DORSET LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING

26 NOVEMBER 2020

10.00 AM TO 12.30 PM VIA ZOOM MEETING

AGENDA

Time Item Subject/Title Presenter Recommendation

10.00 1. Apologies and declarations of interest Jim Stewart 10.02 2. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

and Forward Plan Jim Stewart

3. Guest Presentations

10.05 3.1 Presentation from Homes England Catherine Turner It is recommended that the Homes England and the Dorset LEP Board continue strategic engagement regarding housing capacity and future plans across Dorset.

10.35 3.2 Investment Prospectus Update Sandra Rothwell 1) Note progress to date across the emerging Prospectus and investment portfolio.

2) Maintain dialogue across all ‘big idea’ sponsors at this stage in the process.

3) Support further refinement and development of the emerging portfolio across Dorset LEP groups and wider stakeholders into 2021.

11.05 3.3 Snapshot of Covid Business Impact Lorna Carver/Ian Girling

None – for information only

11.15 3.4 Director’s Update (including Board composition)

Lorna Carver None – for information only

4. Governance

11.30 4.1 Communications Update Amy Blackham We are keen to feature as diverse a range of imagery in the Investment Prospectus. We have a clear brief of

requirements which can be shared should your organisation be able to support. Please contact the comms team at dorsetlep@bournemouth.ac.uk.

11.40 4.2 Performance and Investment Committee Martina Hanulova 12.00 4.3 Nomination and Remuneration Committee Jim Andrews 12.05 4.4 Finance, Audit and Corporate Risk

Committee update Corrina Osborne None – for information only

12.07 4.5 Finance Update to the Board Lorna Carver None – for information only

5. Strategy

12.15 5.1 Business Growth and Inward Investment Committee

Finn Morgan • To note the success of the Bid Writing Support Service

• To help communicate the key messages around EU readiness and the services being offered through the Dorset Gateway

12.20 5.2 Skills Advisory Panel and Board Rebecca Davies None - for Information 12.22 5.3 Enterprise Zone Committee Corrina Osborne None – for information only 12.24 5.4 Strategic Infrastructure Committee Corrina Osborne • To note the strategic importance of ongoing energy

infrastructure challenges in Dorset. • To approve the recommendation that Dorset LEP

continue to work with partners to drive this agenda forward.

6. Advisory Groups

12.26 6.1 Advisory Group Updates: Dorset Tourism Association

Papers to note

7. Any Other Business

Note: Date of Next Meeting - 26 January 2021

DRAFT MINUTES DORSET LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP BOARD 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 AT 1.30 PM TO 3.30 PM VIDEO CONFERENCE MINUTES Board Attendees: Arabella Lewis-Smith (AL) Diane Grannell (DG) Emma Hunt (EH) Ian Girling (IG) Jim Andrews (JA) Jim Stewart (JS) (Chair) John Sutcliffe (JSu) Luke Rake (LR) Cllr Mark Howell (MH) Cllr Tony Ferrari (TF) Nick Brook (NB) Nick Gaines (NG) Paul Read (PR) Phil Richardson (PRi) Richard Smith (RS) Sara Uzzell (SU) Sophia Story (SS) Cllr Spencer Flower (SF) Cllr Vikki Slade (VS) Also Present: Lee House (LH) (Dorset Council) Amy Blackham (AM) (Dorset LEP) Bill Cotton (BC) (BCP Council) Corrina Osborne (CO) (Dorset LEP) David Walsh (DW) (Dorset Council) Elizabeth Spence (ES) (BEIS) Finn Morgan (FM) (Dorset LEP) Graham Farrant (GF) (BCP Council) John Sellgren (JSe) (Dorset Council) Kathryn Hill (KH) (Dorset LEP) Lorna Carver (LC) (Dorset LEP) Martina Hanulova (MHN) (Dorset LEP) Rebecca Davies (RB) Apologies: Andrew Wickham (AW) Nicola Newman (NN)

DRAFT MINUTES

Item Notes and Decisions Action

1. Apologies were received for: Andrew Wickham and Nicola Newman Declarations of Interest: IG, SF, DG, EH, JS, RS, PRi, LR, VS, MH all declared an interest in agenda item 4.

2. The Minutes were agreed as an accurate reflection of the last meeting, with an amendment put forward by SF to be made to item number 5.5. There were no matters arising.

3 Chair’s Update JS gave an update to the Board on the pertinent work he and the Dorset LEP team have been doing, including meetings with our local MPs, Members of Parliament and regional engagement work. He explained potential project risk around project delivery. as part of the Growth Deal Fund. He assured the Board that the LEP Team are working closely with partners to minimise all risks and emphasised it is imperative that all delivery is completed by 31 March 2021. He informed the Board that a round of Board recruitment and Committee recruitment will commence in the autumn. JS updated the Board of the work on the Investment Prospectus and that across September and October, final programme areas will be ‘tested’ on the Investment Prospectus proforma with a wider group of stakeholders to obtain feedback and identify potential areas of investment. Consultation will also take place with national investors and developers to assess views of, and appetite, in investing in Dorset.

4. Delivery

4.1 Delivery Update (Confidential - Commercially Sensitive) MHN gave an update to the Board on the Programme delivery. She informed that Dorset LEP will be changing to monthly financial forecasts to allow for better financial risk mitigation before the end of the Local Growth Fund in March 2021.

5. Governance

5.1 Communications Update The Board noted the paper and the good news within this including interest from the media which remains strong with 12 recent announcements generating 37 pieces of media coverage across the region. The Board noted the request of the Communications Team who are keen to feature more case studies of Dorset’s businesses who are able to adjust, adapt and recover from the pandemic and continue to support or recruit new apprentices.

DRAFT MINUTES Item Notes and Decisions Action

5. Governance Cont’d

5.2 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3

Nominations and Remuneration Committee Chair Remuneration and Recruitment The paper on the Chair remuneration and recruitment was discussed and all recommendations in the paper (below) were approved: 1. The Nomination & Remuneration Committee recommend the Dorset LEP

Board approve remunerating the role of the Dorset LEP Chair. It is recommended the Chair position is paid at £20,000 per annum.

2. The Nomination & Remuneration Committee recommends the Board approves the proposed process and principles regarding Chair recruitment as outlined in this paper.

Board Review The Board agreed the recommendation in the paper as: The Nomination & Remuneration Committee recommend the Board approves the proposal to recruit an external company to undertake a Board Review in October 2020. Update on Committee Recruitment Campaign As per its Terms of Reference, the Nomination & Remuneration Committee are responsible for considering succession planning for Dorset LEP Board and its Committees and for the recruitment process to fill vacancies when they arrive. JA highlighted that there are vacancies for members of the business community to fill on the following Committees: • Performance & Investment Committee • Overview & Scrutiny Committee • Business Growth and Inward Investment Committee • Finance, Audit & Corporate Risk Committee. JA stated a pipeline of members will be created for future vacancies for the Dorset LEP Board. JA informed the Board that the recruitment process will be open, and all vacancies advertised on the Dorset LEP webpage, promoted through our social media channels and elsewhere. The Board are also encouraged to promote the opportunities via their networks.

Approved Approved Approved

5.3 2020/21 Financial Update to the Board (Confidential - Commercially Sensitive) The Board noted the Finance paper.

5.4 Overview and Scrutiny Committee The Board noted the paper.

DRAFT MINUTES Item Notes and Decisions Action

6. Strategy

6.1 Business Growth and Inward Investment Committee The Board noted the paper and the recommendations within it:

• To note the doubling of business support funding secured by Dorset LEP.

• That board members promote the various new programmes of support that have been developed.

• To note the work and efforts of the partners that have helped to develop enquiries relating to the Dorset’s Sustainable Aquaculture HPO.

6.2 Skills Advisory Panel and Board The Board noted the paper.

7. Papers for Information

7.1 Advisory Group Updates The Board noted the paper.

Note: Date of Next Meeting - 26 November at 10.00 am

FORWARD PLAN

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership Board Meetings

2020

Date and Time Location Items for Agenda

28 January 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Tank Museum, Bovington

• Delivery Update • Governance Update • Committee Updates • Communications Update • Launch LIS and review first draft of

implementation plan 26 March 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

Zoom Meeting • Delivery Update • Governance Update • Committee Updates • Communications Update • Delivery Plan Update

26 May 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Zoom Meeting • Delivery Update • Governance Update • Committee Updates • Communications Update • Presentation from Blue Abyss

23 July 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

Zoom Meeting • Delivery Update • Governance Update • Committee Updates • Communications Update • Investment Prospectus

22 September 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Zoom Meeting • Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Update

• Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward

Investment Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board • Advisory Group Updates

26 November 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

Tank Museum, Bovington

• Finance, Audit and Corporate Risk Committee

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward

Investment Committee • Skills Advisory Panel and Board • Advisory Group Updates • Investment Prospectus

FORWARD PLAN

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership Board Meetings

2021

Date and Time Location Items for Agenda

26 January 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Nominations and Remuneration Committee Update

• Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board Update • Advisory Group Updates • Investment Prospectus

25 March 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

• Finance, Audit and Corporate Risk Committee Update

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Update • Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board Update • Advisory Group Updates

25 May 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board Update • Advisory Group Updates

22 July 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

• Finance, Audit and Corporate Risk Committee Update

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Nominations and Remuneration Committee Update

• Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board Update • Advisory Group Updates

28 September 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm

• Performance and Investment Committee Update

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Update • Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee Update • Skills Advisory Panel and Board • Advisory Group Updates

Date and Time Location Items for Agenda

25 November 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

• Finance, Audit and Corporate Risk Committee • Performance and Investment Committee

Update • Communications Update • Business Growth and Inward Investment

Committee • Skills Advisory Panel and Board • Advisory Group Updates

1

OFFICIAL

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 3.1

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Homes England

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Homes England and the Dorset LEP Board continue strategic engagement regarding housing capacity and future plans across Dorset.

