such tariffs. Although these locations often offer reductions in regulatory and administration burdens for businesses, they are designed to incentivise private investment in the locality and create jobs and other economic benefits for the adjacent local economies. If the goods are then moved elsewhere in the UK, they would be subject to the normal tariffs and therefore any such designation in Scotland needs to be specifically defined. 1.4 The UK Government consulted on the principle of establishing 10 new freeports across the UK in February 2020. At launch the UK Government set out a desire to have at least one freeport in Scotland. 1.5 At the March 2021 UK Budget, the UK Government announced 8 locations for new freeports in England. The designation of such zones is a devolved matter. The English locations selected from a total of 18 bids were: • East Midlands Airport • Felixstowe and Harwich • Humber region • Liverpool City Region • Plymouth • Solent • Thames • Teesside Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee consider the contents of this report and the submission of the Clyde Green Freeport bid. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (3) Maximise the use of our marketable land and assets through improved development in business and industrial infrastructure Page 54 of 181
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1.6 The publication of the Scottish prospectus was delayed due to the Scottish elections in May 2021, as well as awaiting sign-off on elements from the UK Government. The final prospectus was published on 25th March 2022 and confirmed 2 Green Freeports would be awarded in Scotland following a competitive bidding process. 2. Report 2.1 Following approval from North Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise and Growth Committee on 26th August 2021, and following the publication of the Prospectus by the UK and Scottish Governments in March, officers from the Glasgow City Region (GCR) and key private sector partners at Glasgow Airport, Clydeport and Mossend International Railfreight Park worked together, with the support of Mott McDonald consultants, to prepare a Green Freeport bid. 2.2 The prospectus for bidders who wish to establish a Green Freeport in Scotland was published in partnership by the Scottish and UK Governments on the 25th March 2022. The co-designed Green Freeport model seeks to deliver on 4 main objectives, all of which need to be met by applicants: • Promote regeneration and high-quality job creation – the lead policy objective • Promote decarbonisation and a just transition to a net zero economy • Establish hubs for global trade and investment • Foster an innovative environment 2.3 In addition to the 4 main objectives, a key focus of the Green Freeport model is to stimulate a (net) growth in the number of jobs in the designated area. The Clyde Green Freeport proposal is seeking to create of up to 30,000 new jobs (plus 15,000 construction jobs) within GCR. 2.4 Bidders were also required to offer a clear sectoral focus to their offer and build on existing industrial clusters and to submit a clear and ambitious plan for decarbonisation alongside distinct evidence that the plans will result in additional investment and increased trade from existing companies or new ones moving into the area. 2.5 As outlined in the prospectus, bidders were required to include at least one customs site within their proposals and up to three tax sites. It should be noted that any financial incentives for the tax sites will only apply to new development and/or investment i.e., for sites that are currently undeveloped or where a building is refurbished or redeveloped as part of the plans. They do not apply to existing business properties that will remain unchanged. 2.6 Should green freeport status be achieved then a range of potential financial incentives can be made available to the designated tax sites, subject to agreement of details with HMRC, including: • Relief from Land and Building Transaction Tax for 5 years for qualifying investments; • Enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA); • Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA): for companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets; • Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICS) relief for certain employees working in the tax site up to a maximum level of income; and • Non-Domestic Rates Relief of up to 100% relief (for 5 years) on certain properties and property improvements within designated tax sites. Page 55 of 181
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2.7 The specifics of any tax relief would be at the discretion of HMRC, and the individual companies concerned who apply for such benefits. There is also an intention to allow local authorities in which the tax sites are located to retain the business rates growth because of the new investment achieved (above an agreed baseline). This would enable local authorities and their partners to use such funds to invest in regeneration and infrastructure that will support further growth in the area or off-set any borrowing costs (where relevant) or to off-set any effect of displacement of local economic activity from disadvantaged areas. 2.8 Any designated customs site within a green freeport designation would be able to apply to have import duties on supplies suspended and elect to pay such duties on either imported goods or finished products (after being processed in the site). Any such arrangement would be subject to strict criteria applied by HMRC and be subject to having an authorised operator in place before such a designation applies. 2.9 The prospectus also indicated that up to £25m will be made available in funding to each successful green freeport designation. This funding comes with a requirement to be matched locally by private investment, local authority borrowing or other finance. Any such decisions on how to spend or match fund this seed funding would be subject to further Committee reports should the bid be successful. 2.10 Specific to North Lanarkshire, Mossend was included as a key site within the Clyde Green Freeport bid as it is home to a major rail freight hub and rail terminal. Appendix 1 outlines the proposed North Lanarkshire tax and customs sites within the Clyde Green Freeport bid that would see regeneration of 283 hectares of land through £17 million of investment, unlocked by tax benefits and, in the longer term, £300 million to develop the site and create the infrastructure needed. A new £44 million high capacity, decarbonised rail interchange would be developed with eight 775m rail sidings served by two electric gantry cranes, electric rail shunters, cross docking facilities and associated road and rail access infrastructure. In addition, there will be a net zero freight park consisting of 2.1 million square feet of manufacturing and logistics buildings and associated facilities. This would meet the increasing demand for exports for all of Scotland and support modal shift from road to rail, saving 225,000 tonnes of carbon annually. It would also create an opportunity for a manufacturing heavy vehicles hub, leading to £120 million of investment and over 500 jobs, as well as for the manufacturing, maintenance and operation of new innovative freight wagons, with an estimated £55 million of investment. 2.11 The formal bid was submitted on 20 June to the Scottish and UK governments by a partnership of Glasgow Airport, Peel Ports’ Clydeport, Mossend International Railfreight Park in North Lanarkshire and Glasgow City Region councils, including North Lanarkshire Council. The bid has already attracted support from many key businesses and organisations based or operating within Glasgow City Region including Caterpillar, Malcolm Group, SP Energy Networks, the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, Morrison Construction and Loganair. 2.12 The Green Freeport Prospectus states that two winning bids will be announced in Summer 2022 and will then be invited to develop a more detailed business case. In total, there have been five bids submitted across Scotland. 2.13 In relation to ongoing governance, should the bid be successful a formal governance body will be put in place. The arrangements for this are still to be determined but it is anticipated this would include representatives from the three ports and corresponding local authority representation. Page 56 of 181
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3. Measures of success 3.1 Should bid be successful, the key measures of success across GCR will be: • The creation of up to 30,000 new jobs (45,000 including construction jobs). • The attraction of £2.5 billion of capital investment. • The transformation of c.600 hectares of vacant, derelict, and underdeveloped land. • The generation of £18 billion uplift in GVA to 2034; and • The delivery of an extensive decarbonisation plan to be net zero by 2040. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 outlines the proposed customs and tax sites within North Lanarkshire. 4.2 A website for the bid has been created and can be viewed at: www.ClydeGreenFreeport.co.uk Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 57 of 181
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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? • An Equalities Impact Assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty screening has been completed by the partners as part of the bidding process in-line with legislation and included in the Clyde Green Freeport bid. • Fair work practices are mandatory to all operator and businesses based within the designated Green Freeport tax and customs zones. In addition, bidders were required to propose additional innovative measures they would introduce to support the Scottish Government's Fair Work priorities. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? There are no financial implications arising from the bidding process at this time other than officer time. If the bid is successful and how any subsequent business case for the Green Freeport is then developed, any financial implications arising, or decisions on future investment decisions within North Lanarkshire, will be subject to separate Committee reports at the appropriate time. The bid included match funding of £2.1m from the council’s City Deal Programme for the contribution towards the Orchard farm roundabout which will enable access to the business and industrial sites. The potential financial benefits to the council include the ability to bid for up to £25m of seed funding which is available to each successful green/freeport area. This funding comes with a requirement to be matched locally by private investment, local authority borrowing or other finance. Any such decisions on how to spend or match fund this seed funding would be subject to further Committee reports should the bid be successful. There is also an intention to allow local authorities in which the tax sites are located to retain the business rates growth because of the new investment achieved (above an agreed baseline). This would allow local authorities and their partners to use such funds to invest in regeneration and infrastructure that will support further growth in the area or off-set any borrowing costs (where relevant) or to off-set any effect of displacement of local economic activity from disadvantaged areas. Page 58 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Any legislative impact would relate to the legal status of any Green Freeport area in North Lanarkshire, should the bid be successful. The future Governance arrangements, and the council’s role therein, would be carefully considered as part of any future Business case development 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 technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Page 59 of 181
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There would be no anticipated negative environmental impacts of a Green Freeport given the key objective is that the sites would contribute to be operationally net zero. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the proposed modal shift from road to rail will have significant positive environmental impacts including the saving of 225,000 tonnes of carbon annually. 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? A joint communications strategy has been put in place between GCR, the 3 councils and the 3 private sector partners. This has been promoting the positive impacts of the bid including the benefits to North Lanarkshire. A dedicated website: Clyde Green Freeport | Scotland's Global Freight Gateway and supporting social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) have been put in place alongside a YouTube promotional video. 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? There are no significant risk implications arising from this report. Should the Clyde Green Freeport bid be successful a full risk impact analysis would be undertaken. Page 60 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth & Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref: GF/CW Date 29/08/22 Business Grants - Business Recovery and Growth Fund From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail weiry@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Yvonne Weir Enterprise Manager 07508 001238 Executive Summary Following committee approval in August 2020, the council has progressed delivery of two in-house business grant schemes, namely the Back to Business Fund (BBF) and the Business Recovery and Growth Fund (BRGF). The purpose of this report is to seek committee approval to increase the maximum grant available to applicant businesses under the BRGF scheme from £20,000 to £50,000 per business over a 24-month rolling period. Raising the maximum grant threshold will give the council the flexibility to assist larger growth investments and projects of scale, resulting in increased impacts and outcomes from the business projects supported by the funding. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 1) Approve the proposed change to the North Lanarkshire Council Business Recovery and Growth Fund, specifically to increase the maximum cumulative grant that can be awarded to an individual business from £20,000 to £50,000 over a 24-month rolling period. 2) Approve an increase in the number of capital expenditure, infrastructure improvement and combined capital expenditure/infrastructure grants to a maximum of 2 grants per business subject to the £50,000 maximum cumulative grant award per business over a 24-month rolling period. 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 AGENDA ITEM 5 Page 63 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 Whilst the wide range of Covid-related business funds delivered by both the council and other external parties on behalf of the Scottish Government focussed on supporting cash flow, fixed costs and loss of income, the council put in place a Back to Business Fund and a Business Recovery and Growth Fund to support businesses requiring financial assistance to adapt and grow in order to realise their growth ambitions aligned to the council’s Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan and Economic Recovery Plan. These funds have a budget of approximately £1.7m, excluding ERDF funding. 1.2 The funds are competitive and discretionary seeking to support as many businesses as possible. The funds seek to support local businesses to recover and grow following the impact of Covid-19. More recently, businesses have faced increased challenges arising from pressures on supply chains and rising input costs, leading to higher operating costs. By providing project-specific funding, the BRGF scheme offers businesses assistance to take forward growth projects despite the increasing financial pressures arising from global economic conditions. 1.3 Specifically, the council’s Business Recovery and Growth Grant Fund currently provides grants of up to £20,000, targeted at existing Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to support their strategic, longer-term sustainability and growth. This grant funds specific activities to help businesses adapt and grow following the impacts of Covid on their operations through Capital Expenditure, Infrastructure Improvements, Training Support, Consultancy Support and Exhibition Support. In contrast to the Covid grants previously administered by the council, the BRGF grant scheme is geared towards supporting specific growth projects and cannot provide funding towards day-to-day working capital requirements. 1.4 The maximum grants currently available via the BRGF scheme are outlined below. BRGF grants can only contribute up to 50% towards eligible project costs (excluding VAT), and so a financial commitment from the applicant business is required in the form of match funding (minimum 50%): Project Type Maximum grant Capital Expenditure £20,000 Infrastructure Improvement £20,000 Combined Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure £20,000 Consultancy Support £5,000 Exhibition Support £4,000 Training Support £4,000 Furthermore, applicant businesses can only apply for and receive one BRGF grant per category within a rolling 24-month period, and the maximum cumulative BRGF grant awarded to any business within a 24-month period is limited to £20,000 at present. 2. Report 2.1 The financial support available from the Council continues to be a valuable mechanism to help businesses adapt, grow, and recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and also helps them take advantage of new business opportunities at a time when increasing economic pressures are creating financial barriers to growth. However, despite these challenges, growth opportunities also exist in various industry sectors within North Lanarkshire and many businesses are now undertaking expansion projects. Page 64 of 181
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2.2 The increasing scale of investment proposals coming forward to the council from local businesses has resulted in a recommendation that there should be an increase in the maximum grant to £50,000 in order to help these larger projects take place sooner, on a larger scale, or to achieve enhanced outcomes. The council has received specific enquiries from a number of applicants concerning any flexibility to apply for grant in excess of the current £20,000 maximum. Typically, such examples relate to conversion or fit-out of commercial premises (for example when a business is re-locating to accommodate growth), or to investment in advanced industrial plant and machinery required to enable expansion into new markets or improved productivity. Debt finance via Business Loans Scotland can be an alternative source of funding for some of these projects, and where appropriate the council will signpost companies to BLS, however in terms of grant funding there are very few other options available to local SMEs apart from the council’s business grant schemes. 2.3 The requested increase to the maximum grant value would only apply to Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure Improvement project proposals received from businesses, as such investments tend to be of a scale which generates the greatest economic benefit in terms of job creation, turnover growth and local economic impact. Raising the maximum grant threshold will give the council the flexibility to assist larger growth investments and projects of scale, resulting in increased impacts and outcomes and potentially an increased return on the council’s investment. It is recommended that the current grant thresholds for Consultancy Support, Exhibition Support and Training Support remain unchanged as outlined in Section 1.4 above. 2.4 The demand for BRGF grants to date provides some context of the business growth and innovation that is taking place despite prevailing economic conditions. Since autumn 2021, the BRGF scheme has approved 58 grant applications from 45 businesses, totalling £629,171.61 in grant funding. A further 12 applications from 8 businesses are pending assessment or currently awaiting supporting information, equivalent to an additional £169,144.96 in potential grant awards. Supported projects encompass a wide range of major investments, but frequently feature large-scale conversion and improvement of premises or the purchase of expensive items of equipment and machinery to facilitate business growth (as referenced above). 2.5 The impact in terms of job creation and turnover increase within the businesses receiving support is significant and these projections are recorded when a grant application is received and then actuals are requested from the business once the project is completed (within 12 months of the grant award date). The projections at application stage for the approved and pending applications are: • 61 jobs created immediately • 210.5 jobs created after 12 months • 460 jobs safeguarded immediately • 499 jobs safeguarded after 12 months • £11,364,999.50 increase in turnover 2.6 The additional funding required to extend the maximum grant amounts will be funded through the Local Authority COVID Economic Recovery (LACER) funding received by the council from the Scottish Government to support local economic recovery and through the drawdown of funding from the European Regional Development Fund. 2.7 It is proposed that the BRGF grant maxima for Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure Improvement projects is amended as follows:- Page 65 of 181
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Type of grant PROPOSED maximum number of grants in a 24- month period PROPOSED maximum grant award in a 24- month period – New Applicants PROPOSED maximum grant award – Previous Applicants (within a 24 – month period) Capital Expenditure 2 applications £50,000 £50,000 minus previous BRGF award Infrastructure Improvement 2 applications £50,000 £50,000 minus previous BRGF award Combined Capital Expenditure and Infrastructure 2 applications £50,000 £50,000 minus previous BRGF award Consultancy Support 1 application £5,000 £5,000 Exhibition Support 1 application £4,000 £4,000 Training Support 1 application £4,000 £4,000 2.8 In addition to the above limits per category of grant, the maximum cumulative BRGF grant awarded to any business within a 24-month rolling period will be capped at £50,000. This includes all capital expenditure, infrastructure, consultancy support, exhibition support and training support funding for which the applicant may apply. Furthermore, the total amount of public sector funding support for the project in question must not exceed 50% of total project costs (exclusive of VAT). 2.9 For applicants who previously applied for BRGF grant support since the launch of the scheme in November 2021 (when the maximum grant was capped at £20,000) it is proposed that businesses can now be considered for additional grant support (for new projects) up to a maximum cumulative BRGF grant award of £50,000 within a 24-month rolling period. 3. Measures of success 3.1 North Lanarkshire Council continues to play a leading role in supporting local SMEs and aiding their growth and prosperity. The North Lanarkshire Business Recovery and Growth Fund measures the number of jobs safeguarded, jobs created, number of businesses supported and any growth in turnover as a result of the support provided. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 The existing Business Recovery and Growth Fund guidelines can be viewed at: Business Recovery and Growth Fund | North Lanarkshire Council. Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 66 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The total budget for the programme is £1,314,283.60 which is subject to approval of an additional £450,000 of ERDF funding. The North Lanarkshire Council additional match funding required to extend the grant amounts will be funded through the Local Authority COVID Economic Recovery (LACER) funding received by the council from the Scottish Government to support local economic recovery and through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). ERDF will be in place until June 2023. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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 67 of 181
