Purpose

To present the proposal to develop an
Innovation Hub facility at the internationally significant
Samlesbury Enterprise Zone following an allocation of £6m
Devolution Capital Funding as part of the broader £20m
Lancashire Combined County Authority allocation by government for a
series of projects across Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with
Darwen.
 
The Innovation Hub, with current costs
estimated at circa £13.2m, will enhance the cyber sector
cluster, link employment opportunities to Lancashire residents and
businesses working with National Cyber Force and its wider
supply-chain.
 
The report also provides an update on a range
of key workstreams facilitating the delivery of the Enterprise Zone
including, progress made on the broader site preparation programme,
the commercial master planning of Zone A to complement the proposed
Innovation Hub, the securing of an updated Local Development Order
and of the future marketing strategy. 
 
This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the
requirements of the council's Cabinet procedure rules (Standing
Order C18, Consideration of Key Decisions) have been complied
with.

Content

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as
set out in the report.