Nottingham City Council Delegated Decision Reference Number: 1527 Author: Dave Tantum Department: Development Contact: Dave Tantum (Job Title: Partnership Manager, Email: dave.tantum@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, Phone: 01158762908) Subject: Total Value: Core Funding to Creative Quarter Company 600,000 over 3 years. 200,000 in 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 (Type: Revenue) Decision Being Taken: To provide 200,000 annual core funding for three years to the Creative Quarter Company to secure additional business development and project manage priority economic and regeneration projects in the area which will create jobs for local people; develop the reputation of the area nationally and internationally as the place to start, grow and sustain a creative business; and develop a fund raising strategy that makes the Company self sustaining. Reference Number: 1527, Page No: 1 of 4
Reasons for the Decision(s) The Creative Quarter is the Nottingham Growth Plan flagship project and the centre piece of Nottingham's City Deal with Government. The purpose of this long term project to make Nottingham and the Creative Quarter in particular a great environment where enterprise can flourish and the place to start, grow and sustain a creative innovative business that will create new jobs and apprenticeships for Nottingham citizens. The City Council established the Creative Quarter Company as agreed with Government in the City Deal negotiations. The Creative Quarter Company was set up in 2013 and has created energy and enthusiam for the project on the ground through engaging with businesses, property developers and cultural / events communities to galvanise support and momentum. Over 100 businesses have so far been supported or advised, a property strategy developed and events curated. Many of ther Business Support and Financal Incentives in the Nottingham Prospectus are now targetting businesses in the Creative Quarter. The gateway to these incentives for businesses in the area will be through the Creative Quarter Company. This three year funding provides the Creative Quarter Company with core funding to deliver the City's flagship project and enable the Company to become self sustaining. The funding will secure additional business development, fundraising, project management and communications support as well as work to deliver the initial three year action plan of the Creative Quarter Strategy 2014-2023 including: 1. CQ specific PR activity; 2. Inward Investment Support; 3. Property Strategy Interventions; 4. Running Costs The funding will enable the Company to: Develop a holistic Creative Quarter Strategy for the period 2014-23. Integrate the wide range of projects and programmes being delivered for the benefit of The Creative Quarter into a coherent Initiative with one 'front-door' for CQ businesses and businesses looking to locate in the CQ Pilot a Vacant Office Refurbishment Scheme in 2014-15 Maintain an office presence in The Creative Quarter, which acts as the 'front-door' for all CQ businesses. Pull together a consortium of 'business support' organisations to design a more coherent system of business support Develop 'The Forge' pilot, with a view to developing a sustainable social enterprise support programme. Develop and Support the delivery of programmes and projects to improve the business environment in The Creative Quarter, working with NCC and businesses in the area. These include: the delivery of CQ Connect, the Hockley Development Action plan, Public realm and highway improvements, Sneinton Market and Dakeyne Street, Apprenticeships in the CQ. Procure the services of a dedicated PR and Media company for 2014-15 to build the reputation of The CQ cluster nationally and internationally. Employ a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic guidance for the CQ Initiative and work strategically with partners Employ an Administrator to support the administrative operation of the organisation Employ a Development Manager with responsibility for levering in additional funding for the CQ area, programmes and projects from both the private and public sector and all CQ investment partners This will deliver key outcomesby 2017/18: 1. 10% Increase the overall number of businesses based in the CQ 2. The creation of 777 FTE jobs (Gross Impact) or 587 FTE jobs on a net basis Other Options Considered: Not funding the project was rejected as this is Nottingham's flagship economic project where two of Nottingham's sector (Life Sciences and Creative Digital Industries) for potential rapid growth are clustered. The area is where there is a concerted approach to starting, growing and sustaining cretaive and innovative businesses. Reference Number: 1527, Page No: 2 of 4
Background Papers: Business case for Creative Quarter project - sets out the purpose, objectives and outputs for the project. Unpublished background papers: 140522 Business case.doc Published Works: Affected Wards: Citywide Colleague / Councillor Interests: Exempt Information: Description of what is exempt: An appendix (or appendices) to this decision is exempt from publication under the following paragraph(s) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 5 - Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings. The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because it contains legal advice in respect of which a claim for legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings Documents exempt from publication: exempt legal advice creative quarter final[2].doc Consultations: Those not consulted are not directly affected by the decision. Crime and Disorder Implications: None Equality: EIA not required. Reasons: Decisions not related to policy, services or functions Reference Number: 1527, Page No: 3 of 4