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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 technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Changes to the grant scheme criteria will be published on the council’s website and promoted on social media channels. 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 key risks which are assessed and recorded in the Service Risk Register are as follows: - Fraud: The council has robust grant processes in place. Grants are paid retrospectively following evidence of expenditure by the business. - Eligibility of grants for the European Regional Development Fund: All grants are checked for compliance prior to payment to ensure there is no risk of non-compliance with funding rules and regulations. Page 68 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref PH/DG Date 29/08/22 External Funding update From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail GreerD@northlan.gov.uk Telephone David Greer, Growth Programme Manager 07583 059816 Executive Summary This report provides information on a range of external funding opportunities which are available for physical regeneration activity. In addition, this report will provide an update on the work which the council is currently undertaking to secure this funding or deliver strategic programmes and projects to ensure full spend of external funding secured. This includes updates on: the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund; the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme (including the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Town Centre Demonstrator); the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme; and the Scottish Government’s Green Growth Accelerator. Recommendations It is recommended that committee acknowledges: 1) the update provided on both first and second round Levelling Up Fund applications 2) the funding allocation made through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, the council’s plans for using its allocation and current work aimed at securing additional funds from the Programme 3) the successful bids for the 2022-23 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme 4) the bids submitted for 2023-24 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme 5) the update provided on the Council’s 2022-23 ‘Local Delivery Plan’ for the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund AGENDA ITEM 6 Page 69 of 181
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1. Background Levelling Up Fund 1.1 The UK Levelling Up Fund (LUF) will provide £4.8bn worth of capital investment across the UK by 2025-26. Funding is expected to be made available across three rounds, the first of which took place during 2021-22. Local authorities are eligible to make a bid for each UK Parliament constituency in their areas, plus an additional bid for a transport infrastructure project. 1.2 The LUF supports town centre and other physical regeneration, culture and transport projects. Local authorities can bid for up to £20m in LUF support for each project, with the exception of large transport projects (up to £50m). The LUF will also provide more than £20m in funding for up to two large cultural projects. 1.3 The second round of the LUF, for 2022-23, closed for bids on 2 August 2022. UK Government has committed to spending 9% of all monies allocated from this round to projects in Scotland. Placed Based Investment Programme 1.4 The Scottish Government has established a Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP), linking and aligning place-based funding initiatives. The PBIP will provide £325m in funding for place-based regeneration projects over the lifetime of the current Scottish Parliament. 1.5 The main objectives of the PBIP are: to link and align place based initiatives and establish a coherent local framework to implement the Place Principle; to support place policy ambitions such as town centre revitalisation, community led regeneration, 20 minute neighbourhoods and Community Wealth Building; to ensure that all place based investments are shaped by the needs and aspirations of local communities; and to accelerate ambitions for net zero, wellbeing and inclusive economic development, addressing inequality and disadvantage and community involvement and ownership 1.6 £140M of this funding will be allocated directly to local authorities, which will be provided with annual allocations for spend in each of the five financial years from April 2021. 6) the development of a full business case which aims to secure Green Growth Accelerator support to deliver the low-carbon redevelopment of Strathclyde Country Park. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (21) Continue to identify and access opportunities to leverage additional resources to support our ambitions Page 70 of 181
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1.7 The PBIP also now incorporates the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, committing up to £25M a year over each of the next 5 years, and other discrete funding schemes, including the £8m Town Centre Demonstrator fund which will support a small number of town centre regeneration projects. 1.8 RCGF provides capital grant funding for physical regeneration projects and is open to Scotland’s 32 local authorities and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) established by local authorities for the purpose of urban regeneration activity. Local authorities and SPVs can apply on behalf of ALEOs and other partners, including community groups, and will act as a conduit for grant funding. 1.9 The PBIP also includes a new £8m national Town Centre Demonstrator fund which was launched earlier in 2022 to support innovative projects which can provide lessons for similar towns across Scotland. This fund is being run as a closed competition, with only invited local authorities allowed to submit bids which will be considered by a Scottish Government panel. Vacant and Derelict Land Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme 1.10 The Vacant & Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) is a ring-fenced capital grant allocation which provides financial support from the Scottish Government to assist with the regeneration of registered vacant and derelict land sites across selected local authority areas. The Scottish Government has committed to maintaining the VDLF for 2022-23 but there is no guarantee of funding for those authorities (including the council) in subsequent years. 1.11 Funding provided through the VDLF programme is subject to the submission (and approval by the Scottish Government) of an annual Local Delivery Plan which sets out local authority investment proposals to meet the objectives of the VDLF programme. These objectives are to: tackle long term vacant and derelict land (and in particular sites which have been registered as vacant or derelict for at least 15 years); stimulate economic growth and job creation; develop a diverse sustainable environment with a focus on temporary and permanent greening; and support communities to flourish and tackle inequalities. 1.12 There is a range of activity which this fund cannot support including major infrastructure works, flood mitigation, retail and housing projects. 1.13 Whilst organisations other than local authorities and SPVs cannot apply directly to this fund, the council can apply on behalf of ALEOs and other partners and act as a conduit for this grant funding. 1.14 In addition to the existing VDLF programme, the Scottish Government launched their Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) in early 2021, providing £50M over the five years between 2021 and 2026 to support placed based approaches for tackling persistent vacant and derelict land and delivering regeneration and sustainable growth as part of the green recovery. Page 71 of 181
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Green Growth Accelerator 1.15 The Green Growth Accelerator (GCA) aims to unlock £200 million of additional investment in infrastructure projects to support Scotland’s transition to an inclusive net- zero emissions economy. 1.16 The GGA is a financial tool where successful applicants invest initial capital in ‘green infrastructure’ with this investment repaid across future years based upon their success in meeting targets for carbon reduction and related measures. The successful applicant has discretion over how it funds the initial infrastructure investment, for example through capital grant, borrowing or receipts and flexibility over timescales for repayment. 1.17 The GGA was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and a call for ‘Pathfinder Projects’ launched in June 2021. The Scottish Government committed to provide successful pathfinder authorities with initial revenue funding to help develop business cases for submission for full funding awards during 2022-23. Where projects are approved, local authorities are eligible for revenue payments which meet up to £10m of initial capital investment (including any borrowing costs), subject to achieving agreed outcomes. 2. Report Levelling Up Fund 2.1 The first round of the LUF was launched in March 2021, for bid submissions by June of the same year. Due to the restricted timescales and resources available to develop bids, the council took forward only one bid to this round, for enabling works to kick-start the reshaping and renewal of Cumbernauld Town Centre in line with the recently approved Cumbernauld Town Centre Vision. This bid was unsuccessful however UK Government officials provided positive feedback to officers and encouraged the bid to be revised and resubmitted in future rounds. 2.2 The second round of LUF was launched in April 2022. As agreed at previous Enterprise and Growth committees in November 2021 and February 2022 the following bids have been developed and submitted by the revised deadline of 2 August 2022 for each of the four Westminster constituencies: Airdrie and Shotts: delivering town centre living by repurposing prominent vacant or derelict buildings and sites for mid-market rent homes in Airdrie. Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill: the redevelopment of Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, which will be transformed into a world- class visitor destination and outstanding community asset. Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East: enabling acquisition and demolition works to support the later development of a new Town Hub and reshaped, repopulated Cumbernauld town centre. Motherwell and Wishaw: enabling groundworks to support the development of new community facilities and affordable homes for Ravenscraig. 2.3 These bids were subject to engagement with local members, MPs and MSPs. The outcome of the bids is expected in the Autumn. Page 72 of 181
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Place Based Investment Programme 2.4 The council was allocated £2.436m for spend from the PBIP in 2022-23. Details of the projects to be funded which meet the PBIP criteria, including the requirement for funding to be spent or legally committed by 31 March 2023, and which align to the priorities set out in the Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP) are outlined in Appendix 1. 2.5 The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) now also forms a separate part of the Scottish Government’s PBIP. 2.6 The council succeeded with bids to earlier rounds of RCGF, including funding in 2021- 22 for projects in Motherwell (Reeltime Community Music Facility) and Shotts (Springhill Community Hub). 2.7 The council was successful for its bid for £1.8m in RCGF funding during 2022-23 to support the low-carbon redevelopment of Braidhurst Industrial Estate. 2.8 The current round of RCGF sought initial ‘stage 1’ bids by 17 June 2022. Following a ‘call for bids’ advertised to community organisations and within the council, five bids were submitted for projects: ‘Active travel connections’, providing the ‘missing links’ in the active travel network to connect Bellshill, Motherwell and Wishaw. A new ‘community memory store’ for collections and social history at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. Development of a new health and wellbeing hub by Motherwell FC Community Trus.t Redeveloping a former NHS clinic to create a community hub in Croy Supporting the low-carbon redevelopment of Strathclyde Country Park (see Green Growth Accelerator for further information) 2.9 Decisions on these bids are expected in August 2022, with those succeeding at stage 1 invited to make stage 2 (award stage) bids in October, with funding decisions expected in December. 2.10 The council was invited to apply for Town Centre Demonstrator (TCD) funding and, after initial discussion with Scottish Futures Trust (which manages the competition on the Scottish Government’s behalf) on the types of projects which may be suitable for the TCD and its timescales for spend, the council submitted initial proposals for projects in both Airdrie and Motherwell. Following feedback, a full application for funding has been submitted for Airdrie, which aims to establish a land assembly and reuse fund which will enable both site acquisition and follow-on development in the town centre to support delivery of the town vision and help increase residential provision in the town centre. A decision on this proposal is expected in the autumn. Vacant and Derelict Land Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme 2.11 The Scottish Government allocated £1.938m from the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) to North Lanarkshire Council, subject to the submission and approval of a 2022/23 VDLF Local Delivery Plan (LDP). The proposed projects to be delivered from the 2022/23 VDLF were approved at Enterprise & Growth Committee in February 2022. Page 73 of 181
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2.12 This LDP was approved by the Scottish Government in July and the projects which will be delivered through the council’s VDLF Programme are: Ravenscraig Plot 1: £1.3m in enabling earthworks, including drainage, to allow for later access roads, services and utilities to be brought in to provide a development ready site. This project is expected to lever in £9m in private investment for 65,000 square feet of industrial development which will create 128 permanent new jobs. Ravenscraig Plot 1 Microgeneration feasibility study: £38,000 to review options for follow-on industrial development to meet the council’s aspirations for a Net Zero North Lanarkshire. Gartcosh Business Interchange Phases 3 and 4: £600,000 for enabling and remediation works to allow for follow-on development, building on the success of Phases 1 and 2. 2.13 In addition to VDLF, the council also made two Stage 1 applications to the second round of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) for projects in 2022- 23. A bid for £230,911 to deliver ‘Glenmanor Greenspace’, a community greening project in Moodiesburn, was successful while an application for the second phase of the Ravenscraig Active Travel Link (RATL), connecting Craigneuk with New College Lanarkshire, was unsuccessful but has been held in reserve should any other funded projects not proceed. 2.14 The council has submitted stage 1 bids for phase two of the RATL and for a separate project which will deliver enabling groundworks to support the development of 21 new affordable housing on a long-term vacant and derelict site at Caledonian Road in Wishaw. Outcomes of these stage 1 bids is expected in August, with those bids succeeding at stage 1 invited to make stage 2 (award stage) bids in October, with funding decisions expected in December. 2.15 The council will continue to engage with local communities to develop projects that can be submitted to future rounds of both RCGF and VDLIP in 2023 and subsequent years. Green Growth Accelerator (GGA) 2.16 The council’s bid proposal for GGA support for the low-carbon redevelopment of Strathclyde Park was selected as one of five GGA Pathfinder projects in September 2021. NLC was awarded £120,000 in funding to help develop a business case for full support of up to £10m in funding to support capital investment. 2.17 Consultants were appointed to carry out extensive surveys and provide costed design proposals based around three key elements: The net zero redevelopment of the Park’s Watersports Centre and Bothwellhaugh Cottage, ‘retrofitting’ the existing buildings and installing solar photovoltaic array to meet energy demand The installation of a water source heat pump in Strathclyde Loch to meet the Park’s heat demand The installation of new renewable-fuelled EV charging points and street lighting. Page 74 of 181
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2.18 These proposals were received in early July and formed the basis of the council’s business case for GGA funding, which was submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration at the end of that month. A decision on funding the project is expected later in the year and officers have been preparing additional bids for support to meet any prospective funding gaps (see RCGF above). 3. Measures of success 3.1 The primary measure of success arising from the work and updates outlined in this report would be to: maximise the funding drawdown from the external funding opportunities outlined in this report; and ensure that the funding drawdown from these sources is used to best enable the council to achieve its wider goals for community and environmental regeneration and inclusive economic growth. 4. Supporting documentation Appendix One: Place Based Investment Programme List 2022/23 Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 75 of 181
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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? The funding programmes outlined in this report are very much focused on promoting inclusive growth and a fairer Scotland and will do so by: delivering physical regeneration projects that will improve the local environment and tackle problems which continue to constrain community regeneration; creating infrastructure that will help improve health and well-being and provide North Lanarkshire’s most disadvantaged communities with new leisure, learning and economic opportunity; and ensuring that our place based investments are shaped by the needs and aspirations of all of our local communities. Consideration will also be given to equalities issues as part of the bids and projects developed in response to the identified funding opportunities whilst the council will also work closely with ALEOs, partners and third-party organisations involved in the delivery of these to ensure that equality considerations remain core throughout. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Scottish Government external funding programmes such as PBIP, VDLF, RCGF and VDLIP can provide up to a 100% project funding and as such do not require match funding. However, challenge fund bids to programmes such as RCGF and VDLIP are more likely to be successful where match is provided to overall project costs. In these cases, where such funding is invested in council owned assets, it is likely that the Scottish Government would expect NLC to contribute funding to these (although there is no set percentage). The UKLUF provides up to a maximum of £20M per project and 90% of total project costs. As such, the development and delivery of these projects, unless already included as part of the Capital Programme, could result in the need to reprioritise budgets to ensure that the drawdown of this external funding can be maximised. It should also be noted that due to the complexity of bids and requirement for detailed costs, there will be a requirement for feasibility, design and site investigation works to support the UKLUF bids. However, the UK Government has provided a ‘one-off’ payment of £125,000 to manage Levelling Up projects and future bids to this Page 76 of 181
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fund, which has been used to support bid development. The GGA Pathfinder also gives rise to potential financial impact particularly in relation to how initial capital investment is met, how risk of ‘under repayment’ can be minimised or negated and timescales for repayment. The council will continue to work with the Scottish Government to minimise these risks, including through agreeing realistic outcomes for which revenue payments are based on. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Page 77 of 181
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The implementation of the programmes supported through capital programmes such as the VDLF, PBIP and the LUF provide significant opportunity for local environment improvements to greenspace, town centres and community facilities. Moreover, the proposals put forward as part of the GGA Pathfinder would bring forward significant carbon savings and develop a demonstrator project to help support the council to meet its future net zero carbon targets. 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 of opportunities delivered through new funding programmes or success in gaining external funding for projects will continue to be managed and co- ordinated through Corporate Communications. 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? External funding programmes do bring a measure of risk to the council particularly in relation to potential budget overspend for projects and/or the requirement to repay funds due to failure to deliver projects properly (a risk which is increased where delivery is through a third-party). To help reduce and mitigate risk, a full risk assessment is undertaken for all funding programmes and/or externally funded projects as part of the council’s project management process and where complex/high risk projects are being developed or delivered, risk workshops will be set up to ensure all service and partner risks are identified. Page 78 of 181