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☒ Discussion ☐ Information ☐

1. PURPOSE

This presentation by Homes England is in order to inform the Board as to how they can work in partnership with Homes England to deliver more homes across the whole of Dorset.

2. RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Homes England and the Dorset LEP Board continue strategic engagement regarding housing capacity and future plans across Dorset.

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 3.2

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Dorset Investment Prospectus

Recommendation(s)

1) Note progress to date across the emerging Prospectus and investment portfolio.

2) Maintain dialogue across all ‘big idea’ sponsors at this stage in the process.

3) Support further refinement and development of the emerging portfolio across Dorset LEP groups and wider stakeholders into 2021.

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☒ Discussion ☒ Information ☐

1. PURPOSE This report provides an update on the development of the Dorset Investment Prospectus and seeks Board direction for next steps.

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND Dorset LEP and partners are developing a 10 year Investment Prospectus with a focus on the Dorset Local Industrial Strategy priorities plus economic recovery/rebuilding linked to COVID-19. The Investment Prospectus will underpin a number of detailed investment opportunities for the Dorset Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) and other associated economic growth plans across Dorset. Its purpose is to translate the ambitions and interventions set out across the LIS and related plans into a coherent programme for investment and delivery in the next 2 to 10 years. This medium to long term focus will be an important part of inspiring confidence and growth in our economy as we deal with the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and adapt to a new global market place. It will also enable Dorset LEP and partners to respond with pace and confidence when new opportunities emerge – such as the truncated Comprehensive Spending Review and economic ‘catalyst’ programmes (such as the pending Shared Prosperity Fund). Whilst this work does not require a rebrand of an ‘invest in Dorset’ proposition, it does seek to provide a Prospectus format and style which is both easily comprehendible and compelling. The vision is centred around “Dorset: Living Better” As well as headline priorities within the Prospectus, an initial investment portfolio is also being developed. This paper and accompanying presentation updates the Board on progress of the emerging portfolio and identifies next steps. 3. PROFORMA UPDATE A proforma process has been live for the last 2 months to ‘test the market’ and gather an initial set of ‘big ideas’ for potential inclusion as an initial portfolio of investment highlights

within the Prospectus. We have also been ‘soft testing’ the development and investment market for external views and interest in the potential to invest in the Dorset area.

Following the close of the proforma process in the first week of November, 51 proformas have now been received from both public and private ‘sponsors’. A detailed presentation will be given at the Board meeting, however, in summary the following should be noted:

• This has deliberately not been a formal ‘bidding’ process with detailed submissions; therefore the Board is not being asked to make any definitive decisions about individual investments at this stage.

• Of the 51 ‘big ideas’ 17 are business-led (submitted under commercial in confidence), 29 are led by public organisations with 5 led by ‘others’ including education and the voluntary sector. There is coverage across the whole Dorset LEP area.

• Most ideas align well with the overall vision, Dorset: Living Better, the prospectus themes (naturally creative et al), the Dorset Local Industrial Strategy and evidence base, with several also having the potential to shape a shorter/medium term response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

• As well as a headline review of ‘strategic fit’, the consultants have reviewed the content of proformas (albeit at a summary level) across likely funding/financing requirements and likely delivery timeframes. Investment ideas generally fall into one of the following areas:

o Suitable for public grant (capital/revenue) – e.g. connectivity and skills. o Suitable for private investment (both speculate concepts and business growth

aspirations). Some of these may also be suitable for alternative public finance such as loan.

o Land and property investments. • Very few opportunities would appear to be deliverable in the short term (i.e. circa

next 12 months), the majority have the potential to come to fruition in the next 5 years, with several longer term investments beyond 5 years (due to complexity and scale).

• During the assessment of ‘strategic fit’ a number of content themes have emerged. These include:

o Smart places and digital connectivity o Renewable energy o Skills and employment o Priority clusters: One Health; defence and security; and, creative and culture

(including hospitality). Some of the areas of sector strength (such as manufacturing and engineering) have also been prominent.

• There is further work on-going to understand the overall scale of investment and potential return, but the overall size of the initial portfolio is some £2.5bn (with the majority focused in the next 5 years).

4. PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

Given the overall quality of the proforma returns and the early concept stage of many, there are no immediate concerns against any of the ideas submitted that would discount them at this stage. Not all will ultimately be suitable for external investment – but there is certainly merit in continuing a dialogue with ‘big idea sponsors’ to maintain the richness of the emerging portfolio at this stage. Over the coming weeks the consultants will be working with Dorset LEP to integrate the ‘big ideas’ into the Investment Prospectus, providing a headline investment portfolio of

potential opportunities by January 2021 – aligned to the agreed vison and priorities. The portfolio will be refined as far as possible – setting out investment routes for both a public and private audience, potential of investment scale and return, as well as identifying packages of investment that will improve the overall proposition. The Dorset LEP can add real value to the developing investment pipeline. Many of the ideas will benefit from additional support and collaboration with LEP partners and stakeholders. For example, in developing critical mass and scale as well as increasing business-led ideas in shaping future programmes. There may also be the potential to collaborate with external partners (such as the Great South West area and others) and central government departments where these ideas support national agendas.

A significant amount of work will still be required by the Dorset LEP and partners into 2021 (and beyond) to further develop and refine the emerging portfolio into deliverable and transformative propositions. This will position the LEP in a much stronger commissioning and development role as well as the existing strengths in strategy development and programme level delivery.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

1) Note progress to date across the emerging Prospectus and investment portfolio. 2) Maintain dialogue across all ‘big idea’ sponsors at this stage in the process. 3) Support further refinement and development of the emerging portfolio across Dorset

LEP groups and wider stakeholders into 2021.

1

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November Item Number 3.3

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Snapshot of Covid Business Impact: Data Overview

Recommendation

None – for information only

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

This paper is to provide the Board with a snapshot of the impact of Covid on business, highlighting key data.

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

In terms of wellbeing, nationally, people are feeling the least satisfied with life since March, they are suffering the largest drop in how they feel about the things they do in their lives, anxiety levels are on the rise and happiness is nearly as low as March. Key issues are as follows: • France and Italy have both reached the grim milestone of the highest daily

coronavirus death tolls since April.

• The Paris region is close to reaching its ICU capacity, with 93.6% of intensive-care beds across France now occupied by Covid-19 patients.

• Deloitte highlight that real GDP in Europe was up 12.7% but down 4.3% on last year. Following a pattern of a sharper decline in the second quarter the faster the rebound in the third. However, Europe is experiencing a surge in the virus.

• ECB indicates that a significant tightening of credit standards took place in the third quarter and generally signals trouble ahead. It says that this change in bank lending standards was driven by banks’ risk perceptions related to the virus.

• British economic output per hour worked dropped by 1.8% during the three months to June, when the coronavirus lockdown was at its height, a smaller decline than the 3.0% drop initially estimated in August, official figures showed on 4th November. The Office for National Statistics said output per worker fell by 21.7%, similar to the initial estimate and close to the record 19.8% quarterly fall in GDP over the same period. “This reflects the impact of furlough schemes, which reduced hours worked but preserved workers’ employment statuses,” the ONS said.

• Britain’s manufacturers are calling for Business Rates to be waived or reduced in tandem with a boost to investment allowances to help fire up an industrial recovery. The call by Make UK was made on the back of the latest Manufacturing Monitor tracker which shows that while the sector continues to stabilise, companies increasingly see a long road ahead to any kind of normal trading conditions with redundancy plans still in the pipeline.

2

• Qualitative information from regional business representative organisations highlights that there is a degree of understanding for the reasoning for the lockdown, but dissatisfaction in the sharing of information and preparation opportunity for businesses.

• The public sector or activities funded by the public sector will be the most resilient throughout the pandemic due to lack of consumer demand elsewhere in the economy, depending on government decisions on spending.

• The UK employment and unemployment rates went down to 75.6% and up to 4.5% respectively in the three months to August. The SW equivalents were 76.7% and 4.1%. Local claimant counts in September were 6.5% for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and 4.5% for Dorset Council area. Generally, workforce jobs and vacancies are lower and redundancies higher, although the trends were better in Q3 than Q2. The ’pipeline’ of announced/potential job losses is the main concern.

