Agenda item

The board considered a report of the Executive Director, Economic Delivery Skills and Communities that set out the approach to the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund including the development of the five strands of the Economy, Trade and Tourism Pillar, the approaches to the funding asks and the next steps regarding the decision-making process.

The Executive Director, Economic Delivery Skills and Communities, Dr Julie Nugent informed the board that the report follows on from the decision taken by the WMCA Board on 16 December 2022 for the Economic Growth Board to shape the detail and oversee the delivery of the Economy, Trade and Tourism pillar and its programmes over the duration of the Legacy Fund.

It was noted that  programme costs exceed £38.9m allocated for the economy, trade and tourism pillar by £9.65m and a number of options are proposed to reduce the programme costs to within the funding envelope of £38.9m or alternatively, there is the option to allow for the deliberate over-programming at this stage before reviewing business cases as  they are developed  (outlined in 2.12 of the report) .

Councillor Ward considered it was not clear how the numbers have been derived for each of the pillars and Met Leaders and the Mayor should be allowed to vire funds between the pillars. He added that the underspend on the Commonwealth Games should be linked to the legacy ambitions for the region and considered that whilst delivery programme 2, ‘Delivering on Plan for Growth and support for high-growth regional business’ and delivery programme 5, ‘Wider jobs and skills legacy -helping people in the West Midlands benefit from the legacy and attendant economic growth’ were good programmes, they should be funded from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and skills and education monies as appropriate.

Councillor Ward reported that the removal of delivery programmes 2 and 5 would enable funding to be allocated to support the legacy of Sandwell’s Aquatic Centre which requires £2m to operate the facility. Additionally, he stated funding was needed to support the European Athletics Championships in 2026 which not never been hosted in the UK before which would provide the opportunity for the region to stage the best ever event.

The Executive Director, Economic Delivery Skills and Communities advised that the pillars had been determined by the WMCA Board and programmes 2 and 5 could not be funded elsewhere.

Councillor Courts reported he thought the pillars had been agreed and  supported the inclusion of programmes 2 and 5 and for programme 5, he would like local authorities to be able to apply for funding to ‘passported’ to them.

Councillor Hughes reported that Sandwell’s Aquatic Centre was a major feature of the Commonwealth Games and thanked Councillor Ward for his support.

The Chair re-affirmed that the pillars were decided by the WMCA Board and the Aquatic Centre was not included in any indicative programme. He reminded the board that they were not required to take any decisions today on funding and that the debate on overprogramming was ongoing. The matter would be discussed further at the Mayor and Met Leaders meeting on 3 March.

Councillor Ward re-iterated that money should be spent in line with the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Courts reported of the need to receive further advice on what programmes relate to legacy.

The Executive Director, Economic Delivery and Skills reported that the WMCA has not received clarity from DCMS on the five strands of the pillar at this stage, as detailed programmes are required. She added that it is up to the region to determine its programmes and reported on the need to look at the four thematic pillars as a whole rather than focusing on the economy, trade and tourism pillar.

It be recommended to the WMCA Board:

1.     The role of the Economic Growth Board in advising on the content of the £38.9m Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund,’ Economy, Trade & Tourism pillar’ and its ongoing role in monitoring the impact of activity be noted;

2.    The work undertaken with Directors of Economic Development and the West Midlands Growth Company to develop details of the indicative delivery programmes set out in the WMCA Board paper on 16 December 2022 be noted;

3.    The approach to addressing the current overprogramming across the pillar as set out in paragraph 2.12 of the report be discussed further at the Mayor and Met Leaders meeting on 3 Marchand

4.    The next steps ahead of the WMCA Board in making a final decision on the pillar in March 2023 on the allocation of funds in the pillar be noted.

[Councillor Ward declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item as Birmingham City Council was requesting funding for hosting the European Athletics Championships]