Decision Type: Portfolio Holder Subject to Call In: Yes Call In Expiry date: 27/06/2014 Advice Sought: Legal, Finance Legal Advice: This advice is exempt from publication and is contained within an exempt appendix Advice provided by Andrew James (Team Leader Contracts and Commercial) on 21/05/2014. Advice provided by Andrew James (Team Leader Contracts and Commercial) on 09/06/2014. Finance Advice: The cost of this decision is estimated to be 0.600m, phased 0.200m in 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17. These costs can be met from reserves earmarked for this purpose. The report states that this three year funding will provide the Creative Quarter Company with core funding to deliver the City's flagship project and to develop a fund raising strategy that makes the Company self sustaining. Advice provided by Jim Driver (Finance Service Partner) on 28/04/2014. Signatures Nick McDonald (Portfolio Holder for Jobs and Growth) SIGNED and Dated: 20/06/2014 David Bishop (Corporate Director Development and Growth) SIGNED and Dated: 16/06/2014 Reference Number: 1527, Page No: 4 of 4
GOOD TO GREAT BUSINESS CASE Name of Programme Description of Programme Creative Quarter The vision for the Creative Quarter in 2020 is: An innovative thriving enterprise quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre with a national and international reputation as a crosssectoral cluster which has had transformative impact The Good to Great allocation will enable the Creative Quarter company to: Develop a holistic Creative Quarter Strategy (with wide stakeholder engagement) for the period 2014-23. Integrate the wide range of projects and programmes being delivered for the benefit of The Creative Quarter into a coherent Initiative with one front-door for CQ businesses and businesses looking to locate in the CQ. Develop and deliver an effective inward investment plan for The CQ, in partnership with the NCC inward investment team, the IIN Club and other private sector partners. Pilot a Vacant Office Refurbishment Scheme in 2014-15. Maintain an office presence in The Creative Quarter, which acts as the front-door for all CQ businesses. Enable the company to pull together a consortium of business support organisations to design a more coherent system of business support from 2015 onwards Develop The Forge pilot, with a view to developing a sustainable social enterprise support programme. Develop and Support the delivery of programmes and projects to improve the business environment in The Creative Quarter, working with NCC and businesses in the area. These include: the delivery of CQ Connect, the Hockley Development Action plan, Public realm and highway improvements, Sneinton Market and Dakeyne Street, Apprenticeships in the CQ. Procure the services of a dedicated PR and Media company for 2014-15 to build the reputation of The CQ
cluster nationally and internationally. Employ a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic guidance for the CQ Initiative and work strategically with partners to lever inward investment for the area. Employ an Administrator to support the administrative operation of the organisation Employ a full-time Development Manager with responsibility for levering in additional funding for the CQ area, programmes and projects from both the private and public sector and all CQ investment partners. Strategic Fit The Creative Quarter is the flagship project of Nottingham s Economic Growth Plan and the centre piece of the City Deal with Government. The Creative Quarter is home to BioCity and Antenna, Nottingham s Lifesciences and Creative & Digital Industries sector hubs. These are two of the priority sectors identified for rapid growth in the Nottingham Growth Plan. By 2023 it is intended that the Creative Quarter Initiative (of which the Creative Quarter company is a part) will have significantly contributed to The Growth Plan targets by increasing employment in the City by 7103 jobs. The Creative Quarter Nottingham Limited was established in 2013 as part of the agreement with Government in the City Deal. In April 2013 a full time Chief Operations Officer was appointed, who is now the Chief Executive of the company. The Company has a Board of Directors drawn from the business, education, voluntary and public sectors, including Nottingham City Council. The Creative Quarter is the focus for a package of concerted business development activity to enable entrepreneurship in the heart of Nottingham s City Centre. It encompasses the Lace Market, Nottingham s former traditional manufacturing centre, and Hockley, a thriving independent retail and leisure centre. Many of Nottingham s emerging growth sectors businesses are already located here and it is where new creative businesses are being encouraged to locate to create a high value clustering effect. Objectives of programme 1. To foster enterprise (Creative Enterprise) 2. To attract and develop high-quality skilled people in the