Ian Girling will provide the Board with a Dorset business perspective in the November meeting and Board members are requested to complete the QES to enable Dorset to have a more granular level of data https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/page/quarterly-economic-survey-2 .

3. RECOMMENDATION None – this paper is for information only.

The papers for agenda Item 3.4 are not included as they are Commercially Sensitive

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 4.1

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

PR & Communications Activity – September and October 2020

Recommendation

We are keen to feature as diverse a range of imagery in the Investment Prospectus. We have a clear brief of requirements which can be shared should your organisation be able to support. Please contact the comms team at dorsetlep@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

To update the board on strategic PR and communications activity during September and October.

2. SUMMARY

Awareness of Dorset LEP and interest in our work continues to grow, as evidenced by a 34% increase in users to the website since the last reporting period. This follows an upward trajectory of the year to date with the number of new users to the Dorset LEP website up by 116% in the period March 2020 - Aug 2020 when compared to the previous six months. This is supported by a 71% increase in impressions and a 46% increase in mentions on Twitter, as well as a 76% increase in external media coverage - despite just a 20% increase in news outout – over the same period.

• Board member recruitment

As well as being a top tweet, a 113% increase in visits to the ‘work with us’ webpage, a 105% increase to the ‘board members’ webpage and a 54% increase in traffic to the ‘our team’ page since the last reporting period demonstrate our board recruitment activity has generated interest in the new positions as well as who works at Dorset LEP. Thank you to the members who have been active in supporting the recruitment activity.

• Business support COVID-19 remains a core focus of our business support activity, however there was a shift in our messing during this period towards EU exit and transition. The COVID-19 pages on our website remain listed in the most popular pages visited, while the transition pages yielded a 1611% increase in visitors compared to the previous reporting period. Promotion has included: Dorset Gateway, Peer Networks Programme, Crowdfund Dorset Business, as well as news and information on wider government support initiatives such as COVID-19 restrictions and business support measures.

• Dorset Investment Prospectus

The Investment Prospectus remains a communications priority both in terms of sourcing multimedia content, particularly from project partners, and the promotion of the online proforma to capture investment proposals.

• Website accessibility standards

A basic accessibility check was completed on our website in order to comply with standards set out by the Government. Our website accessibility statement is published online, and we continue our work to ensure all areas of the site meet requirements. Visit: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/policies-and-procedures

• Announcements

During this period we released 17 announcements generating 25 positive media articles across Dorset local media outlets. Major announcements include: the purchase of the Holes Bay

regeneration site, £1.3 million investment for infrastructure works at Wallisdown West, Peer Networks Programme and Crowdfund Dorset Business initiative, and the new Chair recruitment drive.

3. COVERAGE AND ANALYTICS

Dorset LEP website - key statistics

September/October July/August May/June March/April January/February Number of sessions

15,126 12,180 10,408 11,010 8,114

Number of page views

37,513 30,025 26,861 26,360 21,970

Users 10,847 8,663 7,445 8,051 5,366

New users

10,242 8,177 6,918 7,723 4,927

Most popular pages visited in September & October (page views): • Dorset LEP homepage (3,493) • COVID-19 page (1,175) • The team page (1,080) • COVID-19 Government Support page (935) • Grants, loans and support schemes (879)

Newsletters

Dorset LEP or Dorset Gateway

Date sent Successful deliveries

Unique opens

% clicks per unique open

Top three unique links clicked (% unique clicks)

Dorset Gateway

04 September

687 200 15% Dorset Growth Hub Recovery Grant (27%)

Peer Networks Expression of Interest form (24%)

Business Resilience Programme (13%)

Dorset LEP

05 October

704 239 25.1% The Dorset Investment Prospectus Proforma (29%)

Holes Bay project page (26%)

Dorset LEP celebrates a successful year news story (19%)

Press releases, statements and announcements

Help young people set their sights on great careers (27 Oct)

Share your big ideas (21 Oct)

Make a difference for Dorset (20 Oct)

Dorset Economic blog: Values & Aims (8 Oct)

Dorset Economic blog: Supply & Demand (2 Oct)

Purchase completed of major Holes Bay regeneration site (1 Oct)

Dorset LEP celebrates a successful year with AGM and launch of Annual Report (1 Oct)

Labour market insights for Dorset: August 2020 (1 Oct)

Could you be the next Chair of Dorset LEP? (28 Sep)

New Peer Networks Programme to launch in Dorset (28 Sep)

Business Case Due Diligence: An invitation to tender (24 Sep)

New COVID-19 restrictions for businesses (24 Sep)

Rishi Sunak announces further business support measures (24 Sep)

£1.3 million for key infrastructure works at Wallisdown West (17 Sep)

Small businesses get a helping hand thanks to Dorset LEP Crowdfund initiative (16 Sep)

Dorset LEP AGM: 22 September (15 Sep)

Dorset Economic blog: Regional Development (2 Sep)

Media /stakeholder coverage

Date Outlet Tone Title and link

03/09/2020 mags4dorset Positive New MOD test centre will boost jobs and Dorset economy

16/09/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Small businesses get a helping hand thanks to Dorset LEP Crowdfund initiative

17/09/2020 Insider Media Ltd Positive Funding initiative lift for Dorset SMEs

17/09/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive £1.3 million for key infrastructure works at Wallisdown West

17/09/2020 Dorset View Positive Dorset companies receive funds from business partnership

18/09/2020 Dorset View Positive £1.3 million scheme will improve route from Bournemouth to Poole

21/09/2020 Dorset Echo Positive Funding boost for small Dorset businesses hit by pandemic

22/09/2020 Bournemouth Echo Positive £1.3m to be spent on Wallisdown Road works

29/09/2020 Bournemouth Echo Positive Dorset LEP seeks new chair

29/09/2020 Dorset Echo Positive Dorset LEP seeks new chairman

29/09/2020 Lyme Regis & Bridport News Positive Dorset LEP seeks new chairman

29/09/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Could you be the next Chair of Dorset LEP?

29/09/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Peer Networks Programme to launch in Dorset

29/09/2020 Dorset View Positive New chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership sought

01/10/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Peer programme offers fresh perspective

01/10/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Purchase completed of major Holes Bay regeneration site

01/10/2020 Dorset View Positive Hundreds of new homes planned for Holes Bay in Poole

02/10/2020 Bournemouth Echo Positive Holes Bay power station site bought by BCP Council

02/10/2020 Insider Media Ltd Positive Acquisition paves way for development of regeneration site

02/10/2020 Dorset View Positive Dorset Chamber to give businesses a helping hand

12/10/2020 Salisbury Journal Positive Dorset Council update on Gillingham transport scheme

21/10/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Dorset businesses urged to get Brexit ready

21/10/2020 Planet Radio Positive Dorset traders urged to get 'Brexit Ready'

22/10/2020 Dorset Echo Positive Dorset businesses urged to prepare for Brexit

27/10/2020 Dorset Chamber Positive Work experience goes digital in Dorset

Social media highlights

Top tweet September/October, Dorset LEP and Dorset Gateway:

We were also delighted to work with Bournemouth & Poole College to share a video showcasing our investment in college facilities.

Impressions: 9,289 Total engagements: 126

Impressions: 2,243 Total engagements: 41

Dorset LEP Twitter

OCT 20 SEP 20 AUG 20 JUL 20 JUN 20 MAY 20 Tweets 25 44 20 53 25 45 Tweet

impressions 37.9K 52.6K 38.9K 43.6K 34.4K 70K

Profile visits 633 923 644 630 440 511 New followers 10 37 22 21 39 21

Mentions 67 63 64 64 113 63

Dorset Gateway Twitter

OCT 20 SEP 20 AUG 20 JUL 20 JUN 20 MAY 20 Tweets 16 18 6 38 33 49 Tweet

impressions 7,084 11.9K 4,669 18.1K 24.9K 35.9K

Profile visits 103 116 44 379 145 210 New followers 7 15 16 14 24 37

Mentions 20 43 23 37 43 44

Dorset LEP LinkedIn The Dorset LEP LinkedIn page received 467 visitors throughout July and August. During September and October, the page received a similar 448 visitors. Dorset Gateway LinkedIn From Dorset Gateway LinkedIn page received 178 visitors throughout July and August. During September and October, the page received 288 visitors.

4. FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

November #StillOpen campaign to support tourism, retail and hospitality businesses in Dorset and promotion of business directory refresh

November Local Growth Fund investment announcement for Innovation Suite and Innovation Resources at Arts University Bournemouth

November Getting Building Fund investment announcement at Kingston Maurward College – University Centre and Rural Business Hub

November Skills investment announcement – Higher Education Centre (Getting Building Fund) at Weymouth College and three new Local Growth Fund projects at Bournemouth & Poole College

November / December

Skills investment project completions – Weymouth College Engineering Centre of Excellence, Bournemouth & Poole College Construction and Engineering plus Digital Enterprise and Innovation Hubs, Kingston Maurward College Outdoor Adventure Centre

November/ December

Getting Building Fund investment announcement Dorset NHS CCG Remote Management of Hypertension

November/ December

Start of construction to MoD Defence Innovation Centre at Dorset Innovation Park (Breaking ground announcement)

5. RECOMMENDATION

We are keen to feature as diverse a range of imagery in the Investment Prospectus. We have a clear brief of requirements which can be shared should your organisation be able to support. Please contact the comms team at dorsetlep@bournemouth.ac.uk.

