Agenda item

Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District And Sheffield International Economic Commission

It was moved by Councillor Leigh Bramall, seconded by Councillor Chris Rosling- Josephs, that this Council:-

(a)       welcomes the ambitious proposals that have been brought forward by Sheffield and Rotherham to create the first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District in the UK;

(b)       notes that the aim is to create an Advanced Manufacturing cluster of international scale as well as expertise and welcomes that the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will soon be enhanced by the development of Factory 2050 which is a key project for the city;

(c)       recalls that Innovation Districts are a geographic area that combines research institutions, innovative firms and business incubators with the benefits of urban living, and unlike traditional science parks, these districts cluster cutting-edge research in geographic areas that are liveable, walkable, bike-able, and transit connected, to create an environment that actively fosters innovation;

(d)       welcomes that the Innovation District was announced at the first part of the Sheffield International Economic Commission launched by the present Administration;

(e)       believes that attracting Bruce Katz, Vice President of the Brookings Institute and author of “The Rise of Innovation Districts” and Kelly Kline, Economic Development Director in the city of Fremont, California, is a big coup for the City and reflects the ambitions of the Commission;

(f)        welcomes the positive reception for the Innovation District and International Economic Commission in local, regional and national media, which is important to enhancing the City’s reputation on a national and international stage to attract investment into the city;

(g)       welcomes the partnership working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the University of Sheffield and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre for their work on the visit and the partnership working as part of the Innovation District;

(h)       thanks Sheffield Forgemasters, Alcoa and the Tata Proving Factory at Newburgh Precision for hosting visits as part of the event;

(i)        notes that work with Bruce Katz will continue to drive forward the Innovation District;

(j)         further thanks the Centre for Cities for their support over the coming year on the Commission; and

(k)       agrees to send a letter to Mr Katz and Ms Kline on behalf of the Council thanking them for visiting the city and their contribution to Sheffield’s International Economic Commission.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Ian Auckland, seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (b) to (e) as follows, and the relettering of original paragraphs (b) to (k) as new paragraphs (f) to (o):-

(b)       welcomes the support of the Coalition Government and in particular the Secretary of State for Business, Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, in enabling these developments to take place;

(c)       welcomes the fact that Sheffield is at the heart of a City Region reflective of our economic geography;

(d)       believes that City Regions will represent the future basis of devolved funding from central government;

(e)       notes that as a result of the Sheffield City Region Growth Deal the target is to establish approximately 30,000 more highly skilled jobs to create a more prosperous economy;

On being put to the vote, the amendment as negatived.

Following a Right of Reply by Councillor Leigh Bramall, the original Motion was the put to the vote and carried, as follows: