Supplementary Agenda of Governance Committee Meeting

Item No. 12

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

Governance Committee Meeting

Page 4

28/3/2017

REPORT TITLE: Going Global 2017 Conference, London - 22-24 May 2017

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Group Manager Executive & Economic Development

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to seek approval and Aldermanic nomination for the proposed Going Global 2017 Conference in London from 22–24 May 2017, and a study tour to visit exemplar university cities in the United Kingdom and Europe prior to attending the conference.

2. Report Summary

2.1. Building on the successful delegation to the UniverCities Conference – Budapest and study tour last November, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen, of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) has invited the Lord Mayor to accompany him to continue to explore exemplar university cities prior to attending the Going Global 2017 Conference in London, 22-24 May 2017.

2.2. On balance, this report suggests the invitation is worthy of consideration given that UTAS has a clear desire to move into the inner city.

2.3. This move overtime will have impacts on the inner city in a range of areas and it is critical that the Council take positive steps to understand what the effect of these impacts may be.

2.4. Examining how other cities have dealt with these issues is an important source of information for the Council.

2.5. The estimated cost of full attendance at the conference, business class airfares and seven nights accommodation will be approximately $13,733 per person plus travel allowance and incidental costs. These costs are subject to change depending on the final itinerary for the proposed study tour.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council consider the City of Hobart’s participation in the ‘Going Global Conference’ in London from 22–24 May 2017, and a study tour to visit exemplar university cities in the United Kingdom and Europe prior to attending the conference.

2. Aldermanic nominations be invited.

3. The Council approve the participation the General Manager and / or his nominee(s).

4. The estimated cost of $13,733 per Alderman be attributed to the general Aldermanic conferences allocation in the City Government Function and the Economic Development Function of the 2016/2017 Annual Plan.

4. Background

A delegation consisting of Council and University of Tasmania representatives attended the UniverCities Conference in Budapest and subsequent study tour of Freiburg, Bristol and Cambridge last November. A report on the outcome of this tour was presented to the Council on 6 February 2017 and the following resolution adopted:

That: 1. The Council participate in regular meetings with the University Council and pursue an amendment to the existing memorandum of understanding with the University of Tasmania that seeks to strengthen the strategic relationship between the parties and focus on:

a) Joint research initiatives, including the socio-economic impacts of the University’s move into the City and the movement of people in and around the City;

b) Public realm improvements, and;

c) City activation.

2. The development of the new vision for the City of Hobart involve extensive consultation with the University of Tasmania as well as other key stakeholders and acknowledge the importance of higher education in the City.

3. When contemplating a possible City Deal for the Greater Hobart region, the following be taken into consideration:

(i) The City Deal be well thought through and recognise what it is hoping to achieve; identify the issues it is seeking to address; is well resourced with appropriate, qualified staff; has a strong leadership structure and appropriate communication and PR support, and involve regional cooperation as well as commitment from the State and Australian Governments.

4. The Council pursue a submission to the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program to gather data to assist the community with travel to work information, address congestion and improve the wider movement of people in the City.

5. A further report be provided to investigate extending an invitation to Gehl Architects to visit the City for the purposes of reviewing the urban transformation work the City has done to date and to provide a public lecture.

6. On receipt of the details of European Union’s ‘Twin Cities Urban Sustainability’ project that a further report be prepared for the Council that considers the cost benefit of the project and identifies potential partner cities, including Freiburg, with whom the Council may partner.

7. A visual presentation of the city design learnings from Bristol and Freiburg be provided to the Council, in conjunction with the University of Tasmania

(i) The Governor of Tasmania, or her delegate, be invited to attend the presentation.

8. The General Manager be delegated the authority to reimburse appropriate officer travel expenses incurred in attending the UniverCities Conference and Study Tour.

4.1. Building on the success of this delegation the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen, of the University of Tasmania has invited the Lord Mayor to accompany him to explore exemplar university cities prior to attending the Going Global 2017 Conference in London, 22-24 May 2017 (refer Attachment A).

4.1.1. Whilst the letter is addressed to the Lord Mayor the invitation is open to all Aldermen.

4.1.2. The Going Global annual conference is run by the British Council, which offers an open forum to explore how universities support city-regional economies and social and civic engagement, connect the word’s cities to global knowledge and talent and address global challenges.