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Appendix 1: North Lanarkshire’s Place Based Investment Programme 2022/23 THEME PROJECT DESCRIPTION TOTAL COST Match/ other funding Projected 22/23 PBIP Spend/ Commitment Town Centre Regeneration Braidhurst Industrial Estate New / refurbished industrial units and environmental improvements. Contribution will focus on micro generation £5,000,000 tbc £4,500,000 £500,000 Motherwell Library Immersive classroom/digital learning & access to be incorporated within Mother Library - this builds upon recently completed external works and rewiring recently contracted £414,778 £414,778 Orrs, Airdrie Contribution for the commercial units at the new development £3,200,000 £3,040,000 £160,000 Café Refresh, Motherwell Continuation of existing PBIP supported project £75,000 £0 £64,000 20 Minute Neighbourhoods Active Travel Ph2, Ravenscraig Continuation of existing PBIP supported project £1,100,000 £750,000 £350,000 Active Travel Hubs, Motherwell Continuation of existing PBIP supported project £144,000 £0 £115,000 Motherwell Station Active Travel Links City Deal Project – application being prepared and external match funding being sought for creation of active travel routes at Motherwell Station. £1,200,000 £700,000 £500,000 Placemaking/ Community Wellbeing Glenmanor, Moodiesburn PBIP contribution to community greenspace project being supported by VDLIP £298,000 £238,000 £60,000 Newmains Feasibility study and potential acquisition of commercial property in Newmains for future demolition and conversion to community garden. £150,000 £0 £150,000 Cumbernauld Community Allotments PBIP supported this project in 21/22. Due to an increase in groundworks, additional funds are required. £370,000 £350,000 £20,000 Other To Be Allocated Funding for projects under development. £0 £0 £102,222 Total £10,277,000 £7,841,000 £2,436,000 Page 79 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref JO’N/PK Date 29/08/22 Employability – EU Funds Update From Janie O’Neill, Head of Education & Families (South) E-mail oneillja@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07790 894444 1. Background 1.1 Driving up the employment rate in North Lanarkshire is a cornerstone of The Plan for North Lanarkshire and ensuring employability support is available to all is recognised as a major contributor to both local economic development and tackling poverty. North Lanarkshire Council delivers large scale employability programmes across all Executive Summary This report seeks approval to negotiate an extension with the Scottish Government to the Council’s EU funded programme from December 2022 to June 2023. The report outlines the role of the EU funded programme in supporting employability services in North Lanarkshire and the steps involved in securing an extension. It also provides an update on the current labour market in North Lanarkshire and the new challenges created by the impact of the pandemic in the last two years as well as demonstrating the strategic context of the work of the employability team within some of The Plan for North Lanarkshire’s Programmes of Work. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee: (1) Acknowledge that the necessary steps are taken by Council officers to secure an extension of the current EU funded employability programme from December 2022 until June 2023. (2) Consider the information provided on the current labour market in North Lanarkshire. 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 AGENDA ITEM 7 Page 81 of 181
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communities, and these are targeted on supporting those unemployed and underemployed residents who face additional barriers to entering the labour market. These programmes support a range of groups, and all have the aim of securing fair and sustained work for residents. Reducing poverty is central to each of these programmes and, in line with The Plan for North Lanarkshire, including all residents in the economic growth of our area is viewed as central to the work on employability. 1.2 Over half of the Council’s employability support to residents is funded from its EU funded programme through an agreement with the Scottish Government. This funding comes from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the current programme, known in North Lanarkshire as ‘Prospects for You’, is funded until December 2022 with a focus on engaging unemployed residents with at least two barriers to getting work. As part of the withdrawal agreement from the EU it was agreed that existing commitments to EU funded projects could remain in place past the UK withdrawal date of 31 January 2020. 1.3 In North Lanarkshire the programme is led and co-ordinated by the Council’s employability team which also provides the key function of engaging employers onto the programme. Routes to Work Ltd are funded to provide specialised case worker support to unemployed residents as well as support with accessing vocational training and the short-term costs associated with moving from benefits to employment such as childcare and travel. They also provide in-work support for up to 6 months for those participants that require it. The External Funding team within Enterprise and Communities are also funded through ESF to provide a compliance and verification role on the distribution of the funding. The programme is co-funded by the Council and EU with 46% of funding coming from the EU and has an annual cost of around £4.5 million and funds the 82.44 fte staff delivering the programme as well as the other costs associated with training for participants, wage subsidies to employers, childcare, and vocational qualifications. 1.4 In recent years employability support has also been significantly bolstered by increased levels of funding from the Scottish Government through its No One Left Behind, Parental Employment Support and Young Persons Guarantee funding and these have been integrated and aligned with the existing EU programme to broaden its range and deepen its penetration into under-represented groups in the labour market. 2. Report 2.1 The Scottish Government have indicated to North Lanarkshire Council that there is an opportunity to extend the operational delivery of the EU funded employability programme from December 2022 until June 2023. The negotiation of the extension would involve reprofiling the financial commitment and grant as well as the outcomes from the programme. Given the EU, via the Scottish Government, would continue to fund 46% of activity this would provide continued large-scale activity for another six months. 2.2 In terms of the scale of activity that could be expected, in 2021/22 the programme engaged with over 1,300 residents and supported 715 into employment and in 2022/23 is expected to engage with over 1,500 residents and support 869 into work with at least 70% sustaining employment for six months. Alongside the additional jobs that could be secured with an extension it also allows additional time for the transition to the next phase of employability support to be developed. Page 82 of 181
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2.3 The UK Government’s replacement for EU funds is the Shared Prosperity Fund and the overall strategy in terms of externally funded employability programmes is to transition these as smoothly as possible in 2023/24; however, that is the year there is most demand on that source of funding. Therefore, maintaining the existing EU funding for as long as possible will lessen the demand on that source. The negotiation with the Scottish Government would aim for a conclusion by 30 September 2022 and would require consultation with finance colleagues as well as the ALEO, Routes to Work Ltd, to develop the revised financial profile and outcomes. Current Labour Market and Strategic Context 2.4 The impact of the pandemic on the national and local labour market has created new challenges for employers and those out of work. The North Lanarkshire claimant count, which acts as a measure of unemployment, was 14,415 (6.6%) people in March 2021 compared with 8,225 (3.8%) in March 2020, a 75% increase on the pre-pandemic level. However, in May 2022 it has decreased to 8,050 (3.7%). On the face of it this is good news but behind the unemployment figures real challenges are apparent. As 2021/22 progressed it became clear that a significant number of people, mainly older workers and the majority women, had left the labour market either through early retirement, health concerns or to take up caring responsibilities. These factors, combined with the rapid re-opening of the economy through 2021/22 led to staffing shortages across a range of sectors with jobs available, especially at entry level, for those who were job ready or even nearly job ready. 2.5 The number reported as ‘long term sick’ in North Lanarkshire has increased from 14,900 in December 2019 to 29,400 in December 2021 and the number reported as ‘looking after family/home’ in the Council area increased from 8,500 to 13,000 in the same period. While unemployment is lower than pre-pandemic levels the number of people in the workforce in North Lanarkshire has reduced from 174,000 (78.1%) in December 2019 to 159,300 (71.1%) in December 2021. The other concerning national trend is that despite falling unemployment, long-term unemployment remains above pre-pandemic levels; with the long-term unemployed now accounting for 35% of all those unemployed (compared with 28% two years ago). Short-term unemployment is at its lowest ever level. For those in work there are also concerns as pay growth remains well below inflation in many of the sectors predominant in North Lanarkshire with the rising cost of living affecting the financial benefits of employment and labour shortages and rising costs and supply chain challenges affecting employers plans for recruitment and business development. So, despite a fall in unemployment in the area there is higher worklessness, negative pay growth and continued labour shortages for businesses and these factors will have a continued and sustained impact on the demand for Council services. From an employability perspective this reinforces the view that in the short term the most effective contribution to be made is to support participation in the labour market for those for those out of work to get back in and have employability programmes open to all of those who are out of work, not just those claiming Universal Credit. 2.6 In terms of the Council’s strategic response the employability team play a role within the Workforce for the Future, Programme of Work P077.1, which has a broad range of workstreams focused on ensuring that every resident has access to the support and advice they need to secure fair and sustained employment or training in North Lanarkshire. This group is also engaged with employers to make sure that the advice and support delivered meets their current and future needs in terms of skills and labour supply. Support into Employment is one of the key actions within the Council’s Economic Recovery Plan, part of the Programme of Work P022.1, and this has re- orientated existing employability programmes to ensure they are directly supporting Page 83 of 181
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residents with all aspects of employability affected due to the pandemic impact. A key contribution made by the team is also to the Programme of Work P005.2, Tackling Poverty through its general work on increasing residents’ incomes from employment and specifically through its work on Parental Employment Support to combat child poverty. 3. Measures of success 3.1 An extension to the EU funded programme is negotiated to extend the end date until June 2023. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 None. Janie O’Neill Head of Education & Families (South) Page 84 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? All costs associated with the potential extension to the EU funded programme are matched by CE714 NLC Match Funding allocated to employability projects. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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? Page 85 of 181
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Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? The risk attached to the proposals is covered within the risk register for Employability Services in relation to compliance and draw down of external funding. Page 86 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref UKSPF/YW Date 29/08/22 UK Shared Prosperity Fund Update From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail Weiry@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Yvonne Weir 07508 001238 Executive Summary This report provides an update on progress and activities being undertaken to develop North Lanarkshire’s investment priorities and interventions for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF or the Fund) is a central pillar of the UK government’s levelling up agenda and succeeds the former EU funding received by the UK. Funding of £2.5bn has been put in place from April 2022 to March 2025 across the UK to provide a mix of capital and revenue funding for projects which meet the Fund’s 3 investment priorities: communities and place; support for local businesses and people and skills. North Lanarkshire has received a conditional allocation of £13,871,047 of which £11,475,646 is core UKSPF funding and £2,395,402 is ringfenced for Multiply activity to support adult numeracy activities for individuals aged 19+. Following agreement by the 8 local authorities within the Glasgow City Region (GCR), a single Investment Plan based on the investment priorities and interventions identified by the member authorities will be submitted to the UK Government for the £73.9M of funding allocated to GCR on 1st September 2022 subject to the approval of the Investment Plan at the GCR Cabinet on 30th August 2022. Approvals of the investment plans are expected from October 2022 although spend on activities can be incurred at risk from 1 April 2022. The development of the investment priorities and associated output and outcome measures for North Lanarkshire has been developed in consultation with a range of internal and external stakeholders and reflects agreed council priorities through the Plan for North Lanarkshire and related Programme of Work. AGENDA ITEM 8 Page 87 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF or the Fund) is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda. It succeeds the EU Structural Funds (primarily European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund) within the UK. Although the concept of the UKSPF was first outlined in 2017, very little substantive information was made available until pre-launch guidance was published on 2nd February 2022. This was followed up by the publication of a full prospectus on 13th April 2022 by the UK Government. 1.2 The UKSPF will provide £2.6bn of new capital and revenue funding across the UK for local investment up to 31 March 2025. The funding is split over three financial years as follows: £400m for 2022-23, £700m for 2023-24 and ramping up to £1.5bn for 2024-25. 1.3 All areas of the UK have received a conditional allocation of funding based on a funding formula rather than direct competition for the funds. A total of £212m has been allocated to Scotland (8.4% of the UK total). The share accruing to Scotland is broadly equivalent to its share of EU Structural Funds for the 2014-20 period. The 8 authorities in the Glasgow City Region have received a combined allocation of £73.9m which is approximately 34.9% of the Scottish allocation. 1.4 North Lanarkshire has received a conditional allocation of £13,871,047 of which £11,475,646 is core UKSPF funding and £2,395,402 is ringfenced for delivery of activity under “Multiply” (i.e. activity to support adult numeracy activities for individuals aged 19+). There are pre-determined percentages for capital and revenue on an annual basis with a minimum amount that can be spend on capital. Places can choose to spend more on capital should they wish. Funding for Multiply is fixed and cannot be altered. Areas can also utilise 4% of their allocation to undertake necessary Fund administration including project assessment, contracting, monitoring and evaluation and ongoing stakeholder engagement. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: (1) Considers the content of this report; (2) Approves the proposed North Lanarkshire investment priorities as set out in Appendix 1 (3) Notes that the Glasgow City Region Investment Plan will be submitted to the UK Government for approval on 1st September, subject to approval at GCR Cabinet on 30th August. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (21) Continue to identify and access opportunities to leverage additional resources to support our ambitions Page 88 of 181
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1.5 North Lanarkshire’s specific allocation over the first 3-years of the Fund is broken down as follows: CORE UKSPF North Lanarkshire 22/23 23/24 24/25 Total Core UKSPF £1,392,675 £2,785,351 £7,297,619 £11,475,646 Multiply £724,191 £835,605 £835,605 £2,395,402 Total £2,116,866 £3,620,956 £8,133,224 £13,871,047 Objectives of the Fund and Investment Priorities 1.6 The UKSPF is seeking to support the UK government’s wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK by delivering on each of the levelling up objectives: • Boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging • Spread opportunities and improve public services, especially in those places where they are weakest • Restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost • Empower local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local agency 1.7 The primary goal of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. Underneath this overarching aim, there are three UKSPF investment priorities: • Communities and place • Supporting local business • People and skills In addition, the new programme “Multiply” has a specific budget within the UKSPF as outlined above to support adult numeracy skills across all areas. 1.8 The objectives of the Communities and Place Investment Priority are: • To strengthen social fabric and to foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and access to amenities such as community infrastructure and local green space and community led projects; and • To build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoods through investment in quality places in which people want to live work play and learn through targeted improvements to the built and natural environment together with innovative approaches to crime prevention. 1.9 The objectives of the Supporting Local Businesses Investment Priority are: • To create jobs and boost community cohesion, through investments that build on existing industries and institutions and range from support for starting businesses to visible improvements to local retail, hospitality and leisure sector facilities; • To promote networking and collaboration, through interventions that bring together businesses and partners within and across sectors to share knowledge, expertise and resources and stimulate innovation and growth; and • To increase private sector investment in growth enhancing activities, through targeted support for small and medium sized businesses to undertake new to firm Page 89 of 181
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innovation, adopt productivity enhancing energy efficient and low carbon technologies and techniques, and to start or grow their exports. 1.10 The objectives of the People and Skills Investment Priority are: • To boost core skills and support adults to progress in work by targeting adults with no or low-level qualifications and skills in maths and upskill the working population, yielding personal and societal economic impact and by encouraging innovative approaches to reducing adult education barriers; • To reduce levels of economic inactivity through investment in bespoke intensive life and employment support tailored to local need. Investment should facilitate the join- up of mainstream provision and local services within an area for participants, through the use of one-to-one keyworker support, improving employment outcomes for specific cohorts who face labour market barriers; • To support people furthest from the labour market to overcome barriers to work by providing cohesive, locally tailored support including access to basic skills; and • To support local areas to fund gaps in local skills provision to support people to progress in work, and supplement local adult skills provision e.g. by providing additional volumes; delivering provision through wider range of routes or enabling more intensive/innovative provision, both qualification based and non-qualification based. This should be supplementary to provision available through national employment and skills programmes. 1.11 The Interventions List for Scotland which is one of the accompanying documents to the UKSPF prospectus sets out a menu of 51 suggested interventions across the three investment priorities. Whilst places are encouraged to select from this menu, places can also consider bespoke interventions that meet the unique needs of their community and place. Beyond the earmarked allocation for Multiply there is flexibility regarding the allocations areas can make across the 3 investment priorities. 1.12 In order to access the conditional allocations of funding through the UKSPF, local areas are required to set out measurable outcomes that reflect local challenges, needs and opportunities which inform the interventions the area wishes to deliver across the three investment priorities. These interventions, outputs and outcomes are required to be set out in an Investment Plan which must be submitted to the UK government for approval. Glasgow City Region Approach 1.13 The pre-launch guidance encouraged, but did not mandate, the use of regional economic partnerships (largely based on city/growth deals) as the spatial basis for preparing Investment Plans in Scotland. 1.14 The Glasgow City Region Cabinet, at its meeting held on 15th February 2022 agreed: • in principle to pursue a regional approach to management of the UKSPF and to authorise the Director of Regional Economic Growth to formally notify the UK Government of this approach; and • that the Investment Plan be developed in conjunction with all 8 Member Authorities, with all necessary approvals at both regional and local level prior to final submission in Summer 2022. 1.15 A Glasgow City Region Head of Shared Prosperity Fund has now been appointed and a working group of the UKSPF Officer leads in each local authority has been Page 90 of 181