The papers for agenda Item 4.2 are not included as they are Commercially Sensitive

The papers for agenda Item 4.3 are not included as they are Commercially Sensitive

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date 26 November 2020 Item Number 4.4

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title Update on Finance, Audit & Corporate Risk Committee

Recommendation None – for information only

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

This paper is a summary of the Finance, Audit & Corporate Risk activity.

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

The first Finance, Audit & Corporate Risk meeting was held in November 2020 where theTerms of Reference were agreed.

The meeting provided presentations on responsibilities and assurance arrangements, anoverview of finance reporting and an overview of risk management in order for theCommittee to understand current arrangements and to seek feedback on any furtherrefinements recommended by the Committee.

The minutes from this Committee are available on our website here.

3. RECOMMENDATION

None – for information only.

The papers for agenda Item 4.5 are not included as they are Commercially Sensitive

1

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 5.1

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Dorset LEP Business Growth and Inward Investment update

Recommendation

• To note the success of the Bid Writing Support Service • To help communicate the key messages around EU readiness

and the services being offered through the Dorset Gateway

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

To brief the board on activities and developments relating to business growth and inward investment and current activity within the key sectors across Dorset. This report supports the DLEP’s strategic objective for business growth and attracting inward investment to increase employment opportunity and raise productivity of businesses across the region. This paper aligns with Dorset LEP’s governance structure and will reflect those areas that are overseen by the Business Growth and Inward Investment (BG&II) Committee.

Inward investment is achieved through the delivery of the Memorandum of Understanding for foreign direct investment in partnership with the Department for International Trade (Investment Services Team).

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

2.1 Helping Dorset businesses to increase their resilience against the impact of economic

shocks

Business Resilience support Throughout September and October, we ran a series of webinars with financial and professional services firm, Smith & Williamson. These webinars were designed to give Dorset-based businesses access to free expert advice and support to help them recover from impacts of COVID-19. With the UK’s departure from the EU still likely to have a major impact on how businesses will operate in the future, the support was also aimed at helping them to get ready for when the transition period ends at the end of 2020. Whilst the support was applicable to a broad business base, there was a focus on providing specialist advice for those businesses that had been growing strong prior to COVID-19. As a follow-up to the programme, Dorset LEP secured additional funding through the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to offer around 40 more detailed business health evaluations on a one-to-one basis with expert business advisors. This support is being delivered through Smith & Williamson, Mazars LLP and PKF Francis Clark, all of which have expertise in evaluating business

2

health and formulating practical action plans that senior business leaders can take away and implement. Peer Networks Programme As reported previously, in the summer, we secured £165,000 of grant funding from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to run a Peer Networks programme in Dorset. The Peer Networks programme will see the creation of a series of peer network groups (cohorts), with each group consisting of 8-11 directors or managers from Dorset's SME business community. Sessions will be led by an experienced facilitator utilising the action learning methodology – a proven and highly effective way of running peer networks. Dorset LEP has received initial funding from the government to support 120 participants and we are working with a range of experienced and proven organisations to deliver this support between up until March 2021. Following an open, competitive tendering process, three external providers we’re selected to deliver the programme in partnership with Dorset Gateway. These providers are:

• Dorset Chamber of Commerce; • Evolve; and • CIRCLE Leadership.

Peer Networks is designed for business leaders who want to grow and develop their organisation for future success. Leaders and senior managers from Dorset's SME business community who meet the eligibility criteria below have been invited to register:

• Operated for at least one year; • At least five employees; • A turnover of at least £100,000; and • An aspiration to improve business output.

Ideally, these businesses will also demonstrate the ability and ambition to scale-up and/or export, or will be exporting already. Following a very successful recruitment campaign with the delivery partners, we have nearly allocated all spaces onto the programme and will be in a position to start running the sessions from early November, placing us well ahead of many other LEP areas. Throughout the course of the programme, we will be providing updates and interviews with participants on the programme in order to share their experiences and views on the support being provided. As part of the funding agreement, we are required to provide regular updates and programme monitoring reports to government. We have been eager to communicate the progress that we have made in establishing this programme so quickly along with our contracted delivery partners. In doing so, our efforts – along with four other areas - have been recognised by the team coordinating the programme on behalf of the government. As such, we have been invited to share our approach as part of a national event with other growth hubs and be part of a national promotional campaign for the programme. For more information about the programme, visit: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/peernetworks

Coronavirus business interruption schemes: The British Business Bank (BBB) has published updated figures concerning the take-up of COVID-19 related loan finance options amongst Dorset Businesses. These figures are produced by the BBB based on electoral constituencies.

3

Figure 1: Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme, loans offered by Dorset constituency, Vs south west and national

Figure 2: Bounce Back Loan Scheme, loans offered by Dorset constituency, Vs south west and national Summary evaluation of data • As of 15th October over 17,000 Dorset businesses had taken more than

£645,000,000 of COVID-19 related finance. • Dorset appears to draw 3% higher than the number of VAT registered businesses

by share. • The draw on Poole and Bournemouth West compares 4% higher than SME share in

CBILS and the amount is nearer national average in Bournemouth West. Bournemouth East on the other hand is notably down on CBILS take-up but up on BBLS.

At the start of November, and in response to the announcement of a further national lockdown, The Prime Minister confirmed that the government’s three Coronavirus business interruption loan schemes – the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) – and the Future Fund will be extended to 31 January 2021. It was also announced that eligible businesses will be able to ‘top up’ existing Bounce Back Loans should they need additional finance. We continue to work closely with our regional manager at the BBB monitor the data and provide communicate further information about the operation of these, and other schemes.

18/08/2020 15/10/2020 18/08/2020 15/10/2020

Constituency Number of Loans Offered

Number of Loans Offered

Number of Loans

Offered - %^

Value of Loans Offered (£)

Value of Loans Offered (£)

Value of Loans Offered

(£)- %^

Bournemouth East 38 45 18% 6,554,660£ 8,949,661£ 37%Bournemouth West 114 142 25% 25,353,033£ 34,016,319£ 34%Christchurch 92 121 32% 14,096,930£ 28,045,039£ 99%Mid Dorset and North Poole 58 79 36% 10,622,268£ 15,912,255£ 50%North Dorset 99 126 27% 20,413,887£ 27,827,917£ 36%Poole 118 150 27% 25,256,810£ 31,419,862£ 24%South Dorset 49 59 20% 8,229,600£ 9,863,567£ 20%West Dorset 95 125 32% 14,577,514£ 21,055,336£ 44%

TOTAL DORSET 663 847 27% 125,104,702£ 177,089,956£ 43%SOUTH WEST 3950 5,120 28% 806,235,790£ 1,169,177 44%

NATIONAL 39500 56,491 29% 9,139,000,000£ 13,928,241,876 45%

CBILS

18/08/2020 15/10/2020 18/08/2020

Constituency Number of Loans Offered

Number of Loans Offered

Number of Loans

Offered - %^

Value of Loans Offered (£)

Value of Loans Offered

(£)

Value of Loans Offered

(£) - %^

Bournemouth East 1,658 2,207 33% 45,763,406£ 60,606,367£ 32%Bournemouth West 2,001 2,642 32% 60,591,797£ 78,162,146£ 29%Christchurch 1,433 1,912 33% 43,252,450£ 56,727,824£ 31%Mid Dorset and North Poole 1,270 1,670 31% 36,430,674£ 47,701,713£ 31%North Dorset 1,516 1,978 30% 44,190,011£ 56,048,575£ 27%Poole 1,770 2,329 32% 55,385,868£ 71,266,101£ 29%South Dorset 1,085 1,443 33% 29,666,487£ 39,342,741£ 33%West Dorset 1,630 2,076 27% 46,713,389£ 58,404,061£ 25%

TOTAL DORSET 12,363 16,257 32% 361,994,082£ 468,259,528£ 30%SOUTH WEST 77,331 102,569 31% 2,213,824,710£ 2,881,268,604£ 29%

NATIONAL 966,638 1,268,981 31% 28,846,000,000£ 38,330,294,758£ 29%

BBLS

4

Local Restrictions Support Grant Both local authorities will be administering the Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme that was introduced to support local businesses during the national lockdown that started on 5 November. We currently know that businesses required to close in England due to restrictions will be eligible for the following grants. For properties with a rateable value:

• of £15,000 or under: £1,334 per 4 weeks, or £667 per 2 weeks • between £15,000 and £51,000: £2,000 per 4 weeks, or £1,000 per 2 weeks • of £51,000 or over: £3,000 per 4 weeks, or £1,500 per 2 weeks

Both councils will be administering the grants but are waiting for confirmation from government about eligibility for the scheme and how it should be delivered. Support for small businesses In addition to Dorset LEPs continuing Crowdfund Dorset Business Campaign, we have launched a new campaign to help promote and support local, small independent businesses that are still operating during the lockdown. The #StillOpen campaign aims to encourage local residents to shop locally and help Dorset businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19 by publicising those businesses that are still trading, albeit in a limited capacity. The campaign will also lead up to Small Business Saturday on 5

December.