CQ (Creative People) 3. To create an attractive connected environment with a fitfor-purpose infrastructure for business location & visitors (Creative Place) These are all interconnected. A creative place engenders a visible creative pulse which is intangible but is easily recognised by people. The right creative workspace and environment attracts creative people to the area and the city, and creative people enjoy being around and socialising with other creative people in a social environment with an independent character-filled artistic, social, retail and leisure scene. Combined, the right combination of people, place economy will support a creative Ecosystem, linking all three into a unique economic cluster with a special atmosphere and vibe The Creative Quarter company s role is to manage that creative ecology in the CQ that responds to and supports the creative heartbeat and future economic success of the city while still allowing it to retain its edginess and disruptive energy. Support of Stakeholders The Directors of the Creative Quarter Board are drawn from the private, HE/FE, public and voluntary sectors and includes representatives from Nottingham s three growth sectors as well as SMEs based in the Creative Quarter. Key Partners and Stakeholders NCC Boots Experian Nottingham University Nottingham Trent University New College Nottingham BioCity Confetti Media Group Cleantech Centre Renewal Trust Broadway
Nottingham Contemporary Experience Nottinghamshire Invest in Nottingham Club Creative Quarter-based businesses Outputs Creative Enterprise: Increase in business birth, growth and expansion in The Creative Quarter area Major sectoral clusters in the areas of digital content, innovative ICT, E-commerce, video and mobile gaming, cultural and creative industries, innovative food production, light manufacturing, life-sciences & cleantech within the CQ area and its partner incubators. A demonstrable increase in the level of technological and business model innovation among businesses in The Creative Quarter area. Innovation will be crosssectoral and connected to the innovation and research activity in the city s universities Increased inward investment into The Creative Quarter area with businesses of major national and international reputation making Nottingham their location of choice A successful independent retail and leisure sector in the area, supporting a thriving day-time and night-time visitor economy. The retail offer is digitally sophisticated and uses the digital connectivity of the area to engage shoppers through interactivity, information services, and mobile applications. Significant growth in the number and range of microbusinesses, sole traders, freelance workers. Significant growth in the number and range of businesses in the area offering professional services. Increase in the number and range of social ventures working and based in the area, generating new forms of social and cultural value. Target: Increase the overall number of businesses based in the CQ by 10% over the three year period.
Creative People: The CQ area and its businesses offer a wide range of programmes for young people to support them into employment, including apprenticeships, internships, work experience, and creative careers events. These are supported by clear entry points and are easy to access. The CQ area contributes to graduate retention in the city through an innovation programme of internships, graduate work placements and start-up business programmes for graduates. The area and its businesses are constantly improving the skills of local people through education and training which prepares people for employment in the city s new knowledge and creative economy. Creative Environment An attractive welcoming public realm, which is regularly animated through a programme of creative and cultural events, markets, street animation and festivals The area has outstanding digital connectivity which provides better and faster digital access for businesses (giving them competitive advantage) and the public. This digital infrastructure is imaginatively used to engage and attract visitors to the area. The heritage buildings in the area are transformed into sector hubs, innovation centres, new visitor attractions and flagship buildings supporting continued business growth. The residential offer in the area is diverse and attractive, with a healthy mix of social and private housing stock and a mix of students, young professionals and families living in the area The area is legible and easy to access and it invites visitors to explore and move around its attractive environment The area is culturally vibrant, with contemporary arts and cultural and digital activity manifesting itself everywhere. The CQ generates economic value for the area and its
businesses through a strong visitor heritage offer, including a range of heritage product and experiences. It also offers a range of innovative digital and interactive ways of exploring the heritage of The Lace Market and Hockley. The area is known as a green quarter, with pockets of greenspace used to a maximum throughout, and with all underutilised space used for urban gardening. The area will also become a demonstrator for sustainability, with buildings in the area made to become energyefficient. Leverage: The Creative Quarter company will also deliver the CQ highprofile events programme as a delivery partner with Nottingham City Council, drawing on 500,000 of ERDF monies from the CQ ERDF project. This will also enable the company to: Deliver a high-profile CQ Events programme to support businesses in the area. Procure a PR and Media company to ensure these events achieve a high profile in the regional, national and international media. Employ a full-time Information & Communications Officer who will plan and implement an ongoing communications plan for the area, its businesses and the company. This will also involve developing mechanisms for ongoing communication with CQ businesses to ensure they access information on all opportunities available to support their growth.