Agenda and minutes

The Chair will welcome attendees to the meeting and make opening remarks.

The chair welcomed board members to the meeting before outlining the agenda items for discussion.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from the following board members: - 

Jenna Langford – SMBC 

Deska Howe – West Bromwich African Caribbean Centre 

Kelly Harris – SMBC  

Tanya Derham – SIPS  ? 

To confirm the minutes of the West Bromwich Town Deal Board meeting held on 22 November 2022 as a correct record.

Board members agreed minutes of the Local Board meeting held on 22 Nov 2022 were a correct record. 

To receive any declarations of interest from members relating to any item on the agenda.

The Chair asked board members to raise any declarations of interests. None were forthcoming. The chair asked board members to raise any declarations during discussions should they need to. 

To provide an update on a young person representation on the Board

At the previous board meeting, board members discussed the vacancies for representatives for a young person and for WMCA/LEP. A meeting took place with PMO and SHAPE colleagues where suggestions were made to update young people during the SHAPE forums. SHAPE is holding a conference in June where PMO and other reps have been invited to engage with young people and build relationships ahead of recruiting a rep in the coming months. The PMO will liaise with Shape Forum to promote the Towns Fund Projects amongst existing young people’s forums. Engagement with young people on specific projects of interest such as Brittania Park (Rowley Regis) will encourage participation in other Towns Fund and future projects.

To discuss updates to the Social Value and Local Spend guidance

(highlighted in green)

Following discussions from all Towns Board meetings in November 22, the draft guidance has been updated to provide further clarification on prioritising local spend and social value as part of procurement.

Updates include:

•        Projects to provide details on supplier location, approach, and rationale for choosing that supplier if not Sandwell/Black Country/Birmingham based

•        Monitoring of Social Value targets agreed with contractors

•        Compliance with SMBC Contract procurement guidelines.

The Programme Management Office reassured board members the projects are required to implement social value within any procurement process required. Where existing frameworks are used, project will be required to engage with contractors to capture this information.

Board members agreed to adopt the guidance for Towns Fund programme and review the information presented on a quarterly basis

A board member thanked Rina Rahim for her work on developing the guidance.

To receive an update on project progress and monitoring information for the period of October-December 2022

Project updates from:

Town Hall Quarter – Mark Evans

Retail Diversification Project – Alex Oxley

Board members received Item 7a - West Bromwich Town Deal Board Reporting October - December 2022 prior to the board meeting. This appendix was shared on screen to provide an update on project progress.

Board members were informed there will be a slippage into the next financial year but will be within the 40% threshold DLUHC have set. DLUHC can ask for additional information and/or do an assurance visit if slippages are more than 40%.

DLUHC have informed the funding for 2023/24 will be released at a staggered stage. They’re currently reviewing December returns and will release in the following stages as per RAG ratings; low risk will be released in April, amber in June and high risk in October.

A question was asking where there’s any risk associated with the slippage or is it just for information for DLUHC. It was confirmed it is just for information. However, currently it is advised that if the slippage was more than 40% then further information and reasoning would be required, including how it is going to be mitigated.

Digital Den

A board member enquired whether there’s a profile of where learners are based geographically for the Digital Den project. The project lead confirmed the learners are predominantly local with a few from wider Sandwell and very few from outside of Sandwell. Other queries were raised regarding whether demographics of learners are captured, age profile, ethnic background and how students are commuting to the centre. The ethnic breakdown is very diverse, and the ages vary from young parents up to retirement age. This information can be captured and presented at future Board meetings.

Action: Digital Den to provide demographics of learners

A suggestion was made to do a press release for Digital Den. Case studies are being created currently and will be released in due course.

Sandwell Civil & Mechanical Engineering Centre

Works progressing as per FBC.  Board members were informed there have been a few planning applications made around the area of Sandwell MEC which shows further works around initial investment into the area.

Suggestions were made to have updates and progress displayed in West Bromwich for residents to see progress i.e. at the Town Hall or Library.

Action: PMO to explore further regarding displayed exhibitions for project update/progress in West Bromwich and how to promote that further.

Urban Greening

Following the last board meeting, a site visit to West Bromwich Town Centre took place to see progress of the Urban Greening project where board members were in attendance.

A question was raised regarding volunteers, how they are being trained and what the Council is doing to support their training. The volunteers will be trained via the Cultural programme and will be trained in subjects such as Photography where they will gain an NVQ.

Project leads for Town Hall Quarter and Retail Diversification Programme attended the meeting to provide updates on progress:

Town Hall Quarter

Project lead shared a presentation onscreen on project progress with board members including photos.

There have been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To receive update on the forward plans:

·       Consultation Plan

·       Press Release/Publicity

·       Site Visits

The PMO presented the updated forward plans detailing upcoming consultations, press releases and site visits. These will be updated periodically and circulated to board members to promote where applicable.

It was proposed for the next board meeting potentially to be held at Digital Den subject to suitability.

Action: PMO to circulate forward plans to members.

To receive any other business raised by members for discussion.

Members were reminded of the High St Taskforce workshop being held on Wed 1st March for which details have already been circulated.

The Chair will make closing remarks and close the meeting.

The Chair thanked board members for their attendance and contributions to the meeting