Purpose

To approve the outcomes of the competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Post-16 Capacity fund, to provide more teaching space for the growing population of 16–18-year-olds.

This approval includes: the progression of the shortlisted projects to the next stage of the assurance and approval process; the delegation arrangements for subsequent Business Justification Case (BJC) approvals; and the proposed approach to programme management and oversight funding, in accordance with the Combined Authority’s assurance framework.

Decision

RESOLVED:– That the Combined Authority Board:

1. Approved the shortlist of projects identified through the Expression of Interest process as fully fundable, to progress to business case development, in accordance with the Combined Authority’s Assurance Framework.
2. Delegated authority to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to approve business cases, in consultation with the Mayor and in accordance with the Combined Authority Assurance Framework, and ensure due diligence requirements were met and enter into grant agreements with the Combined Authority.
3. Approved the inclusion of additional shortlisted ‘fundable’ projects on a capital pipeline and that discussions be commenced with the highest-ranked of these projects to explore the potential for a negotiated funding offer within the resources available and/or should further capital funding become available.
4. Approved that, should a project not progress, discussions be undertaken with the next highest-ranked fundable project(s), in ranking order, to explore whether a deliverable project could be supported within the available funding.
5. Approved, in principle, the establishment of a revolving finance facility to enable capital investment into the Further Education sector within the region.