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established. This Group meets on a regular basis and is also liaising with UK Government representatives. 1.16 It should be noted that while the intention is to submit a single Investment Plan covering the City Region, most of the delivery and project management will remain at local authority level. There may be some limited interventions in future years, linked to the priorities identified in the GCR Regional Economic Strategy, that might be undertaken at a City Region level should there be funding available. 1.17 Whilst the original window of submissions for investment plans was 30 June to 1 August 2022, GCR has received an extension to 1st September 2022 to enable member authority and GCR Cabinet approvals to be sought. It is anticipated that approvals will be made from October 2022. 2. Report North Lanarkshire Investment Plan Approach 2.1 The Council has considerable flexibility in terms of the interventions that can be supported in North Lanarkshire as part of the Glasgow City Region Investment Plan. In developing the local investment plan, it is proposed that the Council should deliver selected interventions under all three investment priorities set out in the prospectus including the Multiply intervention. 2.2 The Investment Plan does not require the submission of fully scoped projects. Instead, it requires the selection of interventions from the menu of 51 interventions based on local priorities, challenges and opportunities, and indicative spend and outputs/outcomes to be selected against them from the overall funding allocations. 2.3 There has been engagement with a range of internal and external stakeholders to identify and prioritise key projects, activities and interventions that could be delivered across the three investment priorities. As outlined in the background section of this report, the UKSPF themes, objectives and interventions are a strong fit with the Council’s, and wider stakeholder’s, plans and strategies for the area. All the interventions proposed for selection align and support strategic objectives identified within key strategies and Programmes of Work including, but not limited to, the Plan for North Lanarkshire, the Workforce for the Future Strategy, the Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan, Developing the Young Workforce, the North Lanarkshire Community Learning and Development Partnership Plan, the North Lanarkshire Tourism Strategy and Action Plan, the North Lanarkshire Social Enterprise Framework and Action Plan and the Tackling Poverty Action Plan. There is also a strong alignment to the GCR Regional Economic Strategy and national plans, strategies and funding. 2.4 It is proposed that in line with the flexibility offered within the UKSPF prospectus that North Lanarkshire based interventions will be delivered through a mixture of in-house project delivery, procurement, commissioning, grants to businesses/organisations, and via challenge funds. The UK Government’s default approach is via challenge funds. This mixed approach will enable third sector organisations, businesses and local groups to bid for funding through identified challenge or grant funds within relevant interventions as well as any procured or commissioned services. 2.5 In addition to the consideration of new interventions, the continuation of funding for the current EU funded activity has also been considered. This includes: Employability Pipeline activity; the Business Recovery and Growth Fund; Lanarkshire Business Gateway Expert Help Framework; the Smart Hub Lanarkshire and resources related to Page 91 of 181
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undertaking delivery, monitoring and compliance of EU funding. Current EU funding will continue into mid-late 2023 subject to Scottish Government approval of extensions to spend. Consideration will also be required to be given to any lessons learned from activity funded through the Community Renewal Fund which was the precursor to UKSPF following evaluations later this year. 2.6 An initial draft of the council’s proposed Investment Plan and likely interventions has been reviewed by GCR and the UK Government. The feedback on the submissions by all 8 local authorities has been positive and synergies among several interventions have been identified. 2.7 Across the interventions, the proposed split of funding within each of the investment priorities is summarised in the table below. Appendix 1 gives a breakdown of the specific interventions and a summary of the activities that are proposed to be delivered within each of the investment priorities. Yr1 UKSPF Yr2 UKSPF Yr3 UKSPF TOTAL UKSPF Communities & Place £ 506,427 £350,000 £2,265,000 £3,121,427 Supporting Local Business £91,541 £746,083 £1,667,738 £2,505,362 People and Skills £739,000 £1,577,854 £3,072,976 £5,389,830 Multiply £695,223 £802,181 £802,181 £2,299,585 NLC Management/Admin 4% £84,675 £144,838 £325,329 £554,842 TOTAL £2,116,866 £3,620,955 £8,133,224 £13,871,045 2.8 Looking more specifically at the allocations across the 3 investment priorities of Communities and Place, Supporting Local business and People and Skills, the proposed split between them in relation to the core UKSPF funding is as follows: Proportion of Available Funding: Total Communities and Place 28% Supporting Local Business 23% People & Skills 49% The higher proportion in People and Skills reflects funding proposed for the delivery of employability activity, the Academy Model and Developing the Young Workforce activities aligned to the council’s Workforce for the Future Strategy. 2.9 In relation to Capital/Revenue split, the proposed capital allocation has exceeded the minimum capital requirements. Whilst there has been no maximum for capital stated by the UK Government, justification is required for amounts which exceed the minimum. Officers believe the split for North Lanarkshire can be justified and is reasonable. Whilst there is a shortfall in year 2 against the minimum, this is exceeded in years 1 and years 3 with the overall minimum exceeded over the 3 years. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 TOTAL Page 92 of 181
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Capital - NLC £ 317,500 £ 50,000 £ 1,525,000 £ 1,892,500 Capital % 24% 2% 22% Min Capital £ 137,596 £ 330,760 £ 1,240,960 £ 1,709,317 Min Capital % 10.4% 12.5% 17.9% Stakeholder Engagement 2.10 The UKSPF prospectus stresses the importance of stakeholder engagement in the development of Investment Plans including consultation with MPs. A series of initial discussions, consultation events and presentations have been undertaken to-date. These have included the North Lanarkshire Local Employability Partnership, the Lanarkshire Economic Forum, the Tackling Poverty Officers Action Group, the North Lanarkshire CVS Forum, the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board, NHS Lanarkshire, and Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire. Some specific funding requests from external bodies have been received and allocations have been included that would enable these organisations to bid for and potentially access funding. Key Dates 2.11 The following table summarises the key dates and milestones. DATE ACTIVITY 13 April 2022 Fund Launch April-May 2022 Engagement sessions with local authorities and other local partners to support the investment plan process. April-June/July 2022 Lead local authorities work with stakeholders to develop local investment plans. Summer 2022 Further guidance published including guidance on monitoring benefits and evaluation, assurance, subsidy control, branding and publicity. 4th July 2022 Submission of high-level North Lanarkshire investment plan to Glasgow City Region 1st August 2022 Completion of the GCR Investment Plan 30th August 2022 GCR Cabinet Meeting to consider investment plan 1st September 2022 Submission of GCR investment plan to the UK Government July-September 2022 Indicative investment plan assessment period for UK government. October 2022 onwards Anticipated date for first investment plans to be approved. October 2022 onwards Anticipated first payment to be made to lead local authorities 1st April 2023 Second year advance payment to be made to lead local authorities 1st April 2024 Third year advance payment to be made to lead local authorities 31st March 2025 Three-year funding period ends 3. Measures of success 3.1 To maximise North Lanarkshire’s allocation of UKSPF funding totalling £13,817,047 by 31 March 2025 to achieve outputs and outcomes that positively deliver against the priorities and ambitions of the Plan for North Lanarkshire and related Programmes of Work. Page 93 of 181
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4. Supporting documentation 4.1 The UKSPF prospectus can be viewed at: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 4.2 The UKSPF Interventions List for Scotland can be viewed at: Interventions list for Scotland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 4.3 Appendix 1: Proposed North Lanarkshire Investment Plan Activities Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 94 of 181
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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? An assessment is being carried out on the proposed high level North Lanarkshire investment plan. More detailed assessments will be required on individual projects or activities delivered under the Plan as they come on-stream. The GCR investment plan requires detail on how the Public Sector Equality Duty has been considered in the design of the investment plan and how it will be considered when implementing the investment plan including the selection of projects. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? North Lanarkshire has received a conditional allocation of £13,871,047 of which £11,475,646 is core UKSPF funding and £2,395,402 is ringfenced for Multiply activity to support adult numeracy activities for individuals aged 19+. The UK Government has made £40,000 available to GCR to undertake initial preparatory work for the Fund. The Council has the ability to use 4% of its allocation by default to undertake necessary Fund administration including project assessment, contracting, monitoring and evaluation and ongoing stakeholder engagement. Where the 4% is not fully required, this can be used to fund interventions. Where more than 4% is required, a case by exception can be made. Each lead local authority will be paid annually in advance. In 2022-23, funding will be paid once the GCR investment plan has been signed off. In 2023-24 and 2024-25, payment will be at the start of the financial year. Lead local authorities will receive a grant determination letter and Memorandum of Understanding setting out Fund requirements and obligations. It is important to note that Lead local authorities may be asked to return any underspends at the end of each financial year unless there are credible plans setting out how the lead local authority will utilise underspends in the next year and/or appropriate milestones and spend have been achieved for the previous year. Funding can also be back-dated to 1 April 2022 at risk. As well as consideration of new interventions, consideration has been made to the continuation of the council’s current EU funded activity which includes Employability Page 95 of 181
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Pipeline activity, Business Recovery and Growth Fund, Lanarkshire Business Gateway Expert Help Framework, the Smart Hub Lanarkshire and resources who undertake delivery, monitoring and compliance of EU funding. Current EU funding which currently equates to approximately £2m of funding per annum will continue into mid-late 2023 subject to Scottish Government approval of extensions to spend. Consideration will also be required to the lessons learned from activity funded through the Community Renewal Fund which was the precursor to UKSPF following evaluations later this year. Should there be any underspends of annual budgets, further detail on how these will be treated is still to be confirmed. There is no guarantee that all underspends can be carried forward but the UK Government had advised it will consider credible plans setting out how the lead local authority will utilise underspends in the next year and/or appropriate milestones and spend have been achieved for the previous year. Whilst no match funding is required under the UKSPF to access the allocation or will be considered as part of the assessment criteria, local authorities are being strongly encouraged to consider match funding from the private, public and third sector when selecting interventions under the communities and place and support local business priorities. It has been agreed by GCR Chief Executive’s Group that each member authority will determine match funding requirements at a local level. It has been proposed for North Lanarkshire that match funding will be sought where available to maximise impact and reach of the UKSPF but that this will not prevent activities from being taken forward where there is no match available. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Approval has been received to appoint an Enterprise Development Manager with a focus on funding to oversee the development, management and delivery of the UKSPF and other external funds. There are existing staff across the council who are currently involved in the delivery, monitoring and compliance of existing EU funded and Community Renewal Fund activities. It is anticipated these staff will support the monitoring and compliance of the UKSPF as EU/CRF activities decrease and UKSPF activities come on-stream and increase in scale. A number of interventions notably through People and Skills and Multiply interventions may require additional staffing resources to manage and delivery project activity. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Page 96 of 181
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GCR as Lead local authority will receive a grant determination letter and Memorandum of Understanding from the UK Government setting out Fund requirements and obligations. This will require to be reviewed by Legal and Democratic Solutions. It is anticipated that an agreement will be put in place between GCR and the 8 local authorities following an approach similar to that of City Deal governance through the current assurance frameworks. Any external projects funded in North Lanarkshire will also require appropriate partnership, grant or legal agreements to be put in place. It should be noted that previous experience through the Community Renewal Fund also suggests that any formal legal agreements received from the UK government may be based on English as opposed to Scots Law. There may be legal impacts including subsidy control which will require to be considered depending on interventions selected. 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? There are interventions within the UKSPF which relate to both connectivity and digital skills, giving opportunities for funding for funding of community digital infrastructure and digital skills (people and business) in line with the emerging North Lanarkshire digital skills plan, and links to the work of the connectivity services framework. In addition, case management, monitoring and reporting systems may require to be reviewed or developed. Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Page 97 of 181
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There are opportunities for interventions to be supported through the UKSPF in this area both under Communities and Place and under Supporting Local Businesses. 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? Communication and engagement are a critical element of the UKSPF. Local authorities are required to engage with local partners, stakeholders, national agencies Scottish Government, UK Government, MSPs and MPs. Any activity delivered will require to follow UK SPF branding and publicity 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? A full risk assessment will be undertaken. The GCR level investment plan will incorporate detail of risks and issues including contingency measures which will be in place to mitigate them. Any key fraud risks will also be fully detailed in the GCR level investment plan. The following have been highlighted as key local risks at this early stage: - Late approval of the GCR Investment Plan resulting in year 1 underspend or delays in implementation. This includes potential risk for any projects which commence prior to approval. - The inability to carry forward underspends or ringfence local underspends for North Lanarkshire. This requires further agreement on treatment of underspends by GCR. - The impact of future council savings on any match funding, staffing and project delivery. - The inability to recruit or retain key project delivery staff. - The inability to deliver against proposed outputs and outcomes. - Failure of delivery by any grant funded, partnership, challenge fund or procured services. - Cessation of UKSPF funding at 31 March 2025. - Delays in delivery of capital expenditure due to contractor or supply chain issues. To mitigate against these risks, a robust agreement will be required at GCR level for the delivery of the GCR investment plan. At a local level, robust governance, project/contract/grant management systems and monitoring and evaluation frameworks will require to be put in place to mitigate against the risks. Page 98 of 181
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Appendix 1: Proposed North Lanarkshire Investment Plan Activities Table 1: Communities and Place - £3,121,427 Intervention Summary of Proposed Activity Total UKSPF Allocation Currently EU Funded S2 Strathclyde Park Green Growth Accelerator match funding to support 'net zero' redevelopment of the watersports centre £400,000 No S5 Funding to support cycle facilities at Bellshill Gateway and a Challenge fund to enhance sports, arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities, projects and facilities £642,500 No S6 Funding to support the Ravenscraig Active Travel project and a Challenge fund to support Active Travel projects £550,000 No S7 Support for local tourism marketing to increase visitors and support employment in the sector £120,000 No S8 Support for volunteering initiatives to help expand volunteering opportunities across North Lanarkshire £220,000 No S9 Support for community empowerment and capacity building and delivery of the 9 Local Outcome Improvement Plans £750,000 No S10 Support to enhance advice and assistance for those facing fuel poverty £150,000 No S11 Support for feasibility studies for active travel or other activities that could be funded under the Communities and Place interventions £75,000 No S12 Challenge fund to support community organisations improve their digital connectivity £213,927 No TOTAL £3,121,427 Table 2: Supporting Local Business - £2,505,362 Intervention Summary of Proposed Activity Total UKSPF Allocation Currently EU Funded S14 Challenge Fund to support the development of tourism facilities £150,000 No S15 Grant funding and support for businesses to help increase start-ups, growth, investment and employment opportunities, including support to introduce new digital technology and advanced manufacturing technology £1,300,000 Yes S19 Targeted support to help increase business start-ups and encourage £295,362 No Page 99 of 181
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entrepreneurs in excluded/under- represented groups S20 Continuation of expert help framework to support SME business growth and bespoke support for businesses to transition to Net Zero and/or create green jobs £550,000 Yes S22 Funding to help support growth and capacity building of social enterprises across North Lanarkshire £210,000 No TOTAL £2,505,362 Table 3: People and Skills - £5,389,830 Intervention Summary of Proposed Activity Total UKSPF Allocation Currently EU Funded S31 and S35 Employability support, programmes and funding to support those furthest from the labour market £3,439,830 Yes S36 and S38 Support to develop skills academies to support North Lanarkshire residents seeking employment – focus will be on digital skills, construction and health and social care £1,050,000 No S29 Support to expand support programmes to help vulnerable young people achieve positive post-school destinations £900,000 No TOTAL £5,389,830 Table 4: Multiply - £2,299,585 Intervention Summary of Proposed Activity Total UKSPF Allocation Currently EU Funded S42 Integrated maths in the community programme to provide bespoke and tailored numeracy learning £1,920,327 No S49 Delivery of training to improve financial literacy for people with debt problems £379,258 No Total £2,299,585 Page 100 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref SC/KH Date 29/08/22 Contract Award - Business Intelligence Hub From Head of Business & Digital Solutions Email hassellk@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07903 096121 Executive Summary The Business Intelligence Hub (BI Hub) is a key strategic function that performs several roles relating to business information, reporting and insight including: • utilising statistical techniques to draw insight from data in order to support strategic and operational decision-making. • validation and distribution of information to support statutory and regulatory requirements, and • production of reports and dashboards for differing stakeholder groups including corporate and service management teams, elected members, statutory and regulatory bodies, and partner agencies. Phases 1-3 of the BI Hub development were drawn down from the contract approved by the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee in 2019 for the Council’s System Integration Partner, Agilisys Limited. With that contract recently ending and with further developments planned it is essential to ensure the continuation of development and delivery of this key strategic asset. To maximise the previous knowledge and experience of our private sector partner Agilisys Limited, and after seeking advice from the Head of Assets and Procurement it was agreed that a call-off contract for consultancy from the Crown Commercial Services GCloud12 Framework services was the appropriate route for procurement for development and delivery of Phase Four of BI Hub providing best value to the Council. As Council was in recess, the Clause 21.3.2 within the General Contract Standing Orders (GCSO) was invoked which states “Between Committee cycles where there is no appropriate Committee available then the Chief Executive or the appropriate Executive Director (substitutes may not act) may instruct the Head of Assets and Procurement (or in his absence the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions) to accept tender orders in order to expedite the contract award process”. With such a clause being applied, it is thereafter a requirement of the GCSOs for the contract award to be reported to the next appropriate Committee. Recommendations The Committee is requested to: AGENDA ITEM 9 Page 101 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 As previously reported to the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee in February 2022, the Business Intelligence (BI) Hub provides capacity within the council to provide information, intelligence, and insights on service delivery with the key objectives being, to reduce the volume and complexity of current reporting and achieve a shift to future state forecasting to support key strategic decision making at both a policy and a service level within the council. 1.2 Changes in business and working practices mean the Council now requires access to data and intelligence any time, anywhere and in a format that supports insightful informed decision making. 1.3 It is crucial therefore that the future business intelligence model: • ensures more effective use of business intelligence in the delivery of services; • supports decision making that is supported by data and insight and drives efficiency, and • uses business intelligence to focus resources where they are needed. 1.4 To support this the council needs a flexible operating model for business intelligence which is scalable across the organisation and ensures we have the right people with the right skills supported by the right technology. 2 Report 2.1 Phases One to Three of the BI Hub development were completed through the previously approved System Integrator contract with Agilisys Limited during the period October 2020 to April 2022. Following the completion of that contract in April 2022 and with future phases of the BI Hub development already planned to assist with the delivery of the Council’s Data Governance Framework and Data and Information Management Strategic Roadmap advice was sought on the route to market for the delivery of Phase Four. 2.2 As Council was in recess, the Clause 21.3.2 within the General Contract Standing Orders (GCSO) was invoked which states, “Between Committee cycles where there is no appropriate Committee available then the Chief Executive or the appropriate Executive Director (substitutes may not act) may instruct the Head of Assets and Procurement (or in his absence the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions) to accept tender orders in order to expedite the contract award process.” 2.3 With such a clause being applied, it is thereafter a requirement of the GCSOs for the contract award to be reported to the next appropriate Committee. 1) homologate the approval of the award of the Contract to Agilisys Limited at the maximum value of £567,975 exclusive of VAT for a period of 11 months which commenced on 1 May 2022. 2) otherwise note the content of the report. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements Page 102 of 181