2.2 Ensuring innovation is a key foundation of productivity in Dorset

Bid Writing Support Service success Our funded Bid Writing Support Service (BWSS) has continued to be popular and has enjoyed a fantastic level of success so far this financial year. The four businesses that successfully secured funding (a total of £190,000) as part of the COVID-19 response were up against a huge number of other applications; there were 8,600 applications to this competition in the UK with only a 10% success rate. This clearly demonstrates that Dorset Gateway’s BWSS can significantly improve a company’s chance of winning this type of highly competitive competition. In addition to these successes, the service has also helped three further businesses secure grants totalling more than £345,000 through the government’s Sustainable Innovation Fund. Background: The BWSS was introduced in June 2018 after it was identified that the south west was the region that received the lowest amount of Innovate UK grant funding in England – around 7%. Of that figure, Dorset businesses were receiving the smallest proportion of the funds that were coming into the south west region. To address this, Dorset LEP backed an investment into establishing a funder bid writing service. Impacts: Since its inception, the service has provided over 1,000 hours of bid writing support directly to more than 50 businesses. Furthermore, the service has been a feature at 10 regional events/workshops, including two national One Health conferences, run a series of podcasts and published bid writing blogs. All of this activity has helped to attract the attention of other LEPs and colleagues at BEIS – as well as other government departments such as the DIT and DEFRA. The service has also leveraged funding and support from the likes of the SETsquared Partnership, the National Oceanographic Centre and the four national agri-centres. This activity has resulted helping businesses secure more than £1.9m of competitive grant funding.

5

“…to be offered the chance to take up the SMART grant is a significant step forward. We have, kept going for 5 years without any remuneration and it has been a struggle with patent payments etc., but now finally! We can't thank you enough for your expertise and guidance.” Alan Rallings, Cyclopic.

Context: Based on a Freedom of Information request submitted to Innovate UK, between the start of April 2020 and 30 September, there were 68 applications where the funding decision were known and the lead applicant was in the Dorset LEP region (based on the applicants registered address). Of these, 13 had been successful in securing grant funding. From the 35 Expressions of Interest received by the BWSS during the same period, 11 have were taken through to submission, of which four were successful in securing grant funding, totalling just under £200,000.

Grant applicant Fund Amount Year

BCP Council Business Basics £ 244,932.00 2019/20

Cyclopic SMART £ 411,000.00 2019/20

Cropdesk COVID £ 49,845.00 2020/21

People Matters COVID £ 49,703.00 2020/21

Sourcing Playground COVID £ 42,088.00 2020/21

Famiio COVID £ 49,000.00 2020/21

Diary Zapp Sustainable Innovation Fund £ 93,799.00 2020/21

EMBAROGOED Sustainable Innovation Fund £ 160,000.00 2020/21

Carbon Cut Sustainable Innovation Fund £ 91,938.00 2020/21

£ 1,192,305.00

Figure 3: Bid Writing Support Service successes 2.3 Focusing resources on our existing strengths and high-growth sectors

Marine and Clean Growth support The Department for International Trade (DIT) have appointed a marine sector and clean growth sector specialist to help businesses across the Great South West (covering the Heart of the South West, Dorset and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEPs) looking to export their products and services internationally (see 2.5 below). The free service open to all marine sector and clean growth sector companies in the area, can provide support and guidance on the following and more:

• Business modelling • Market entry planning and preparation • Sales and marketing • Identification and introduction to potential customers and overseas business

partners

We will be working with both of these new posts to promote opportunities for Dorset businesses.

2.4 Promoting Dorset as a key inward investment area for innovative, ambitious and fast growing businesses

High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for Sustainable Aquaculture: As a result of the great level of interest that Dorset’s HPO for Sustainable Aquaculture has generated, Jo Rufus, Economic Development Officer at Dorset Council and Martin Sutcliffe,

6

Aquaculture Development Officer, from Dorset Coast Forum, were invited by the DIT’s Agri-Tech Team to represent to their Agri-Tech Developing Sector Knowledge (DSK) event. As representatives of Dorset LEPs successful HPO team, they were invited to share some of the insights into what has made the proposition successful. The feedback from the DIT agri-tech team was very positive and they were impressed with how we had developed the opportunity and network in the region and it provided them with an excellent picture of what a developed HPO should look like. DSK events are run by DIT to help promote investment opportunities with overseas posts. High Potential Opportunity (HPO) Round 2: Back in the summer, Dorset LEP was part of a successful multi-LEP bid as part of the second round of the DIT’s HPO scheme. The HPO for Marine Autonomy was a bid made in partnership with Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP and Heart of the South West LEP, and was one of 19 successful HPOs awarded as part of round 2. In addition, the Marine Autonomy HPO was identified as one of those to be fast-tracked for development. As a such, a stakeholder workshop involving three LEPs as well as businesses and organisations from the respective regions was held with DIT at the end of September; this included Dorset Council’s 5G Rural Dorset programme, Atlas Electronik and BAE Systems as well as Dorset LEP. The first draft of the HPO will be circulated in November for comment and will be shared directly with all of those that partook in the workshop in September.

2.5 Helping Dorset’s businesses to access opportunities for growth through exporting

goods and services overseas

EU Transition support From 31 October, we have increased the support currently offered to Dorset’s businesses to help them prepare for these changes. In addition to the information, advice and signposting already on offer, the increased support includes access to a specialist adviser to help businesses understand, navigate and answer questions. This also builds on the international trade support already provided by Dorset Chamber. A fully-funded customs declaration support service is now also available to support up to 200 businesses. This service is available to those currently exporting so they can continue to do so after the transition period is over. Additionally, Dorset Gateway aims to support at least 40 businesses looking to become first-time exporters. From 1 January 2021, there will be border procedures for importing and exporting goods to and from the EU. Traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for new customs paperwork. The new regulations are complex and businesses will need specialist advice and support in addition to the Customs Declaration itself. The service will also include the promotion of international trade as a route to business growth including regular content on:

• Why businesses should consider exporting • How to begin the export journey • Support and help available • How to access new markets

This information is already extensively promoted by Dorset Chamber through editorials, events and social media messaging. To find out more about the service: https://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/transition-period

7

Export Growth Plan In October, the government unveiled a package of measures to help businesses in England build back better following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Export Growth Plan provides additional financial support and expertise, some of which is targeted towards specific regions; this includes the south west. The plan also includes a £38 million Internationalisation Fund for small businesses, which will help up to 7,600 SMEs in England grow their overseas trading and strengthen their business. Additional support for exporters will be provided by 64 new International Trade Advisors (ITAs), many of them working closely with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), who will lend their expertise to small businesses in the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and South West. A new pilot Export Academy will also be introduced to support smaller businesses in the same areas. The Academy will deliver a series of activities to build the capabilities of smaller companies, creating a new cohort of confident businesses ready to trade. This will launch towards the end of November. For the south west specifically, this has meant that four new roles have been created to work with and promote support for businesses. As mentioned above, these new roles include two new sector specialists covering Marine and Clean Energy. Members of the Dorset Gateway team have already engaged with these new post holders and will be working closely with them to help promote initiatives such as the Export Academy. The Export Academy is a new regional programme, that’s being piloted in just three regions of the UK; the South West, the North West and the Midlands. Its target market is companies just over the VAT threshold, £84 000 up to £500 000 turnover who are non-high export potential, although they will also take new companies and start-ups that are below that £84 000 turnover limit as well as taking bigger companies turning over more than £500 000 if there’s a strong reason for doing so. The Export Academy will deliver a series of webinars that cover the export journey. The aim of the Export Academy is to tackle five barriers to exporting - lack of knowledge, attitudinal reasons, cost, access and capacity - by giving the clients and companies information and inspiration to export. For more information, visit: www.events.great.gov.uk/ExportAcademy

3. RECOMMENDATION

• To note the success of the Dorset Gateway’s Bid Writing Support Service in helping

secure £1.9m of government grant funding for Dorset businesses/projects • To note the initial success and recognition that the Peer Networks programme has

received via the national Peer Networks programme coordinators. • To note the continued success of the Sustainable Aquaculture HPO.

1

DORSET LEP SKILLS ADVISORY PANEL AND BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 5.2

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Dorset LEP Programmes Skills Advisory Panel and Board

Recommendation

For Information

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

This paper is to update Directors on the work and activity of the Dorset Skills Advisory Panel and Board between Sept – Nov 2020, with a specific update on development linked to emerging Dorset Investment Prospectus. Appendix A provides the latest update on progress.

