Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to a report presented by the Economic Growth Team Manager who explained that the purpose of the paper was to provide a detailed update regarding the STEP fusion programme and the work that the council and wider stakeholder cohort had, and were, undertaking to support the programme. The paper considered the programme’s next steps and the ongoing enabling activity required to ensure that the forecast economic benefits the programme could deliver, would be realised in West Lindsey and the region more broadly. Members heard that significant programme progress had been made since the council’s formal involvement in the programme commenced in 2023. This had been made possible through a range of different activities, delivered (or in-delivery) through the continued direction of the STEP Strategic Collaboration Group and included:

·         the STEP Economic Impact Assessment;

·         the Trent Valley Clean Energy Super Cluster Vision (TVSCV);

·         the STEP Base Year Traffic Model;

·         Skills Programme development; and;

·         Community and Business Events and Communications

The programme would continue to evolve during 2025 at both strategic and operational levels, including elements of enabling work more specific to West Lindsey.

Discussions between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire local government representatives had already taken place in 2025 to explore how the next phase of enabling works should be organised to ensure ongoing geographic collaboration and benefit realisation. More programme management and commissioning discussions would take place during the spring.

It was highlighted that the Economic Impact Assessment and visioning work was feeding into the development of the Strategic Growth Priorities for the emerging Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority. Discussions had been initiated as to how the required package of enabling works would be organised and funded to ensure that Lincolnshire was able to contribute to supporting the delivery of STEP and maximising the predicted local benefits.

The Officer concluded that as well as the activities undertaken as a collaborative project partner, in order for West Lindsey to realise the longer term opportunities and benefits identified through the delivery of the programme(s), the council would need to prepare a STEP vision for Gainsborough. The ‘STEP Investment Plan’ would position Gainsborough as a thriving hub of innovation, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, leveraging the proximity of West Burton and the surrounding supercluster to drive economic and housing growth, attract investment and create high-quality jobs for decades to come.

In response to a question from Vice Chairman Councillor T. Young regarding infrastructure improvements required to enable growth, it was explained that transport planning was at a very early stage, however, in working on modelling the flow of traffic across the region, it was considered there would be supporting evidence for a new bridge to be built across the River Trent. Agencies would work collaboratively regarding the options in the future.

Members of the Committee were unanimously supportive of the improvements and opportunities which would arise from the programme and welcomed the council’s continued involvement.

Having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the programme update be accepted and Committee agreed to receive a written committee update on the STEP programme in Q1 2026, covering the period FY 2025/26; and

b)    officers continue to evolve the concept of the STEP Investment Plan (and linked workstreams), and identify co-funding opportunities to deliver enabling activities.