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2.4 The Contract is for period of 11 months and commenced on 1 May 2022. The value of the Contract shall not exceed £567,975 Pounds Sterling exclusive of VAT. 2.5 A key element of delivery in Phase Four will be knowledge transfer and upskilling of council staff to allow the organisation, as far as possible, to be self-sufficient in BI Hub development and delivery by the end of Phase Four in March 2023. This will include learning exchanges, training, job shadowing and mentoring support from the agreed provider. Should we require it there is a progress review at the 6-month point. 2.6 In addition during Phase Four Agilisys will: • prepare technical and user documentation for each dashboard and make available to NLC in appropriate libraries • provide training/support/job shadowing to NLC staff to ensure knowlwdge transfer on each dashboard development, design and build. 3 Measures of success 3.1 Success can be demonstrated through the outcomes detailed within The Plan for North Lanarkshire being effectively monitored, and the corresponding data being available to the people who need it, when they need it, and in a way for it to be used to improve our decision making and service delivery. 4. Supporting documents 4.1 Not applicable Katrina Hassell Head of Business and Digital Solutions Page 103 of 181
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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 ☐ All financial information is contained within the body of the report, with all costs of the project included within the DigitalNL investment model, regularly reported to the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee and Policy and Strategy Committee. If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ Financial Solutions routinely monitor spend against the DigitalNL Investment model. 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 have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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 ☐ Page 104 of 181
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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? Iterative deployment of the Business Intelligence hub across council services provides great opportunity to improve the Council’s data management practices and data maturity score, with the Council ultimately looking to map to the ‘advancing’ stage outlined within its approved Data and Information Management (IM) Strategic Roadmap. Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Page 105 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref JMcB/KH Date 29/08/22 Contract Award – Unix Support Services From Head of Business & Digital Email hassellk@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07903 096121 Executive Summary Following consideration and approval by the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee in November 2021, the Council insourced its ICT Service Delivery Contract from Wipro Holdings (UK) Ltd (Wipro) effective April 2022. In recommending operations be insourced, Business and Digital identified Unix skills as an area of risk, advising termination assistance would be sought from Wipro in the first instance to maintain continuity of maintenance and support of the Unix Server estate pending a longer-term procurement exercise. Such maintenance and support therefore remained the responsibility of Wipro Ltd under transitional support arrangements, at a monthly cost of £20,000. The current arrangements are no longer sustainable however due to staffing changes within Wipro Ltd, with an alternative arrangement now required as a matter of urgency. The award of the Contract was completed by conducting a direct award using the Negotiated Tender Procedure (NTP) procedure, in accordance with Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Council’s General Contract Standing Order (GCSO) 9.4.1. This award was a reactive measure to address immediate support requirements. Recommendations Members of the Committee are requested to: (1) Acknowledge the synergies with Datavita as outlined in the report. (2) Approve the award of the contract to Datavita Ltd for the value of one hundred and forty eight thousand, one hundred and eighty five Pounds Sterling (£148,145) exclusive of VAT through the NTP procedure. (3) Otherwise note the report. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement All ambition statements AGENDA ITEM 10 Page 107 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 On 1 April 2022 the managed ICT Service Delivery Contract, which had been under contract with Wipro Ltd was insourced. At that time the support of the Unix estate remained under contract with Wipro Ltd as part of the contract termination assistance. 1.2 The service provides maintenance and support of the Unix server estate and underlying operating system. The Council has 4 Enterprise Class Unix servers on which key applications are deployed including: (i) Housing Management System (HSMS) – which includes modules for the management of Housing and Property Repairs, Homelessness, Anti-Social Behaviour, Rent Accounting and Housing Allocations; (ii) Social Work Information System (MySwis) - which includes modules for the management of Social Work Cases, Justice and Home Care; (iii) Planning and Building Control (UNI-form); (iv) Financial Management (eFinancials); (v) Municipal Bank and Home Insurance. 1.3 As advised to the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee in May and November 2021, the Council did not have Unix support capabilities and resources in- house and would therefore need to seek ongoing third-party provision. To maintain immediate continuity though, these support services were continued through Wipro’s transitional support arrangements following insourcing of the main contract. 1.4 Any service failure in the underlying Unix hardware or operating system on which these applications are deployed would have a severe impact on our ability to deal with critical situations and help vulnerable groups within our community, impacting negatively on customers and our reputation. 2. Report 2.1 The management and support services being procured were previously provided by a Service Delivery Partner, Wipro Ltd, whose contract with NLC ended on 31st March 2022. Under the Termination Assistance clause, Wipro Ltd will continue to provide support for up to 6 months on a rolling monthly basis. The costs associated with this are approximately £20,000 per month. 2.2 HFD Datavita Limited are the providers of our secondary data centre facilities which includes 2 of the 4 Unix servers, amongst other Windows based servers, all of which are used for high availability, fail-over and disaster recovery capabilities. 2.3 HFD Datavita Limited have the capability to supply a managed service for this support, however, this was not part of the initial procurement for Datacentre hosting. There is clear synergy between these two requirements that is uniquely beneficial to the Council. The current contract with HFD Datavita Limited is about to enter year 3 of 3 with a potential 1-year extension. Page 108 of 181
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2.4 The Council will continue to require a secondary hosting environment for the foreseeable future and will be conducting a further procurement for hosted services before the end of this financial year, it is intended that this will include additional requirements such as Unix support. 2.5 This NTP proposes that a 1 year contract be awarded to HFD Datavita Limited for Unix support services, so that the proposed future procurement can then seek the most advantageous combined award. Due to the tight timescales and the high costs associated with the transition support being provided by Wipro, the proposal that has been submitted by HFD Datavita Limited provides NLC with best value and allows NLC to obtain the required support from a trusted existing supplier. 2.6 The Wipro support that is currently in place was only intended to be a short-term measure as current support is provided by a single individual located in England. Unix support tends to be in high demand therefore giving rise to a major risk of our nominated resource finding employment elsewhere or being redeployed by Wipro internally. Indeed, the Council was recently advised this individual has submitted his notice at Wipro. He left the organisation on 5 August 2022, creating an emergency for the Council, given Wipro Ltd only had a single resource available with Unix support skills. 2.7 With this change in circumstances, Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 was invoked with a proposal for a 1-year NTP with HFD Datavita Limited. 2.8 Having followed the General Contract Standing Order (GCSO) and discussed the requirement, approved through the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG), with the Heads of Asset and Procurement Solutions and Legal and Democratic Solutions, the Head of Business and Digital determined the Negotiated Tendering Procedure (NTP) was appropriate to use in this instance. 3. Measures of success (a) Supporting the works of the Digital Community, Digital Economy and Digital Council. 4. Supporting documentation N/A Katrina Hassell Head of Business and Digital Page 109 of 181
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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 ☐ All financial information is contained within the body of the report, with all insourcing costs – including Unix support – previously included within relevant reports to the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee. If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? 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 have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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 ☐ Page 110 of 181
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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? Paragraph 1.2 details the business-critical nature of supporting the underlying Unix operation system. Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Paragraph 2.8 confirms discussion has taken place at this key governance group. 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? Paragraph 1.2 highlights the business-critical nature of Unix support, which paragraph 2.6 above highlights is in high demand. Lack of Unix support therefore presents a major risk to Council operations. Whilst Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 appropriately permits a one-year NTP, scope for challenge may still exist given termination assistance from Wipro was a known factor. Page 111 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref: NLC-CPT-21-110 Date: 29/08/2022 Contract Award for a Conservation Architect Design Team Framework Agreement From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail hodges@northlann.gov.uk Telephone Stuart Hodge, Project Development Manager – 07583 091571 Executive Summary This report is to advise Committee of the decision taken in accordance with condition 21.3.2 of the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (GCSO’s) where in the absence of committee, the Chief Executive approved the award of a Conservation Architect Design Team Framework Agreement (the “Framework Agreement”) on 09 June 2020, with the four (4) tenderers listed below appointed: • MASTARCH Limited t/a MAST Architects; • Page \ Park Limited; • Robert Potter and Partners LLP; and • Smith Scott Mullan + Associates Limited. Following successful conclusion of the required standstill period, the Framework Agreement was formally awarded on 23 June 2022. The Framework Agreement is for an initial period of 24 months and commenced on 01 July 2022 and will initially expire on 30 June 2024. The Council reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for two (2) additional 12-month periods until 30 June 2026. The maximum value of the Framework Agreement shall not exceed Three-Million Pounds Sterling (£3,000,000.00) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee acknowledges the award of the Framework Agreement in accordance with GCSO 21.3.2 at the maximum value of Three-Million Pounds Sterling (£3,000,000.00) exclusive of VAT with the four (4) tenderers listed above appointed. This recommendation follows the completion of a procurement procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Council’s GCSO’s, where the tenders recommended for award were evaluated as providing the most economically advantageous tenders in terms of cost and quality for the Council. AGENDA ITEM 11 Page 113 of 181
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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 1. Background 1.1 The Council has a positive plan for North Lanarkshire, its businesses and its people, boosting the local economy and creating jobs. The Council has one of the fastest growing economies in Scotland before the health emergency and an independent report shows that the Council is one of the best-placed councils to withstand the economic impact of coronavirus. The Council still plans to invest £3.5billlion over the next 10 years, which, along with private sector inward investment, will create around 12,000 jobs and generate an additional £1billion for the local economy. 1.2 The Councils “Growth Team” was formed in January 2019 with the remit of developing and managing physical regeneration projects within North Lanarkshire town centres undertaken as part of the Council’s “Ambition Programme”. This Programme will deliver an ambitious regeneration agenda set out within the Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan (ERDP), particularly regarding reshaping and renewing North Lanarkshire’s town centres. The Council is making significant progress, with investment and development happening in all our towns and communities. 1.3 As part of this agenda, the Council is investigating ways in which we can identify, purchase, and redevelop key buildings and / or land within our town centres. This initiative is intended to renew buildings that have become unused or underutilised in order to reinvigorate the town centres with the added benefit of increasing footfall to local businesses. The primary focus of redeveloping these buildings to date has been for them to be converted into social housing as part of the council’s new supply programme, but other outcomes may be more suitable depending on the location of the building, surrounding uses and residential requirements in a particular location. 1.4 Additionally, The Council has an approved programme to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035. The Councils New Supply Team is responsible for the delivery of this large- scale programme and its challenges, not least, the procurement of design consultants and contractors to build the houses to the required standard, within the timescale required and at a competitive cost. 1.5 Accordingly, the Council intends to implement a framework agreement to enable appointment of multiple conservation architect consultants to lead a multi-disciplinary design team that includes (but not limited to) structural / civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and specialist surveyors as required (i.e., rot, asbestos, traffic, acoustic etc.) to provide options for design and project management services for the conversion of selected buildings. This approach should provide the Council with a direct route to market for future projects as and when they are identified. 1.6 The requirements of the Framework Agreement have never been contracted before by the Council therefore historical contract information is not available. Page 114 of 181
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2. Report 2.1 A user intelligence group (the ‘UIG’) of technical and procurement representatives was formed to review technical specifications, discuss trading processes, market conditions and trends, ways to maximise community benefits and sustainability and to agree the procurement strategy that would deliver maximum benefit for the Council via the Framework Agreement. 2.2 The initial estimated value of the Framework Agreement dictated that the procurement procedure be undertaken in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. An advert for the contract opportunity was published on the Public Contracts Scotland and the UK Find a Tender (FTS) website. 2.3 The procurement procedure was undertaken as an “Open Procedure” Based on the evaluation criteria and scoring methodology set out in the invitation to tender package within the procurement procedure, an evaluation of tender responses was completed by members identified by the UIG. Selection stage responses were assessed first and compliant tenderers that satisfied / declared that they met the published minimum selection stage criteria progressed to the award stage evaluation. Following identification of the recommended tenderer(s), their selection stage responses were assessed in more detail to ensure they satisfied the minimum selection stage criteria applied 2.4 The Framework Agreement award recommendation is made on the basis of the tenderer’s that submitted the most economically advantageous tenders. 2.5 It was the Council’s intention to appoint a maximum of six (6) consultants to the Framework Agreement. Following the evaluation of tenders received in terms of quality and price, and in line with the conditions applied within the invitation to tender documents, the Council proposed to appoint eight (8) consultants to the Framework Agreement as the 7th and 8th ranked tenderers total scores were within 1.00 of the 6th ranked tenderer. However, when undertaking the “Request for Documentation” stage of the evaluation process to ensure all tenderers recommended for appointment satisfied the minimum selection stage criteria applied within the procurement procedure, four (4) tenderers failed to demonstrate sufficient previous experience to that required within the scope of the Framework Agreement. As four (4) of the eight (8) tenderers identified for appointment to the Framework Agreement failed to demonstrate sufficient previous experience, an assessment of the 9th ranked tenderer was also undertaken to ascertain whether they could demonstrate sufficient previous experience that would enable them to be recommended for appointment in line with the Councils intention to appoint a maximum of six (6) consultants to the Framework Agreement. However, following an assessment of the 9th ranked tenderer’s previous experience examples, they were also assessed to be unable to satisfy the minimum selection stage criteria applied within the procurement procedure Accordingly, the tender(s) submitted by the four (4) tenderers listed below were recommended for appointment to the Framework Agreement: • MASTARCH Limited t/a MAST Architects; • Page \ Park Limited; • Robert Potter and Partners LLP; and • Smith Scott Mullan + Associates Limited. Page 115 of 181
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2.6 Appendix 1 confirms the scoring achieved by each tenderer, further details of the procurement procedure is provided in Appendix 2 and the SME status and location of all tenderers is located within Appendix 3. 2.7 The value of the Framework Agreement is Three-Million Pounds Sterling (£3,000,000.00) exclusive of VAT including any option to extend the Framework Agreement. 2.8 The costs associated with contract delivery will be contained within the capital budgets for the Growth Team, Planning and Regeneration and any additional external funding that can be achieved. Additionally, the New Supply Team within Planning and Regeneration may also access the Framework Agreement via their capital and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as well as any additional external funding that can be achieved. Price Savings / Increases 2.9 The Framework Agreement is not expected to deliver cashable procurement savings. Any savings that may come to fruition within the Framework Agreement shall be reinvested into specific projects to maximise improvements and outlays with the Councils town centre / urban environments. Price Stability 2.10 Rates received shall be firm for the initial 24-months of the Framework Agreement. Subsequent to that initial period, there is provision within the Framework Agreement for recommended tenderer’s to request annual reviews of their submitted “Day Rates” however these will require to be no greater than the current National Retail Price Index. It will be at the sole discretion of the Council whether to accept or reject any pricing amendments proposed. Community Benefits 2.11.1 The Council is committed to maximising the delivery of community benefits. The procurement included a community benefit requirement, this approach is designed to deliver local community benefits where possible. 2.11.2 Within tenders submitted by tenderer’s recommended for appointment to the Framework Agreement, the following community benefits within the Framework Agreement: Community Benefit Type Quantity Committed Graduate Initiatives 1 Educational Visits 9 Industry Awareness Events 9 Financial Support for a Community Project / Organisation 2 Non-financial support for a Community Project / Organisation 5 Work Experience Placements (14 to 16 years of age) 7 Work Experience Placements (16+ years of age) 4 Page 116 of 181
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A significant number of community benefits have been committed to within the contract award procedure as a whole. However, the delivery of selected community benefits will only be applicable in the event a consultant appointed to the Framework Agreement is awarded a call-off contract. 2.11.3 The community benefits delivered as part of the Framework Agreement includes the creation of jobs or apprenticeships. Fair Work First 2.12 Within tender’s received for the four (4) consultants identified for appointment to the Framework Agreement confirmed commitment to the Scottish Government’s “Fair Work First” initiative with all four (4) confirming they have a Living Wage Policy and three (3) out of the four (4) confirming that they are accredited Living Wage providers. Contract Strategy 2.13 Officers from the Growth Team, Planning and Regeneration will be responsible for managing the Framework Agreement and all appropriate call-off contracts, all of which will be undertaken in accordance with the Councils agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3. Measures of success The Framework Agreement will deliver the following outcomes; 3.1 The appointment of a consultants who have the experience and capability to deliver innovative, high quality and responsive conservation led architect design team that will deliver the minimum delivery targets within the Framework Agreement; 3.2 The Framework Agreement award procedure is compliant with the procurement legislation and internal procedures; 3.3 That best value is both demonstrable and achieved; 3.4 That the Framework Agreement secures a range of community benefits; 3.5 That the Framework Agreement secured a number of “Fair Work First” initiatives; 3.6 That the Framework Agreement performance is proactively managed against a number of local Key Performance Indicators and national targets; and 3.7 A collaborative approach to the procurement of the requirement, minimising the burden on internal resource and leveraging the economies of scale. 4. Supporting documents Appendix 1 Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Appendix 2 Summary of Procurement Process Page 117 of 181