2. SUMMARY 2.1 Investment Prospectus skills work

The Skills Advisory Panel and Board (SAP&B) have deliberated the potential investment opportunities to meet the future skills needs of Dorset aligned to the Local Industrial Strategy (LIS), economic impact of COVID-19 and related Dorset investment prospectus. In September the ‘big ideas’ meeting brought together the committee to debate opportunities across the skills agenda to meet the objectives of the Skills Plan aligned with the Dorset LIS. Ideas were received during the 2-month window for submission of ideas, and at the SAP&B on the 17th November the committee reviewed and debated the areas and themes associated with the ideas submitted, and how these will align to the investment prospectus work. The SAP&B agreed to take strategic leadership for development of the investment prospectus skills portfolio into 2021 and onwards – commissioning further activity where required, framing new investment programmes as they emerge (such as the forthcoming Shared Prosperity Fund). This strategic leadership will help shape and develop the ‘big ideas’ further looking at optimum skills delivery mechanisms, alignment to the analysis of skills-based evidence, opportunities for collaboration and economies of scale whilst ensuring a linkage across (skills) supply and (business) demand within the investment prospectus and future delivery.

Following wider discussion and recommendation of next steps by the Dorset LEP Board, the SAP&B will form a small task and finish group during December 2020 to take a high level review of investment ideas and themes linked to skills to identify priority, scale and pace feeding into the investment prospectus work and leading to those ideas/themes that will enable identification and development of transformational skills investment priorities. Minutes of the latest SAP&B can be found online at; https://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/userfiles/files/SAPBoard_Minutes_14_September_2020_PublishedDraft.pdf

2

Appendix A Progress update: 1. The Labour Market Information update

LMI produced by Dorset LEP and shared with partners reflects the following picture between Sept – Oct 2020:

• Vacancies continued to bounce back (reaching 5,294) and overtook last year’s

levels for the first time since March and this trend is continued in October. • The number of claimants remaining persistently high with 4.8 claimants for every

vacancy (down from the peak in May (of 7.5). • Furloughed and self-employed in receipt of SEISS significantly decreased. There

were 34,700 furloughed employees at the end of August - 77,700 less than previous month – from 34% to 10% of eligible employments.

• Contact jobs - demand for most direct contact jobs such as sales, customer service and skilled trades is generally lower in 2020, but nurses and care workers remain highly sought after.

• Employers - the NHS, Councils, educational, care and residential settings, as well as financial and engineering firms have remained among the top recruiters.

• Industries show a mixed picture. Labour demand continued to improve in professional services, manufacturing and engineering, but remained under significant pressure in arts, entertainment, accommodation and food services with 45% fewer vacancies this year compared to last and around 45% of the eligible staff on furlough leave nationally.

The Dorset LEP team continue to produce LMI information for specific industry areas, with national updates available in Wider economy insights available via Dorset LEP website.

2. Dorset Skills Action Plan

The SAP&B have recently published the Dorset LEP Skills Action Plan and Dorset LEP Skill Action Plan Activities 2020 - 2022 The Dorset Skills Plan draws on evidence of our regional strengths, prospects and challenges. It shapes the strategic direction of travel to ensure Dorset continues to deliver the employment and skills opportunities that enable people, businesses, and communities to not only recover from the effects of a global pandemic, but also to aspire, thrive and prosper. The Dorset Skills Action Plan details the rationale behind our vision, our priorities and the headline actions to achieve our ambitions. Whilst it focuses on skills, it sits alongside the Local Industrial Strategy and Investment Prospectus to reflect a holistic view of not only the skills needs which are required to propel Dorset into economic growth but also the infrastructure needed to ensure our region can access the education and training resources so that it can build, retain and attract a skilled workforce both now and in the future. These documents will feed into the development of the Local Skills Report which is to be produced by the SAPB before the end of March 2021 aiming to be a single consistent report across all SAPs nationally - a one stop shop for the skills work in the

3

county that helps to engage local partners and feed intelligence into central government.

2. Dorset Careers Hub Update

The Dorset Careers Hub has made a positive start to the new academic year. The 75 schools and colleges in the network have been restructured into new working groups, and the interim Hub Lead has been in post for 2 months. Also, sub-contracts are signed with both Dorset Council and BCP Council. At the start of the year the Careers Hub conducted a review of data and objectives, to define priorities for the year. This led to identifying the following priorities. Aligning Careers Hub with long-term needs of Dorset economy, as identified by LEP research and plans:

• Supporting schools to adapt to Covid • Develop more efficient and pan-Dorset ways of working • Within this framework, the following main pan-Dorset projects have been

identified. • Programme Planning

Supporting new schools to quickly put in place effective careers education plans. • Activation Fund

£1,000 available to each new school to meet local needs and kick-start their delivery.

• SEND Support Assistance for all 19 SEND institutions to close gap in average benchmarks achieved.

• Virtual Work Experience Project to mitigate Covid impact on workplace experiences by delivering virtual work experience to students across Dorset.

• Virtual Careers Fairs Project to mitigate Covid impact on employer encounters by delivering virtual careers fairs and exhibitions.

• Embedding LMI Disseminate LEP LMI to all schools through teacher resources, inset days, CPD, and SLT briefing papers.

Covid is the main risk facing the Careers Hub, because of its impact on normal school operations, and the operations of businesses we want to engage in Hub activities. As a result our contractual targets for Benchmark 5 and 6 are at risk, although every effort is being made to overcome the challenges. This situation is not unique to the Dorset Careers Hub, and CEC recognises Dorset as one of its highest-performing Hubs. CEC is monitoring benchmarks nationwide and may make adjustments to targets during the year in response to actual performance.

3. Department of Work and Pensions update

Department of work and Pensions (DWP) continue to provide assistance to business and workers through a variety of methods, looking to provide consistency of their strategy delivery with innovative solutions during the pandemic. Dorset LEP has provided LMI information through workshops to Dorset Jobcentre work coaches, ensuring informed guidance for coachees. This sharing of data will continue through monthly updates and new staff training. The latest highlighted information includes:

4

• Kickstart Materials - Kickstart Scheme details have been updated and promoted to employers. The number of initial applications rejected exceeded expectations and DWP were offering support for those who wish to successfully reapply. Details for employers and gateways are found at Kickstart materials (link is external)

• New Work Coaches - 4,500 new Work Coaches (link is external) are now lined up to join Jobcentres across the UK. The next round of Work Coach recruitment will kick off in mid-November 2020 with thousands of new vacancies available.

• Business Readiness Webinars - Over 3,000 people have attended sector-specific webinars (link is external) to help them get ready for the end of the transition period. Now with just 63 days to go until the UK’s new start, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma is encouraging firms to sign up for a second phase of webinars.

• Support for Businesses and Workers -Support will be increased (link is external) through the existing Job Support and self-employed schemes, and expanding business grants to support companies in high-alert level areas.

• Job Support Scheme (JSS) - reducing the employer contribution to those unworked hours to just 5%, reducing the minimum hours requirements to 20%, so those working just one day a week will be eligible. Employers will continue to receive the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus.

• Self-employed Grant- increasing the amount of profits covered by the two forthcoming self-employed grants from 20% to 40%

• Business Grants -cash grants of up to £2,100 per month primarily for businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector

1

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 5.3

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Update on Enterprise Zone Committee Meeting

Recommendation

None – for information only

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

This paper is to update the Board that the Enterprise Zone Committee Meeting met in October and agreed the Terms of Reference and indicative future areas of work.

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

The Dorset Enterprise Zone Committee has been established to focus as an ‘strategic board’ for the Dorset Enterprise Zone. The Enterprise Zone is a major focus for economic regeneration in Dorset, attracting new businesses to achieve economic and employment growth in key sectors. The Enterprise Zone Committee, chaired by private sector Board member John Sutcliffe, met in October 2020. The Committee’s primary aim is to unlock opportunities for additional investment and growth of Enterprise Zone sites (and concurrent generate business rates growth return). The Committee will facilitate realising the potential of the site which includes up to £30m of retained business rates alongside the ability to support business relocation, growth and expansion. This includes job creation and ensuring Dorset remains an attractive proposition for business. The Committee is concerned with setting and overseeing the strategic direction of the Enterprise Zone as well as the overall management of the Enterprise Zone programme. Key objectives include: • Reporting on the performance of the Enterprise Zone to the Dorset LEP Board. • Having oversight of the reporting to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. • Granting business rate relief on an individual company basis. • Management of the Enterprise Zone business rate growth investment fund over the medium to long term through making recommendations to the Dorset LEP Board as to how future funds should be dispersed. • Working with the landowner to realise the sites potential.

Future areas of work which the Enterprise Zone Committee will cover include ensuring delivery of the project, establishing measures of success, clarity on roles and responsibilities, alignment with the Local Industrial Strategy and Investment Prospectus, strategic ambition and the inward investment pipeline. The Terms of Reference, membership and minutes for the meeting can all be found here.

3. RECOMMENDATION None – this paper is for information only.

1

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

26 November 2020 Item Number 5.4

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Strategic Infrastructure Committee

Recommendation

To note the strategic importance of ongoing energy infrastructure challenges in Dorset. To approve the recommendation that Dorset LEP continue to work with partners to drive this agenda forward.