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Appendix 3 SME Status and Location of All Tenderers Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 118 of 181
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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 ☒ 5.2 Financial Impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.3 HR Policy Impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 ☒ 5.5 Data Protection Impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? 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 ☒ 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? Environmental / Carbon Neutral Costs will be paramount within relevant design costs given the Councils carbon neutral targets. 5.8 Communications Impact Page 119 of 181
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Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.9 Risk Impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ Page 120 of 181
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Appendix 1 – Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Final Rank Tenderer Name Total Tender Score (%) Recommended for Appointment 1 Smith Scott Mullan + Associates Limited 83.81% Yes 2 Robert Potter and Partners LLP 83.36% Yes 3 Collective Architecture Limited 81.57% No* 4 Loader and Monteith Architects Limited 79.47% No* 5 MASTARCH Limited t/a MAST Architects 76.90% Yes 6 Wylie Shanks Architects LLP 76.73% No* 7 Page \ Park Limited 76.58% Yes 8 Austin-Smith:Lord Limited 75.86% No* 9 Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design Limited 71.60% No* * Tenderer failed to demonstrate sufficient previous experience to that required within the scope of the Framework Agreement. Page 121 of 181
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Appendix 2 – Summary of Procurement Process Response Procurement Procedure Utilised: Open Procedure Governing Legislation / Regulations: Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Date Contract Strategy Approved: 25 February 2022 Date Contract Notice Published: 28 February 2022 Total Expressions of Interest Received: 47 NLC Based of Expressions of Interest: 0 Tender Return Deadline: 12 noon, 05 April 2022 Number of Tenders Received: 9 Tenders Received from SME’s: 9 Tenders Received from NLC Based Tenderers: 0 Number of Non−compliant Tenders: 0 Number of Compliant Tenders: 9 Number of Recommended Tenderers: 4 Basis of Award: Quality: 70% Price: 30% Evaluation Team: Officers from the Growth Team, Planning and Regeneration Approval Obtained via GCSO 21.3.2: 09 June 2022 Standstill Period Commenced: 10 June 2022 Standstill Period Expired: 20 June 2022 Framework Agreement Award Date: 23 June 2022 Framework Agreement Start Date: 01 July 2022 Total Contract Period (Months): 24 + 12 + 12 (48 Total) Maximum Total Framework Agreement Value: £3,000,000.00 Page 122 of 181
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Appendix 3 – SME Status and location of all Tenderers Name of Tenderer Size of Tendering Organisation (Micro, Small, Medium or Large) Location (Local Authority / Council Area) Austin-Smith:Lord Limited Medium Liverpool City Collective Architecture Limited Small Glasgow City Loader and Monteith Architects Limited Micro Glasgow City MASTARCH Limited t/a MAST Architects Small Glasgow City Page \ Park Limited Small Glasgow City Robert Potter and Partners LLP Small South Ayrshire Smith Scott Mullan + Associates Limited Small City of Edinburgh Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design Limited Small Glasgow City Wylie Shanks Architects LLP Micro Glasgow City Page 123 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref: LN/LO Date: 29 August 2022 Contract Award for Ravenscraig Multidisciplinary Project Services From Pamela Humphries , Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail nobleyl@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Lyndsay Noble 07970 016256 Executive Summary Committee is asked to note the award of a contract for Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure North – Multidisciplinary Project Services (the ‘Contract’) to Amey OW Limited. The award of contract has been approved by the Chief Executive, in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (June 2022), to expedite the contract award in the absence of the Committee meeting in Cycle 2. The Contract is for an initial period of 72 months with a commencement date of 28 June 2022. The value of the Contract shall not exceed one million, nine hundred and ninety-two thousand, eight hundred and twelve Pounds Sterling (£1,992,812) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee notes the action taken to award the Contract to Amey OW Limited at the maximum value of one million, nine hundred and ninety-two thousand, eight hundred and twelve Pounds Sterling (£1,992,812) exclusive of VAT. This recommendation follows: 1. The completion of a procurement procedure, where the tender recommended for award has been evaluated as providing the most economically advantageous tender in terms of cost and quality for the council. 2. Instruction by the Chief Executive to the Head of Assets and Procurement Solutions to accept the Tender. 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 AGENDA ITEM 12 Page 125 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 The requirements of the Contract have never been contracted before by the council therefore historical contract information is not available. 1.2 The Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure North (RAI North) project, as per extant planning permission ref 13/01279/FUL, is being progressed under the Glasgow City Region (GCR) City Deal programme as one part of the wider Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project being delivered in phases to improve strategic connections, north from Ravenscraig to the M8 and south to Motherwell and the M74, in support of the ongoing redevelopment of Ravenscraig under the 2020 approved revised masterplan. 1.3 The RAI North project will improve the strategic road link, and provision for active travel, north from Ravenscraig to the M8 along the A723/B799 road corridor. 1.4 A consultant team to provide multidisciplinary project services has been procured to further develop proposals on the basis of the 2013 extant planning permission and in consideration of current design guidance and principles. 1.5 The award of Contract follows approval by the council’s Enterprise and Housing Committee in May 2018 to procure Professional Services to develop the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access in accordance with the GCR City Deal Procurement Strategy and the phased programme for delivery as presented in the Outline Business Case approved by Enterprise and Growth Committee in August 2020 and by the GCR City Deal Cabinet in October 2020. 1.6 The Contract award is for professional services to progress the RAI North project through detailed design and construction including: • Engineering and landscaping design • Pre-construction CDM • Preparation of works tender information and assessment of contractor submissions • Management of the works contract including cost consultancy and quantity surveying • Site supervision and quality control. 2. Report 2.1 A user intelligence group (the ‘UIG’) of technical and procurement representatives was formed to review technical specifications, discuss trading processes, market conditions and trends, ways to maximise community benefits and sustainability and to agree the procurement strategy that would deliver maximum benefit for the council via the Contract. 2.2 The initial estimated value of the Contract dictated that the procurement procedure be undertaken in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. 2.3 The procurement procedure was undertaken as a “Mini Competition” from the Scotland Excel framework agreement for Engineering and Technical Consultancy Services. 2.4 The Contract award recommendation is made on the basis of the tenderer who submitted the most economically advantageous tender. Page 126 of 181
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2.5 The tender submitted by Amey OW Limited has been evaluated as representing the most economically advantageous tender for this Contract. 2.6 Appendix 1 confirms the scoring achieved by each tenderer, further details of the procurement procedure is provided in Appendix 2 and the SME status and location of all tenderers is located within Appendix 3. 2.7 The maximum Contract value of £1,992,812 exclusive of VAT comprises the following costs: • Professional services Contract to a value of £1,788,912; • A provisional sum of £100,000 for surveys and assessments to develop the engineering and landscape design; • A 5.5% council continency to a value of £103,900 to be held during the design and construction period. 2.8 The costs associated with contract delivery will be contained within the capital budget for the Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project as provided under the GCR City Deal programme and the council’s capital programme. Price Savings / Increases 2.9 There are no cashable savings attributed to the Contract. Price Stability 2.10 The pricing mechanism is a Priced Contract with Activity Schedule offering a good level of cost certainty. Community Benefits 2.11.1 The Council is committed to maximising the delivery of community benefits. The procurement included a community benefit requirement, this approach is designed to deliver local community benefits where possible. 2.11.2 Within their tender, Amey OW Limited committed to deliver the following community benefits within the Contract: Community Benefit Type Quantity Committed SKL03 Work Experience Placement - Foundation Apprenticeship 4 SKL05 Work Experience Placement - School 5 SKL06 Work Experience Placement - Non School 5 SKL07 Careers Events 5 SKL08 Workplace Visit 5 EMP02 New Employee Full Time Job (non-Priority Group) 1 COM02 Non-financial support for a community project (minimum 5 hours). 7 COM01 – Financial Support for a community project (minimum £1k) 1 Page 127 of 181
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2.11.3 The community benefits delivered as part of the Contract includes apprenticeships. Fair Work First 2.12 All contractors appointed to the Scotland Excel Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework have evidenced Fair Work practices and demonstrated how they will promote them in the delivery of contract call-offs from the Framework. Contract Strategy 2.13 Officers from Enterprise Projects will be responsible for managing the Contract which will be undertaken in accordance with the council’s agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The Contract, through the provision of design and project management services, will facilitate the delivery of strategic road infrastructure to enable the redevelopment of Ravenscraig and the realisation of associated economic benefits which will contribute to Strategic Performance Framework Indicators C16 - Gross Added Value and C18 – Economic Activity. 4. Supporting documents Appendix 1 Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Appendix 2 Summary of Procurement Process Appendix 3 SME Status and Location of All Tenderers Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 128 of 181
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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 ☒ The report does not contain information that has an impact. With regard to the project, an Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out for the North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme as well as for the project itself. This will be reviewed and updated as the project design is developed. 5.2 Financial Impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ The Outline Business Case approved in 2020 by the council’s Enterprise and Growth Committee and the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet confirms the funding to be provided to this project under the City Deal Programme. The council’s financial contribution to the costs of the project has been provided for and further approved in the capital programme. 5.3 HR Policy Impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 ☒ The Contract has been prepared in consultation with Legal and the award of Contract is in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders January 2020. 5.5 Data Protection Impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? 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? Page 129 of 181
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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 ☐ The professional services to be commissioned do not have any direct impact on the environment or carbon matters but the construction and use of the infrastructure to be delivered will. The environmental impact of the proposed infrastructure has been assessed at the planning application stage and it will be further assessed as the scheme detailed is developed through to construction. The environmental impact of the works on site will be managed and mitigated through the constructor’s Construction Environmental Management Plan. 5.8 Communications Impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ The City Deal Programme and the projects within it are well publicised on an ongoing basis through web updates and regular press releases issued by Corporate Communications. 5.9 Risk Impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☐ No ☒ There is no specific risk impact from this Contract. Project risks and their mitigation are managed through the council’s City Deal programme risk register and project specific risk register. The registers are managed and reviewed by the council’s City Deal Board, Ravenscraig Project Board and project team. Page 130 of 181
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Appendix 1 – Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Price Weighting 30% Quality Weighting 70% Tenderer Name Weighted Price Score Weighted Qualitative Score pre- presentation Tender Score pre- presentation * Total Tender Score Final Rank Amey OW Limited 27.70% 54.00% 81.70% 85.20% 1 AECOM Limited 30.00% 50.50% 80.50% 85.00% 2 Sweco UK Limited 24.82% 52.00% 76.82% 79.82% 3 Atkins Limited ** N/A 45.75% N/A N/A N/A Stantec UK Limited ** N/A 42.50% N/A N/A N/A Note: * Only those tenderers achieving a combined technical and commercial score within 5% of the highest placed bidder prior to assessment of the Presentations were invited to give a presentation to the council and its project team. ** Tenderers with a N/A ranking failed to meet the minimum requirements and / or pass mark of 70 applied to specific quality questions in the technical assessment and as such were excluded from further participation in the procurement in accordance with the tender instruction and evaluation guidance issued with the invitation to tender. Page 131 of 181
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Appendix 2 – Summary of Procurement Process Response Procurement Procedure Utilised: Call-off contract from third party framework agreement Governing Legislation / Regulations: Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Date Contract Strategy Approved: 07 March 2022 Number of Candidates Invited to Tender: 14 Tender Return Deadline: 3rd May 2022 Number of Tenders Received: 5 Tenders Received from SME’s: 0 Tenders Received from NLC Based Tenderers: 0 Number of Non−compliant Tenders: 0 Number of Compliant Tenders: 5 Number of Recommended Tenderers: 1 Basis of Contract Award: Quality: 70 Price: 30 Evaluation Team: Staff from Enterprise Projects Team Anticipated Contract Start Date: 28 June 2022 Total Contract Period (Months): 72 Maximum Total Contract Value: £1,992,812 Appendix 3 – SME Status and location of all Tenderers Name of Tenderer Size of Tendering Organisation (Micro, Small, Medium or Large) Location (Local Authority / Council Area) AECOM Limited Large Glasgow Amey OW Limited Large North Lanarkshire Atkins Limited Large Edinburgh Stantec UK Limited Large Glasgow Sweco UK Limited Large Glasgow Page 132 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref: PH/RavLUF Date: 29 August 2022 Contract Award for Ravenscraig Levelling Up Fund – Professional Services for Project Team From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail speedj@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Jonathan Speed 07583 669625 Executive Summary Committee is asked to note the award of contracts for Ravenscraig Levelling Up Fund – Design & Planning Services (the ‘D&P Contract’) to Sweco UK Limited and for Ravenscraig Levelling Up Fund – Project & Contract Management Services (the ‘PCM Contract’) to Currie and Brown UK Limited. The award of the D&P Contract and the PCM Contract (together the ‘Contracts’) has been approved by the Deputy Chief Executive, in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders (June 2022), to expedite the contract awards and commencement of services, in order to achieve the programme requirements of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, in the absence of a Committee meeting. The D&P Contract is for an initial period of 23 months anticipated to commence on 18th July 2022. The Council reserves the right to extend the D&P Contract for additional periods up to a maximum of a further 12 months. The value of the D&P Contract shall not exceed five hundred and twenty three thousand, nine hundred and seventy six pounds and thirty one pence, sterling (£523,976.31) exclusive of VAT. The PCM Contract is for an initial period of 4 years, 9 months anticipated to commence on 18th July 2022. The Council reserves the right to extend the PCM Contract for additional periods up to a maximum of a further 12 months. The value of the PCM Contract shall not exceed three hundred and twenty thousand, one hundred and thirty pounds and seventy six pence Sterling (£320,130.76) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee notes the action taken to award: 1. The D&P Contract to Sweco UK Limited at the maximum value of five hundred and twenty three thousand, nine hundred and seventy six pounds and thirty one pence, sterling (£523,976.31) exclusive of VAT AGENDA ITEM 13 Page 133 of 181
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2. The PCM Contract to Currie and Brown UK Limited at the maximum value of three hundred and twenty thousand, one hundred and thirty pounds and seventy six pence Sterling (£320,130.76) exclusive of VAT. This recommendation follows: 1. Approval by the Chief Executive in April 2022, between committee cycles in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders, 15th Edition (January 2020) of the commencement of procurement and inviting of tenders. 2. The completion of a procurement procedure, where the tenders recommended for award have been evaluated as providing the most economically advantageous tender in terms of cost and quality for the Council. 3. Instruction by the Deputy Chief Executive to the Head of Assets and Procurement Solutions to accept the Tenders. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition Statement (21) Continue to identify and access opportunities to leverage additional resources to support our ambitions 1 Background 1.1 The requirements of the D&P Contract and PCM Contract have never been contracted before by the Council therefore historical contract information is not available. 1.2 In November 2021, Enterprise & Growth Committee noted the scoping of applications to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (the ‘LUF’) and approved their submission, including for enabling works at Ravenscraig, to support this wider regeneration initiative. 1.3 Subsequent to this, during late 2021 and early 2022, feasibility studies were undertaken to develop the scope of an application for Ravenscraig and in March 2022, Policy and Strategy Committee approved the proposed scope of the application. 1.4 An application will be made to the LUF in August 2022 to support remedial and enabling groundworks and the creation of a development platform for mixed use town centre plots which would advance and promote development at Ravenscraig, building on the development of the Sports Facility, the Park, the new Employment Access Road and related plots, forthcoming active travel connections and the City Deal infrastructure. 1.5 The application to the LUF will be specifically to support the cost of: • Remedial and enabling groundworks and preparation of clean platform • Provision of new network utilities and service infrastructure including electricity, water, drainage, and including an energy network and centre • Providing new pedestrian, cycling and road access from Robberhall Road 1.6 The prospectus for the second round of the LUF was published on 23 March 2022. The prospectus confirmed the Council’s earlier expectations of timing for spend of any monies awarded, i.e., that projects should demonstrate spend from the LUF in 2022-23 financial year and that all funding provided from the LUF is expected to be spent by 31 March 2025 and by 2025-26 on an exceptional basis. Page 134 of 181
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1.7 It is currently assumed that announcements on the outcome of applications will be made in the autumn budget, expected be in late October 2022. 1.8 A programme for the development of detailed proposals and their implementation has been prepared which demonstrates that these timescales, whilst challenging, can be met. This programme includes all necessary Committee and other statutory approvals, including planning, education, procurement. 1.9 As noted in the report to Policy & Strategy Committee in March 2022, the requirement to spend by the end 2024/25 requires some preparatory work to be undertaken in advance of the outcome of the funding application being known and that this would include development of detailed proposals for planning and procurement including the submission of a Proposal of Application Notice and commencement of associated public consultation for the planning application for the works to be supported by the LUF funded works. 1.10 This preparatory work to develop the detailed proposals for planning, including public consultation, for the LUF funded works is required to commence in summer 2022. Accordingly the Council required to commence the procurement of the professional team during May 2022. The commencement of procurement and inviting of tenders was approved by the Chief Executive on 28th April 2022, between committee cycles in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders, 15th Edition (January 2020). 2 Report 2.1 A user intelligence group (the ‘UIG’) of technical and procurement representatives was formed to review technical specifications, discuss trading processes, market conditions and trends, ways to maximise community benefits and sustainability and to agree the procurement strategy that would deliver maximum benefit for the Council via the D&P Contract and PCM Contract. 2.2 The initial estimated value of the contracts dictated that the procurement procedure be undertaken in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. 2.3 The procurement procedure was undertaken as a “Mini Competition” from the Scotland Excel framework agreement for Engineering and Technical Consultancy Services. 2.4 The Contract award recommendations are made on the basis of the tenderers who submitted the most economically advantageous tenders. 2.5 The tenders submitted by Sweco UK Limited and Currie and Brown UK Limited have been evaluated as representing the most economically advantageous tender for the D&P Contract and PCM Contract respectively. 2.6 Appendix 1 confirms the scoring achieved by each tenderer, further details of the procurement procedure is provided in Appendix 2 and the SME status and location of all tenderers is located within Appendix 3. 2.7 The value of the D&P Contract is five hundred and twenty three thousand, nine hundred and seventy six pounds and thirty one pence, sterling (£523,976.31) exclusive of VAT including any option to extend the Contract. Page 135 of 181
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2.8 The value of the PCM Contract is three hundred and twenty thousand, one hundred and thirty pounds and seventy six pence Sterling (£320,130.76) exclusive of VAT including any option to extend the Contract. 2.9 The costs associated with contract delivery will be contained within the capital budget for Ravenscraig Levelling Up Fund project. 2.10 As noted at 1.9 above, the Council is required to proceed to commence the development of detailed proposals for planning and procurement in advance of the outcome of the LUF application being known, however the contracts for services are staged accordingly to reflect the period prior to the funding outcome and the period following the outcome. Whilst the work of the project team in the first stage is not expected to be undertaken at the Consultants’ risk, their continued appointment beyond the funding announcement will be subject to a successful LUF award. 2.11 The value of the first stage of services, with a value of £390,000, is met through resources earmarked by the service for this purpose. Expenditure for later stages is supported through the LUF should the LUF application be successful. Price Savings / Increases 2.12 There are no cashable savings attributed to the Contract. Price Stability 2.13 The pricing mechanism is a Priced Contract with Activity Schedule offering a good level of cost certainty. Community Benefits 2.13.1 The Council is committed to maximising the delivery of community benefits. The procurement included a community benefit requirement, this approach is designed to deliver local community benefits where possible. 2.13.2 Within their tenders, Sweco UK Limited and Currie and Brown UK Limited committed to deliver the following community benefits within the Contracts: Community Benefit Type Quantity Committed Sweco Currie and Brown Work Experience Placement – school (includes virtual options) 2 3 Work Experience Placement – non -school (includes virtual options) 1 3 Non-financial consultancy support for a local community project 1 1 Page 136 of 181
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Fair Work First 2.14 All contractors appointed to the Scotland Excel Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework have evidenced Fair Work practices and demonstrated how they will promote them in the delivery of contract call-offs from the Framework. Contract Strategy 2.15 Officers from Enterprise Projects will be responsible for managing the Contract which will be undertaken in accordance with the Councils agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3 Measures of success 3.1 Successful appointment of a professional team will support the development of detailed proposals for and their implementation for the Ravenscraig LUF project. A successful Ravenscraig LUF application will support development of both Council and community assets and the development and regeneration of Ravenscraig. 4 Supporting documents Appendix 1 Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Appendix 2 Summary of Procurement Process Appendix 3 SME Status and Location of All Tenderers Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration Page 137 of 181
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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 ☒ A Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment will be completed alongside the development of the LUF application. 5.2 Financial Impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The cost of developing the application to date is supported by monies provided by the UK Government and Ravenscraig Ltd. The expenditure required to develop and prepare detailed proposals in advance of the outcome of the LUF application being known will be funded from within existing budgets. 5.3 HR Policy Impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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? Page 138 of 181
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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 ☒ 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? The original masterplan and permission for the development of Ravenscraig was supported by an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment, and a number of technical assessments were updated in the preparation of the Revised Masterplan in 2017. Further detailed assessments will form a part of the planning applications for the LUF funded works and for subsequent development of the proposed end uses 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? As noted at 1.9 the requirement to spend by the end 2024/25 requires some preparatory work to be undertaken in advance of the outcome of the funding application being known and that this would include development of detailed proposals for planning and procurement including the submission of a Proposal of Application Notice and commencement of associated public consultation for the planning application for the works to be supported by the LUF funded works. 5.9 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 primary risks at this time relate to: Page 139 of 181
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• The need to incur some potentially abortive costs in order to progress preparations for the works in advance of knowing the outcome of the bid, due to the tight timescales for spending the funding. • The uncertainty of securing funding which means the statutory education consultation regarding the change of site will only take place if the bid is successful • The potential risk that funding will not be fully spent by 31st March 2025 as delivery timescales are tight, taking into account statutory processes Page 140 of 181
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Appendix 1 – Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Price Weighting 40% Quality Weighting 60% Design & Planning Services (the ‘D&P Contract’) Contract Ref: NLC-SLP-22-007 Final Rank Tenderer Name Quality score (%) Price score (%) Total Tender Score (%) Recommended for Contract Award (Y / N) 1 Sweco UK Limited 49.50% 36.76% 86.26% Y 2 Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions (UK) Ltd 44.25% 40.00% 84.25% N Project & Contract Management Services (the ‘PCM Contract’) Contract Ref: NLC-SLP-22-006 Final Rank Tenderer Name Quality score (%) Price score (%) Total Tender Score (%) Recommended for Contract Award (Y / N) 1 Currie and Brown UK Limited 57.50% 40.00% 97.50 Y 2 Turner & Townsend plc 56.50% 33.89% 90.39 N N/A Atkins* 33.00% N/A N/A N * Tenderers with a N/A ranking failed to meet the minimum requirements and / or pass mark of 70 applied to specific quality questions in the technical assessment and as such were excluded from further participation in the procurement in accordance with the tender instruction and evaluation guidance issued with the invitation to tender. Page 141 of 181
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Appendix 2 – Summary of Procurement Process Response Procurement Procedure Utilised: Call-off contract from third party framework agreement Governing Legislation / Regulations: Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Date Contract Strategy Approved: 16 May 2022 Number of Candidates Invited to Tender: D&P Consultant – 14 PCM Consultant – 12 Tender Return Deadline: 24 June 2022 Number of Tenders Received: D&P Consultant – 2 PCM Consultant - 3 Tenders Received from SME’s: 0 Tenders Received from NLC Based Tenderers: 0 Number of Non−compliant Tenders: 0 Number of Compliant Tenders: D&P Consultant – 2 PCM Consultant - 3 Number of Recommended Tenderers: D&P Consultant – 1 PCM Consultant – 1 Basis of Contract Award: Quality: 60% Price: 40% Evaluation Team: Staff from Enterprise Projects Team Anticipated Contract Start Date: 18 July 2022 Total Contract Period (Months): D&P Consultant – 23 months PCM Consultant – 51 months Maximum Total Contract Value: D&P Consultant – £523,976.31 excl VAT PCM Consultant – £320,130.76 excl VAT Page 142 of 181
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Appendix 3 – SME Status and location of all Tenderers Name of Tenderer Size of Tendering Organisation (Micro, Small, Medium or Large) Location (Local Authority / Council Area) Sweco UK Limited Large Edinburgh Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions (UK) Ltd Large Edinburgh Currie and Brown UK Limited Large Glasgow Turner & Townsend plc Large Glasgow Atkins Large Edinburgh Page 143 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref Netcall/Assistive Date 29/08/22 Contracts Awards – Business and Digital From Head of Business and Digital E-mail hassellk@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 07903096121 Executive Summary In compliance with clause 21 of the General Contract Standing Orders (GCSO), this report recognises two independent contract awards in respect of (a) Assistive Technologies and (b) the maintenance and support of the Council’s Netcall telephony services. The contract for Assistive Technologies was awarded using a Negotiated Tendering Procedure (NTP) outlined within section 9 of the GCSO (the ‘Contract’) to The Access Technology Company Ltd through the Chief Executive, under his delegated authority in compliance with GCSO 21.3.2. Contract details are provided within paragraph 1.2 below. The contract is for a period of nine months, and the value of the Contract shall not exceed one hundred and thirty-five thousand pounds (£135,000.00) Pounds Sterling exclusive of VAT. A contract for Annual Maintenance and Support (the ‘Contract’) was awarded to Netcall Ltd by the Head of Business and Digital Solutions invoking the Negotiated Tendering Procedure (NTP) outlined with section 9 of the GCSO. The Contract is for a period of 12 months with the option to extend for another period of 12 months, and the value of the Contract shall not exceed one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred- and four-Pounds Sterling (£157,604.00) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee recognise the content of the report and the undernoted contract awards. (a) award of the Assistive Technologies Contract to The Access Technology Company Ltd at the maximum value of one hundred and thirty-five thousand Pounds Sterling (£135,000) exclusive of VAT. (b) award of the Netcall Annual Maintenance and Support contract to Netcall Ltd at the maximum value of one hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred- and four- Pounds Sterling (£157,604.00) exclusive of VAT. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement (18) Ensure our digital transformation is responsive to all people's needs and enable access to the services they need AGENDA ITEM 14 Page 145 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 In line with the Council’s Data Custodian Model, which has been the subject of previous reports to the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee, several contracts awarded through Business & Digital support digital services and infrastructure across all council services. Two such contract awards are detailed below. 1.2 Assistive Technology 1.2.1 This contract is required to complete the migration to M365 in line with the council’s digital programme. This will allow all assistive technology users to utilise the new M365 office suite and to fully collaborate with colleagues. 1.2.2 Access Technology Company (ATC) have a long-standing partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, supporting employees with existing and acquired health issues and disabilities. 1.2.3 It has been identified that there is an ongoing need for continued support. This will be dealt with under a separate contract, currently in the draft stage and will be submitted to a future committee for consideration. 1.2.4 The contract will prepare a robust plan for the device deployment minimising disruption to assistive technology users. 1.3 Annual Maintenance and Support Contract for Netcall Telephony 1.3.1 Netcall Ltd currently provide the Council’s corporate automatic call distribution (ACD) telephony system, with such business-critical council-wide for managing customer demand. Current functionality available through the Netcall Ltd solution includes customer contact through telephone calls, e-mail and web chat, and an ability to maintain service delivery via home working. 1.3.2 The system allows incoming calls to be routed across the organisation to ensure that services meet customer demand and manage critical delivery through skills-based routing, menus, and messaging to update customers and direct calls to the appropriate teams. 1.3.3 Netcall Ltd are the sole providers of the Council’s telephony hardware, software, and maintenance. 2. Report 2.1 Assistive Technology 2.1.1 Through the delegated authority provided within GCSO 21.3.2, the Chief Executive instructed the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions to award the contract for Assistive Technologies (the ‘Contract’). These subsequent paragraphs provide committee with details of the contract award. 2.1.2 This contract supports users across the council with varied additional needs. It fully supports the migration to M365 allowing users to fully integrate and collaborate with colleagues. Furthermore, the contract will provide a full detailed inventory of NLC’s assistive technology users and all associated software and hardware. The users will be Page 146 of 181
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fully supported through the migration process minimising any disruption to the user and the organisation. 2.1.3 As detailed in paragraph 1.2 above The Access Technology Company Ltd (ATC) have a longstanding partnership with North Lanarkshire Council. ATC are pioneers in this field with a people first ethos. Due to the lack of competition in this field the contract has been awarded under GCSO 5.2 where competition is absent for technical reasons and for continuity of service provision until such times as the ongoing requirement for this service is reviewed by the technology user group. 2.2 Netcall - Annual Maintenance and Support Contract 2.2.1 As detailed in paragraph 1.3.3 above Netcall Ltd are the sole providers of the Council’s telephony hardware, software, and maintenance and therefore, the only company which can presently deliver and meet the ongoing requirements of the Council, pending the planned wider review of the Council’s telephony strategy. 2.2.2 The initial estimated value of the Contract dictated that the procurement procedure be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016. The Head of Asset and Procurement reported to Transformation and Digitisation Committee on 22 February 2022 that the procuring service had invoked clause 9.3 of the GCSO and used the negotiated tendering procedure to award this contract to Netcall Ltd, without advertising the competition. The circumstances in which the Council may award a contract without competition are prescribed in the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (the “Regulations”), Regulation 6. 2.2.3 Having followed the GCSO and discussed the requirement approved through the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG) with the Heads of Asset and Procurement Solutions and Legal and Democratic Solutions, the Head of Business and Digital determined the Negotiated Tendering Procedure (NTP) was appropriate to use in this instance. Pending the outcome of the planned council-wide review of the Council’s future telephony requirements, it is not currently feasible to replace the existing hardware and software products used to manage customer demand, therefore a final 12-month maintenance contract with the option to award another 12 months period was awarded to the current provider Netcall Ltd to ensure continuity of critical service delivery. 3. Measures of success (a) Supporting the works of the Digital Community, Digital Economy and Digital Council 4. Supporting documentation N/A Katrina Hassell Head of Business and Digital Page 147 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The value of the individual contracts: £135,000 Pounds Sterling, £157,604 Pounds Sterling can be met from within existing revenue budget resources respectively. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? 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 ☐ Page 148 of 181
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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? The services outlined will ensure the digital ambitions of the council continue to be met. Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Page 149 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref HO PM 21 046 Date 29/08/22 MTC – Fire Alarms, Smoke Alarms & Protection Systems – Services and Maintenance – Negotiated Tender Procedure From Brian Lafferty, Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) E-mail starbucks@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Siobhan Starbuck -Contract Support Manager via MS Teams 1. Background 1.1 The repairs and maintenance of fire alarm systems, sprinklers, smoke vents were originally intended to be included in a wider procurement exercise, however due to limited interest in the market this route was unsuitable resulting in an NTP being required to provide the critical service of these life safety systems. 1.2 Spie Scotshield Limited were carrying out the existing contract, and therefore are the incumbent Contractor. Executive Summary Committee is asked to acknowledge the actions of the Head of Housing Property and Projects to award a Negotiated Tender to Spie Scotshield Limited to provide a repairs and maintenance service for fire alarm systems, sprinklers and smoke vents. The Contract commenced on 12th March 2022 until 30th November 2022 inclusive. The value of the Contract is up to a maximum of One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Pounds (£175,000.00) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee acknowledges the actions of the Head of Housing Property and Projects to award a Negotiated Tender to Spie Scotshield Limited. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (14) Ensure the highest standards of public protection AGENDA ITEM 15 Page 151 of 181
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1.3 The requirement has now been reprocured utilising a competitive procurement procedure which is due to commence later in the year. 2. Report 2.1 The decision to award a Contract to Spie Scotshield Limited was based on the circumstance surrounding a wider procurement exercise including CCTV works. This function is critical to ensure life safety systems are maintained and operational and could not wait to be undertake as a competitive procurement procedure. 2.2 The value of the Contract is approximately £175,000.00 Price Savings / Increases 2.3 The pricing is fixed for the duration of the contract. Contract Strategy 2.4 Officers from Housing Property and Projects will be responsible for managing the Contract which will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3. Measures of success It is anticipated that the award of the Contract will deliver the following successful outcomes: 3.1 the works continue to ensure life safety systems are maintained and operational 3.2 the appointment of a Service Provider who has the experience and capability to deliver an innovative, high quality and responsive service; 3.3 the procurement procedure is compliant with procurement legislation and internal procedures; 3.4 that Best Value is both demonstrable and achieved; and 4. Supporting documentation N/A Brian Lafferty Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) 5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) Page 152 of 181
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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? This Contract will work towards improving outcomes for people and communities by assisting the Council to reduce inequalities of outcomes caused by socio-economic disadvantage. The Council will continue to carry out equality impact assessments to determine if policies, practices, decisions, functions and strategies identify any negative impact on any particular group covered by the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The cost associated with contract delivery will be contained within CRA budget. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? N/A 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? As this is a Negotiated Tender Procedure engagement with colleagues in with Legal and Democratic Solutions was sought to provide advice around the risks of proceeding to award without undertaking a competitive procurement procedure. Page 153 of 181
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Risks include the possibility of a challenge to the award decision, however, due to the health and safety aspect of this contract the decision was taken to proceed with the contract award. 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? N/A Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? N/A 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? N/A 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 associated with legal proceedings exist if the award decision is formally challenged, however, risk surrounding health and safety concerns existed if the contract was not awarded. Page 154 of 181
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The service risk register has a specific risk in relation to managing building compliance. This risk has adequate controls in place and is monitored and updated on a monthly basis. Page 155 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref NLC-CPT-21-057(HO PM 21 046) Date 29/08/22 Contract Award for MTC for Fire Alarm, Smoke Alarm and Protection Systems Service and Maintenance in Non-Domestic Properties 2022-2026 From Brian Lafferty - Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) E-mail starbucks@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Siobhan Starbuck - Contract Support Manager via MS Teams Executive Summary Committee is asked to approve the award of a contract for “MTC for Fire Alarm, Smoke Alarm and Protection Systems Service and Maintenance in Non-Domestic Properties 2022-2026” (the ‘Contract’) to SPIE Scotshield Limited. The Contract is for an initial period from 1st December 2022 until 21st January 2024. The Council reserves the right to extend the Contract for additional periods up to a maximum of a further 24 months The value of the Contract shall not exceed Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds (£800,000.00) exclusive of VAT. Recommendations It is recommended that Committee approves the award of the Contract to SPIE Scotshield Limited up to a maximum of Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds (£800,000.00) exclusive of VAT. This recommendation follows the completion of a procurement procedure, where the tender recommended for award has been evaluated as providing the most economically advantageous Tender in terms of cost and quality for the Council. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (14) Ensure the highest standards of public protection AGENDA ITEM 16 Page 157 of 181