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☒ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

This paper provides a reminder to the Board on the strategic ambition for Dorset around energy and an update on the action taken by the Dorset LEP between August and October to work towards this. Activity includes discussions with energy suppliers, rail network providers and government funded support functions. The paper also outlines critical next steps to generate action to tackle the issue of energy for Dorset. The Board are asked to note the strategic importance of ongoing energy infrastructure challenges in Dorset and to approve the recommendation that Dorset LEP continue to work with partners to drive this agenda forward.

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

2.1 CONTEXT 2.1.1 Local Industrial Strategy & Investment Prospectus The Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) states the ambition for Dorset is to be ‘A place that is energy resilient, utilising local renewable energy sources’. In the LIS it is recognised that Dorset has a huge opportunity to create economic growth through energy, that there is a need to explore micro-power (renewable) generation in ‘growth zones’ and consideration of renewable energy sources at scale on land and at sea. The LIS acknowledges that the unused Distribution Network Operators (DNO) connections to roll out solar and wind that have thus far been underutilised allowing for the greening of energy at a significant scale. It is anticipated that success in this type of activity will allow for lower carbon and decreases in the cost of production and service delivery which in turn increases competitiveness. With Dorset producing less than 3% of the energy it uses, it is unsurprising that discussions within the LIS Steering Group have returned multiple times to the issue of a lack of appropriate energy supply to housing, transport (trains and electric vehicles) and business parks and how integral addressing this is to having a successful Investment Prospectus. 2.1.2 Joint LEP Energy Strategy Framework Dorset’s energy strategy is essentially that which is articulated in the publication Joint LEP Energy Strategy Framework: Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Dorset and Heart of the South West (January 2019). This document lays out the vision for energy infrastructure in the south west – ‘an energy future that is low carbon and more affordable, maximising and retaining benefits in the region’ and states the key issues as being that some of the best renewable energy resources in the UK are located in the South West but currently the

2

region is not benefitting from these resources and that the ageing energy infrastructure needs to transform. The opportunities identified in this document include: • The South West has the potential to be self-sufficient or even a net exporter of

electricity by 2030. • A rapid increase in electric vehicles over the next two decades brings the potential for

a longer-term transition to a hydrogen economy. • An opportunity exists to tackle energy inequalities with more efficient buildings;

deployment of heat pumps and heat networks. • Seeking investment into bigger and smarter transmission and distribution grids will

unlock the above.

The Joint LEP Energy Strategy Framework identifies six key roles for LEPs to play in realisation of opportunities and helping to overcome barriers. These include: 1. Leadership & influence 2. Aggregation 3. Knowledge sharing & advice 4. Fund administration 5. Brokerage 6. Investment pipeline management.

2.2 ACTION TAKEN BY THE DORSET LEP AUGUST- OCTOBER 2020 2.2.1 Meeting with Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) In July 2020, the Board accepted the recommendation from the Performance and Investment Committee ‘and asks the Dorset LEP management and Dorset Council to explore with energy companies grid capacity and future power supply needs for the Park’. As a consequence, Dorset LEP met with Steve Atkins (Distribution Systems Operator Transition Manager) and Rodger Yuile (Head of Connections Design & Quote (South)). This discussion focused on two main areas: I. Specific Known Issues in Dorset The issues around the insufficient power supply to the Dorset Innovation Park (Enterprise Zone) was highlighted to SSEN who were not aware of the issue. The need to upgrade the switch gear in the local substation in order to further develop the site was flagged and SSEN investigated this issue more fully. SSEN have confirmed that there is capacity available on the 11kV network, but operational restrictions on switchgear mean it is not possible to isolate some sections of the network, rendering them unavailable for connection. The implications of this are that SSEN would have to find suitable points of connection with longer lengths of cable to reach the premises, which can mean they will run into consenting difficulties. There is a capital scheme to replace switchgear and thus remove these restrictions, but this has been pushed back due to other investment priorities on the network, currently anticipated to be programmed after 2022. SSEN were also made aware of the lack of current capacity at North Dorset Business Park for business and local housing needs which they had not been notified of. SSEN have confirmed that they have virtually no capacity available on the 11kV network due to voltage constraints and if any further load was connected without reinforcement, they would not be able to provide supplies at the minimum statutory voltage. Connecting more load is possible but this would incur a cost that connecting customers would have to pay a share towards. The issue of inefficient energy supply for the rail link between Weymouth and Poole was also raised and SSEN were not aware of this as Network Rail had not flagged this as an issue to them. SSEN informed the Dorset LEP that any requests based on rail would need to be issued to them by Network Rail themselves. II. Strategic Programme of Work: Future Energy Provision for Dorset

3

In July 2020 Ofgem Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) set out proposals for a five-year investment programme of £25bn, with potential for an additional £10bn or more, to transform Britain's energy networks to deliver emissions-free green energy for the United Kingdom, whilst cutting the cost of this investment for consumers. Britain’s networks carry energy around the country to heat and power homes and businesses, and increasingly to power cars and other means of transport. They are privately owned and funded by the consumer through energy bills. They are monopolies – there is only one local network supplier ‘Distribution Network Operator’ (DNO) in each area. To protect consumers, Ofgem limits how much these networks can charge for the services they provide through five-year' price controls termed ‘RIIO’ (Revenue=Incentives+Innovation+Outputs). The RIIO model seeks to ensure consumers get the necessary investment in Britain's energy networks at a fair price. SSEN is the DNO for the Dorset LEP area, supplying both a gas and electricity. They have begun the process of preparing their submission to Ofgem by initiating a series of interactive web-based conferences with stakeholders and consumers in preparation for their Initial Submission which is to be delivered in July 2021. This is followed by the submission of a Full Business Plan by 1st December 2021 and a series of ‘hearings in public’ which will result in a determination by Ofgem in late 2022. The result of RllO-ED2 is a five year 'price control' period to run from April 2023 to March 2028. 2.2.2 South West Energy Hub As part of our regular meetings with David Lewis, the South West Energy Hub Programme Manager we have captured below the support for Dorset. The South West Energy Hub supports organisations across the wider South West of England to identify, develop and implement energy projects. The Energy Hub is one of five that have been established across England. In the South West, the Hub covers seven Local Enterprise Partnership areas. The West of England Combined Authority deliver the project on behalf of the seven LEP areas. Funding was secured from BEIS to provide this function following the successful completion of our energy strategy. The aim of the Energy Hub is to encourage investment into energy infrastructure, connect local institutions and share best practice across the five Hub regions to increase the number, scale and quality of energy projects. Projects supported by the Energy Hub will improve the way that energy is used, supplied or distributed. Many of these projects are likely to require direct investment and the Hub can offer support to project owners through the development stages, from feasibility, business case, design and planning to financing. The types of energy projects given support will range from home energy retrofitting to street lighting replacement, and from low carbon electricity and heat generation to energy supply for low carbon vehicles. In some cases the Hub may support a revenue investment project which offers a new service to consumers, particularly where this is innovative, has the potential to be replicated elsewhere and contributes to energy market transformation. Support the South West Energy Hub can provide includes: • Options appraisal and feasibility: assistance in considering different options for energy

projects, supporting the investigation of the feasibility of successfully developing a project including risk and developing a preferred option.

• Feasibility studies: undertake work to consider the technology options, site conditions and location, financial projections, planning and permitting requirements including grid connections, operations and governance alongside the delivery schedule.

4

• Business case: assistance to undertake a high-level cost-benefit analysis in order to assess the viability of a scheme, identify different funding options and support the decision to proceed.

• Design & planning: support for the initial scheme design and site(s) identification, liaising with planning authorities and the grid operators and developing a schedule of costs and revenues

• Financing: provide detailed financial modelling and undertake due diligence where required to support investment decision.

• Rural Community Energy Fund: support feasibility studies and development costs for rural community renewable energy projects through the Rural Community Energy Fund .

The conversation with the South West Energy Hub Programme Manager was also insightful as it revealed that zero carbon Innovation Parks will be offered by Solent, Wiltshire and other nearby areas in the very near future and action is swift, this will have a major impact on the attractiveness of Dorset for future Innovation Parks. 2.2.3 Meeting with Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) The KTN exists to connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities. The KTN Energy Team contributes to delivering the UK’s ambitious Net Zero targets and has specialists in Nuclear, Offshore Wind, Thermal Energy Systems, Batteries, Water, Hydrogen, Sustainable Energy, Grid and Distributed Systems, Electrical Energy Systems and Solar. The KTN Energy Team aims to simplify the energy innovation landscape by providing rapid transfer of high-quality information on technologies, markets, funding and partnership opportunities. It supports a wide range of activity from helping businesses to decarbonise and increase energy efficiency to having a seat on the government’s Carbon Connect programme to working with Sellafield to find decontamination solutions. The work of the KTN in general includes supporting the development of UK innovation to deliver clean, accessible and secure energy systems through a digitally enabled construction sector and so provide smart, resilient and successful cities and communities. They simplify the UK Innovation landscape and providing rapid transfer of high-quality information on technologies, markets, funding and partnering opportunities. The expertise they bring as an organisation spans energy systems, water, infrastructure and construction and therefore can contribute holistically to Dorset. The KTN Energy team are currently working across all LEPs in Wales to develop an Energy infrastructure for the future and can offer Dorset LEP a range of mechanisms to support energy related activity. This includes wide reaching strategy to support through funding for key initiatives and linking businesses with innovators.