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1. Background 1.1 The incumbent contractor for the services to be provided under this contract is SPIE Scotshield Limited. This contract is due to expire on 30th November 2022. 1.2 This procurement is an above GPA threshold Regulated Procurement and has been discharged using a single stage procurement process. 1.3 This procurement was carried out as a single lot. 1.4 This is the renewal of an existing contract which was awarded on 11 March 2022 following the conclusion of a negotiated tender procedure. 2. Report 2.1 A user intelligence group (the ‘UIG’) of technical and procurement representatives was formed to review technical specifications, discuss trading processes, market conditions and trends, ways to maximise community benefits and sustainability and to agree the procurement strategy that would deliver maximum benefit for the Council via the Contract. 2.2 The initial estimated value of the Contract dictated that the procurement procedure be undertaken in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The contract opportunity was published on the Public Contracts Scotland and the UK Find a Tender (FTS) website with a “Open” procurement procedure adopted. 2.3 Based on the evaluation criteria and scoring methodology set out in the invitation to tender package within the procurement procedure, an evaluation of tender responses was completed by members identified by the UIG. Award stage responses were evaluated first, then the most economically advantageous tender was taken forward to selection stage to ensure the tender satisfied the minimum selection stage criteria applied. 2.4 The Contract award recommendation is made on the basis of the bidder who submitted the most economically advantageous tender. 2.5 The tender submitted by SPIE Scotshield Limited has been evaluated as representing the most economically advantageous tender for this Contract. 2.6 Appendix 1 confirms the scoring achieved by each bidder, further details of the procurement procedure is provided in Appendix 2 and the SME status and location of all bidders is located within Appendix 3. 2.7 The value of the Contract is a maximum of Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds (£800,000.00) exclusive of VAT. 2.8 The costs associated with contract delivery will be contained within the HRA Revenue budget set for each financial year of the Contract period. Page 158 of 181
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Price Savings / Increases 2.9 Contract pricing is fixed until March 2023. Thereafter, prices will be adjusted annually by the application of the RICS Mechanical and Engineering Cost Index. Price Stability 2.10 Schedule of Rates with prices for adjustment by overall percentage and annual BCIS fluctuation percentage. Community Benefits 2.11.1 The Council is committed to maximising the delivery of community benefits. The procurement included a community benefit requirement, this approach is designed to deliver local community benefits where possible. 2.11.2 Within their tender SPIE Scotshield Limited committed to deliver the following community benefits within the Contract: Community Benefit Type Quantity Committed Modern Apprenticeships 2 Work Experience Placement (16+ Year Olds) 1 Educational Visits 2 Supply Chain Event 2 Business Advice / Support 1 Financial Support for the Community 1 Non-Financial Support for the Community 2 2.11.3 The community benefits delivered as part of the Contract includes the creation of jobs or apprenticeships. Fair Work First 2.12 Within their tender submission, SPIE Scotshield Limited advised that they would commit to the following areas of the Scottish Governments “Fair Work First” initiative: • Commitment to pay at least Living Wage • No zero hours contracts • Flexible working and supportive of a wider work life balance • Promote diversity, equality and fair employment practices • Support for learning and development, are supportive of further education opportunities for employees • Gender balance and wider representative workforce Page 159 of 181
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Contract Strategy 2.13 Officers from Housing Property and Projects will be responsible for managing the Contract which will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3. Measures of success It is anticipated that the award of the Contract will deliver the following successful outcomes: 3.1 the appointment of a Service Provider who has the experience and capability to deliver an innovative, high quality and responsive service; 3.2 the procurement procedure is compliant with procurement legislation and internal procedures; 3.3 that Best Value is both demonstrable and achieved; and 3.4 that the contract secures a range of community benefits. 4. Supporting documentation Appendix 1 Summary of Tender Evaluation Process Appendix 2 Summary of Procurement Process Appendix 3 SME status and location of all Bidders Brian Lafferty Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) Page 160 of 181
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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? This Contract will work towards improving outcomes for people and communities by assisting the Council to reduce inequalities of outcomes caused by socio-economic disadvantage. The Council will continue to carry out equality impact assessments to determine if policies, practices, decisions, functions and strategies identify any negative impact on any particular group covered by the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The costs associated with contract delivery will be contained within the HRA Capital budget. 5.3 HR Policy Impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 161 of 181
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If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? N/A 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? N/A 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? N/A Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ Page 162 of 181
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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? The Contract conditions encourage a sustainable and safe working environment; promote health and wellbeing, safe removal and disposal of materials The proposed contractor is BS EN ISO 14001 (or equivalent) and BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent) accredited and has provided appropriate evidence of accreditation. 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? N/A 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? 5.9.1 Risk will be minimised and managed by a designated Contract Manager in accordance with the specification and in line with the Council’s agreed approach to Contract and Supplier Management. 5.9.2 Health and Safety Risk The proposed contractor is UKAS (BS EN ISO 45001) Accredited and has provided appropriate evidence of their accreditation. 5.9.3 Contract Award ( COVID-19 Considerations) The Contract will be awarded in accordance with the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders and Legal and Procurement advice will be sought and adhered to as required in relation to commencing the Contract whilst COVID-19 restrictions remain in place and/ or are being reviewed. Risk of awarding the Contract whilst any COVID- 19 restrictions remain in place will be identified and mitigated where possible. Page 163 of 181
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5.9.4 Furthermore, the Council may develop a Contract Mobilisation Plan with the successful Bidder which shall take cognisance of any COVID-19 precautions in place, any changes to restrictions will be closely monitored. Page 164 of 181
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Appendix 1 – Summary of Tender Evaluation Process In the Award Stage, Bidders price scores were added to their quality scores to obtain their final tender scores. Only the first ranking bidder from Award Stage underwent Selection Stage evaluation. Details are contained in the tables below. Table 1: Stage 1 – Award Stage Evaluation Outcome Final Rank Bidder Name Total Tender Score (%) Recommended for Contract Award (Y / N) 1 SPIE Scotshield Limited 93.93 Y 2 DM Integrated Limited 93.88 N 3 Secureshield Limited 66.54 N 4 DFP Services Limited 58.23 N 5 Churches Fire Safety Limited -55.60 N Table 2: Stage 2 – Selection Stage Evaluation Outcome Bidder Name Part 3 A, B, C & D Part 4 A & B Part 4 C Part 4 D Selection Requirements Met? (Yes/No) Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Score (min = 50) Pass/Fail SPIE Scotshield Limited Pass Pass 88.93 Pass Yes Page 165 of 181
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Appendix 2 – Summary of Procurement Process Contract Title Response Procurement Procedure Utilised: Open Procedure Governing Legislation / Regulations: The Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Date Contract Strategy Approved: 1 March 2022 Date Contract Notice Published: 1 March 2022 SME % of Expressions of Interest: 70.83% NLC Based % of Expressions of Interest: 20.83% Tender Return Deadline: 1 April 2022 Number of Tenders Received: 5 Tenders Received from SME’s: 4 Tenders Received from NLC Based Bidders: 2 Number of Non−compliant Tenders: 0 Number of Compliant Tenders: 5 Number of Recommended Bidders: 1 Basis of Contract Award: Quality: 40% Price: 60% Evaluation Team: Staff from Housing Property and Projects and external consultant Anticipated Contract Start Date: 1 December 2022 Total Contract Period: 1 December 2022 to 21 January 2024 plus up to a maximum of 24 months optional extension (in 3-month periods) Maximum Total Contract Value: £800,000.00 Page 166 of 181
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Appendix 3 – SME Status and location of all Bidders Name of Bidder Size of Tendering Organisation (Micro, Small, Medium or Large) Location (Local Authority / Council Area) SPIE Scotshield Limited Medium South Lanarkshire DM Integrated Limited Small North Lanarkshire Secureshield Limited Medium North Lanarkshire DFP Services Limited Medium Durham Churches Fire Safety Limited Large Hampshire Page 167 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref Ventilation NTP Date 29/08/22 Ventilation Works - Negotiated Tender Procedure From Brian Lafferty, Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) E-mail starbucks@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Siobhan Starbuck -Contract Support Manager via MS Teams Recommendations It is recommended that Committee acknowledges the actions of the Deputy Chief Executive to award a Negotiated Tender to Mears LLP. 1. Background 1.1 Due to the COVID requirements relating to improving and providing well ventilated areas in schools and in accordance with Scottish Government Guidance, as part of a wider programme of works being implemented across the Education Estate, there is a requirement to improve the ventilation across all schools. This is being delivered in a number of ways, in particular the repair, installation and upgrading of mechanical ventilation and skylights, and in the repair, renewal and replacement of defective and inoperable windows to ensure that there is appropriate ventilation in all educational settings to reduce the likelihood of COVID transmission. 1.2 The Scottish Government provided addition funding to assist with these essential works. Executive Summary Committee is asked to acknowledge the actions of the Deputy Chief Executive to award a Negotiated Tender to Mears LLP for Ventilation Works to provide and improve ventilation in schools to reduce the likelihood of Covid transmission. The Contract commenced in November 2021 for approximately 45 weeks. The Value of the Contract is approximately one Million Pounds (£1,000.000.00) exclusive of VAT. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (14) Ensure the highest standards of public protection AGENDA ITEM 17 Page 169 of 181
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1.3 This is a stand-alone exercise and therefore there is no incumbent contractor for the works. 2. Report 2.1 Due to the ongoing Health and Safety concerns surrounding Covid-19 the contract award recommendation was made based on the urgency of the requirement. A negotiated Tender procedure was carried out with the current partnership contractor (Mears LLP) to mobilise with immediate effect. 2.2 The value of the Contract is approximately £1,000.000.00 Price Savings / Increases 2.3 The pricing is fixed for the duration of the contract. Contract Strategy 2.4 Officers from Housing Property and Projects will be responsible for managing the Contract which will be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s agreed approach to contract and supplier management. 3. Measures of success It is anticipated that the award of the Contract will deliver the following successful outcomes: 3.1 the works will improve the safety and wellbeing within schools 3.2 the appointment of a Service Provider who has the experience and capability to deliver an innovative, high quality and responsive service; 3.3 the procurement procedure is compliant with procurement legislation and internal procedures; 3.4 that Best Value is both demonstrable and achieved; and 4. Supporting documentation N/A Brian Lafferty Head of Business (Housing Property and Projects) Page 170 of 181
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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? This Contract will work towards improving outcomes for people and communities by assisting the Council to reduce inequalities of outcomes caused by socio- economic disadvantage. The Council will continue to carry out equality impact assessments to determine if policies, practices, decisions, functions and strategies identify any negative impact on any particular group covered by the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The cost associated with contract delivery will be contained within Capital budget with the assistance of additional funding from the Scottish Government. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? N/A 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ Page 171 of 181
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If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? As this is a Negotiated Tender Procedure engagement with colleagues in with Legal and Democratic Solutions was sought to provide advice around the risks of proceeding to award without undertaking a competitive procurement procedure. Risks include the possibility of a challenge to the award decision, however, due to the health and safety aspect of this contract the decision was taken to proceed with the contract award. 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? N/A Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? N/A 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? N/A 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ Page 172 of 181
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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 associated with legal proceedings exist if the award decision is formally challenged, however, risk surrounding health and safety concerns existed if the contract was not awarded. The service risk register has a specific risk in relation to managing building compliance. This risk has adequate controls in place and is monitored and updated on a monthly basis. Page 173 of 181
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref CG/JMcK Date 29/08/22 Contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold From Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions Email mckinstryj@northlan.gov.uk Telephone James McKinstry 07939 281102 1. Background 1.1 The Councils General Contract Standing Orders (the ‘GCSOs’) outline financial approval thresholds for contracts for goods, works and services. Contract awards above £500,000 for Supplies and Services and above £2,000,000 for Works require approval by the Committee. These contract awards are considered by the Committee on a case-by-case basis. 1.2 Where the value of a contract award is between £50,000 and £500,000 for Supplies and Services and between £500,000 and £2,000,000 for Works, GCSOs require that the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions award these contracts on behalf of the appropriate Chief Officer. 1.3 The Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions is required to notify Committee on a regular basis of any such contracts awarded on behalf of Procuring Service Areas. Executive Summary This report notifies the Committee of the contracts awarded between 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022. It sets out those contracts awarded with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Recommendations The Enterprise Growth and Fair Work Committee are: • advised of the Contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold between 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022 as per the process within the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (18) Ensure our digital transformation is responsive to all people's needs and enable access to the services they need AGENDA ITEM 18 Page 175 of 181
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2. Report 2.1 The GCSOs require that contracts in excess of £500,000 for supplies and services and £2,000,000 for works are approved, on a case-by-case basis, by the Committee before award. 2.2 The GCSOs require that contracts with a value above £50,000 but less than £500,000 for Supplies and Services and above £500,000 but less than £2,000,000 for Works are awarded by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions on behalf of the appropriate Chief Officer. 2.3 The contracts awarded by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions that are under the £500,000 Committee financial approval threshold for Supplies and Services and £2,000,000 for Works in the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022 are detailed in Appendix 1. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Contracts support the delivery of Council and service priorities. 3.2 Appointment of contractors who have suitable experience and capability to deliver the required supplies, services or works. 3.3 Contracts awarded by the Council are compliant with GCSOs and procurement legislation. 3.4 The Council’s Contract Register is kept updated by services and management information is comprehensive and accurate. 3.5 Best Value is both demonstrable and achieved. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 - Summary of contracts awarded. James McKinstry Head of Asset & Procurement Solutions Page 176 of 181
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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 have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where Financial impacts have been identified, they have been established and addressed in each specific Contract Strategy and incorporated into the project. The Council’s Procurement Strategy proposes methods of maximising the delivery of procurement benefits that could bring improved financial return to the Council and the areas wider economy. Certain benefits have a monetary value attached and these will be monitored on a project-by-project basis. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where HR impacts have been identified, they have been established and addressed in each specific Contract Strategy and incorporated into the project. Contracts awarded by the Council are compliant with GCSOs and procurement legislation. 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 have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where Legal impacts have been identified, they have been established and addressed in each specific Contract Strategy and incorporated into the project. Page 177 of 181
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Contracts awarded by the Council are compliant with GCSOs and procurement legislation. 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? All contracts listed have been assessed by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG) Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) 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? Sustainable procurement is one of the key objectives of the Council’s Procurement Strategy and will have a positive impact, including, embedding sustainable procurement as business as usual and incorporating community benefits into the Councils contracts. Supporting local businesses and SMEs through closer working with colleagues in the Council’s Enterprise department and by making our processes more streamlined and accessible. Where Environmental/Carbon impacts have been identified, they have been established and addressed in each specific Contract Strategy and incorporated into the project. 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? Page 178 of 181
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Where Risk impacts have been identified, they have been established and addressed in each specific Contract Strategy and incorporated into the project. Contract award procedures may be susceptible to legal challenge if they are not discharged in accordance with GCSO and procurement legislation. Page 179 of 181
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APPENDIX 1 – SUMMARY OF BELOW THRESHOLD CONTRACT AWARDS Contract Description Contract Award Date Contract Start Date Contract End Date Contract Extension Contract Value (inc extension) (£s) Pre- Procurement Estimate (£’s) Successful Tenderer Supplies Services Works No of Tenders Received Route* Supply of Online Learning Materials 28/03/2022 31/10/2022 31/10/2022 N/A £70,000.00 £70,000.00 Learning Pool Services 1 N* Office Equipment MDF Managed Print Service 14/04/2022 04/05/2022 03/05/2023 N/A £400,000.00 £400,000.00 Canon UK Limited Services 1 EXT** Netcall Telephony System, Annual Support & Maintenance 2022-24 16/06/2022 19/06/2022 18/06/2023 18/06/2024 £157,604.00 £157,604.00 Netcall Technology Limited Services 1 N* *Contract awards via the use of the Negotiated Tendering Procedure to incumbent providers to ensure continuity of service provision to allow a review and redesign of future requirements for these services. **Contract extension to incumbent provider delivering best value. Provision for extension made in original contract award reported to previous Committee. Key – Procurement Route CO - Contract Open Procedure CR - Contract Restricted Procedure FO - Framework Open Procedure FR - Framework Restricted Procedure FMCC - Mini Comp Council Framework FMC3 - Mini Comp 3rd Party Framework DAFC - Direct Award Council Framework Page 180 of 181
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DAF3 - Direct Award 3rd Party Framework DAH&SC - Direct Award Health & Social Care Related Services N - Negotiated Contract EXT - Extension to Contract/Framework Page 181 of 181