2.2.4 Participation in SSEN Workshop Dorset LEP participated in an Annual Stakeholder Workshop hosted by SSEN in September. This workshop outlined the change in traditional models of energy supply (large scale generation – transmission – local distribution – customer) to new strategies of energy (diverse mix supply – power storage – local generation – high load demand). The workshop emphasised that local and regional coordination and action is required to address the toughest challenges for decarbonisation including understanding how to decarbonise buildings and what combinations of fabric upgrades, heating systems and infrastructure is needed locally, the future of the gas network and how to minimise the cost of transition for consumers including low carbon heating and electric vehicles. The workshop discussed the concept of Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) which is process to enable data-driven spatial and collaborative planning of local energy systems

5

to ensure cost-effective decarbonisation of local areas. There are seven steps in the LAEP process:

I. Identify and engage stakeholders II. Set area vision, objectives and targets III. Create and understand the local area energy system IV. Investigate future local energy scenarios V. Produce a local area energy strategy VI. Lead and implement VII. Monitor and review.

The LAEP process involves assessment and creation of a baseline energy profile for a specific area and a Local Energy Asset Representation (LEAR) tool has been created to aid in this. LEARs can represent the energy assets of a local area including housing, commercial buildings, social data, electric vehicles and so forth and include automated spatial analysis such as identifying homes with potential space for off street parking to facilitate electric vehicle charging or homes suitable for rooftop solar panels. SSEN will not undertake LAEPs but rather this is work they recommend being carried out within a region. To aid this SSEN will undertake a Local Network Plan in order to communicate the distribution network information for the development of a LAEP. Local network planning is an exercise to understand the plans of their supply areas and the impact of these on their network in order to make strategic investment decisions that will support decarbonisation in their network areas. This approach will focus on the electricity side of the energy system at a level of detail that allows coverage of the network area and SSEN have emphasised the need for stakeholder engagement and local authorities and all local network operators to work together and they will engage with LEPs to help facilitate this. There are four stages to the stakeholder engagement process for local network planning which are as follows and no solid time frames have been confirmed for these as yet.

I. Local demand and generation forecasts (taking account of specific social and geographical attributes)

II. Identifying network constraints and investments (co creating the baseline investment scenario)

III. Stakeholder engagement (determining the best investment scenario) IV. Stakeholder- led local network planning sessions.

Understanding a regions Net Zero ambition, strategy or plan is key to building the baseline of their RIIO-ED2 strategic investment. 2.2.5 Liaison with Network Rail Dorset LEP has been liaising with Network Rail regarding the ‘Bournemouth in 90’ study. Network Rail have met with the team responsible for timetable planning and it is anticipated they will have the analysis completed and ready to share with us in December. They have also consolidated the issues around energy supply to liaise with SSEN. We have also liaised with Network Rail regarding the power supply requirements for rail in Dorset. Network Rail have confirmed that the power capability of the rail system is at capacity and therefore any change to the service, either through increased frequency or by extending the current 5-car trains to 10-Car trains, will require power enhancement to enable that change. They have also confirmed that there are two main constraints to operating an enhanced service west of Poole.

6

• The first is that the grid capacity and ability of the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to provide the required level of power is restricted as Network Rail have a contract that only permits a certain power rating and permitted load. Operating a regular 10-car service or additional services would exceed current permitted system.

• The second is that Network Rail’s high voltage cable that carries the power to the system would need to treble in voltage to enable a change in service and this would need to be undertaken by the Grid/ DNO. The power supply would also require a renewal within the Network Rail renewal programme. As they replace like for like, Network Rail would seek third party funding to support any enhancements to treble the voltage; the Grid/ DNO would then need to agree any changes to the power rating and permitted load parameters.

Network Rail are looking at full renewal 2024 – 2034 however if recommendations from the Dorset Connectivity Continuous Modular Strategic Planning (currently in development), were to be taken forward to improve rail provision in Dorset then there is a likely opportunity to investigate how those renewals could be enhanced to enable the service change and how they might be funded.

2.3 NEXT STEPS The Dorset LEP Strategic Infrastructure Committee will continue to address how the energy issue is moved forward and to mobilise action for when SSEN wish to begin the local network planning exercise. It will also discuss the potential for creating a LAEP and the resources required to create this for Dorset. As part of the Strategic Infrastructure Committee, a plan to feed into RllO-ED2 strategic discussions will be established. The Strategic Infrastructure Committee will also explore how to make best use of the support and opportunities offered by both the South West Energy Hub and KTN Energy Team as well as the implantation of the Joint LEP Energy Strategy Framework. It is vital that more SW Energy hub bids are proposed from the Dorset area and that the best practice from existing studies is shared in Dorset. Dorset Connectivity Continuous Modular Strategic Planning will continue and the outcomes will be shared with the Strategic Infrastructure Committee. We advocate continuing to work closely with local authority partners on this important issue. This is an incredibly timely issues as indicated by these timelines for publications across BEIS: • Energy White Paper – late November/ early December • Buildings and Heat Strategy – within a month or two of the Energy WP • Fuel Poverty Strategy – Before the end of the year • Ten-point plan on the Green Industrial Revolution – due imminently • Nuclear Regulated Asset Base Consultation response – shortly after the WP • Renewable Heat Inventive Consultation response – “soon” • Net Zero strategy – a matter for the Treasury • UK National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement – December 12th • Why the delay to the publication of the UK Emissions Trading System (ETS) Common

Framework – because of ongoing Brexit negotiations, Kwarteng later added he felt the UK would be able to respond in time on the matter prior to Jan 1st. He also added a carbon tax had not been ruled out and the UK could easily do both.

3. RECOMMENDATION

The Board are asked to note the strategic importance of ongoing energy infrastructure challenges in Dorset and to approve the recommendation that Dorset LEP continue to work with partners to drive this agenda forward.

DORSET LEP BOARD MEETING COVER SHEET

Meeting Date

November Item Number 6.1

Security Level: Confidential ☐ Commercially Sensitive ☐

Unclassified ☒

Paper Title

Dorset Tourism Association Update – post conference

Recommendation

For info only

Papers are provided for:

Decision ☐ Discussion ☐ Information ☒

1. PURPOSE

Update of DTA activities

2. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

Ongoing work

3. RECOMMENDATION Info Only

The industry has had a strong performance in the early autumn, with bookings and activity at or above levels that would normally be seen at this time of year. There was relief that October half term was not included in the new lockdown, but frustration that what had appeared to be near-record levels of November bookings needed to be cancelled due to the new measures. Key issues raised at the most recent DTA board included:

- Feedback from other regions suggest that the impact on tourism from the higher tiers of lockdown measures is extremely damaging and that the negative impacts occur very quickly when an area moves into level 2 measures. With BCP and Dorset at Level 1 before the most recent lockdown, the LEP board should be aware that coming out of lockdown to a higher level would be extremely detrimental to tourism and hospitality which have lost a full month of business in November.

- The outlook for 2021 and 2022 looks positive for domestic tourism so long as business are able to open. Domestic tourism bookings appear that they will be strong and overseas holidays are not booking strongly. The desire from the industry is that Visit England and Visit Britain prioritise domestic tourism over inbound tourism over the coming months to adapt to this shift.

- Sales of camper vans and caravans have reached record levels in 2020. This implies a

potential for very high levels of unregulated tourism activity or wild camping in 2021. While this may not be as extreme as was seen in 2020, this would undermine the hard work of Dorset’s tourism sector in being covid secure and may result in a loss of confidence from local people in the safety of the industry. It is important that local authority plans for dealing with unregulated activity are in place well before Easter.

Together with other tourism organisations in the Great South West, the DTA wrote to all the local MP’s at the end of October to lay out the risks to the industry and the measures needed to mitigate these risks. The South West tourism organisations have a Zoom meeting with the Tourism Minister on 12th November. The emphasis for our region is on sector wide support needed across the South West, where the issues in each LEP area are nearly identical. Future Strategy Future operation of tourism in the county was reviewed by an NCTA study at the beginning of 2020. While the response to the recommendations of the report is suspended due to the current pandemic, the issues of brand coherence, good data and off-peak business will remain central to the future of Dorset’s tourism industry and this will need to be readdressed in early 2021 in partnership with both local authorities. As a first measure to seek to address issues of seasonality in the tourism sector at a strategic level, the DTA is leading the formation of a consortium of leading arts and heritage venues to draw up a programme that would give a structural improvement in the cultural offer across the county and conurbation. The programme is anchored on the area’s Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations and looks to improve their capacity, fabric and sustainability. The programme will tie into the BCP cultural enquiry.