4.1.3. Going Global 2017 explores how universities and colleges support city-regional economies and social and civic engagement, connecting the world's cities to global knowledge and talent and addressing global challenges (refer Attachment B)

The website for the conference (https://www.britishcouncil.org/going-global) notes:

We live in an era characterized by both globalisation and urbanisation with more than half of the world’s people living in cities and towns. Universities and colleges are the global connectors among the world’s fast-evolving knowledge economies and cities are the beating hearts of innovation. This urban-global age provides tertiary education institutions with unprecedented opportunities to mobilise their expertise, prepare young people for the future and drive forward research and policy agendas at the city, national and global levels. Yet the urban-global age also poses challenges for universities and colleges and the cities and towns of which they are a part, not least because of the changing nature and locations of tertiary education delivery.

‘Going Global 2017’ explores how universities and colleges support city-regional economies and social and civic engagement, connecting the world’s cities to global knowledge and talent and addressing global challenges.

4.1.4. It is proposed that delegates arrive in Europe mid-May and return to Australia on or about 24 May 2017.

4.1.5. The intent would be to visit exemplar university cities prior to attending the conference to experience first-hand the social, cultural and economic aspects of university-led revitalisation.

4.1.5.1. It is noted that the Cambridge City Deal has brought the civic side of town and the university together to face particular challenges to ensure economic revitalisation, with Cambridgeshire now one of the UK’s top three growing economies.

4.2. Clearly it is an unusual scenario for the Council to consider further international travel unrelated to a sister/friendship city visit, however the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) proposal is a unique opportunity for the city and in supporting the proposal it is incumbent upon the Council to ensure it fully understands the relationship of universities and their cities.

Furthermore Aldermen would be aware that Infrastructure Australia has added the STEM proposal to the nation’s Infrastructure Priority List.

This is the first time an education project has made it onto the Infrastructure Priority List and therefore increases the probability that federal funding may become available.

As a result the Vice-Chancellor is keen to facilitate the Council’s continued understanding of Univercities by providing such opportunities as the one attached.

4.3. The invitation by the Vice-Chancellor was extended to further explore how the University of Tasmania along with the City of Hobart, the Launceston City Council and the Burnie City Council can work on a strategy to drive socioeconomic outcomes for the whole state through a shared commitment to invest in human capital and innovation.

4.3.1. A similar invitation has also been extended to the Mayors of the Launceston City Council and the Burnie City Council.

4.4. The suggestion to travel to Europe is not taken lightly by UTAS and no differently to the Council, it must be accountable for the expenditure of its funds.

4.5. In considering whether to participate in the conference and the study tour the Council must ask itself the relevance of both activities.

4.6. Should the Council accept the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor and participate in both the conference and the study tour UTAS are requesting Council input into the itinerary for the proposed visit.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that the Council accept the invitation of the Vice Chancellor and participate in both the conference and the study tour.

5.2. It is proposed that Aldermanic nomination be sought.

5.3. The estimated costs based on full attendance at the conference, business class airfares and seven nights accommodation only are:

5.3.1. Going Global 2017 Conference standard 2.5 day fee £995, estimated $1,633.

5.3.2. Business class airfares $10,000 per person.

5.3.3. Accommodation will likely be on average $300 per night for a possible seven nights totalling $2,100.

5.3.4. Therefore, for example the cost per Alderman based on full attendance at the conference, business class airfares and seven nights accommodation only will be approximately $13,733 per person plus travel allowance and incidental costs.

5.3.5. The final cost estimates is subject to change depending on the final itinerary for the proposed study tour.

5.4. As noted above, should the Council accept the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor and participate in both the conference and the study tour UTAS are requesting Council input into the itinerary for the proposed visit.

5.5. Should the Council approve participation, it is further proposed that the Council authorise the Lord Mayor to write to the Mayors of London and other relevant cities in preparation for the visit to maximise the opportunities for information exchange.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. Goal 1 of the 2015-2025 Strategic Plan, Economic Development, Vibrancy and Culture, states at Objective 1.1.2, Support the University of Tasmania’s continued growth within the City.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. Clause C2 of the Council’s policy titled Aldermanic Development and Support with regard to conference attendance, provides that:

The Council may approve the attendance of Aldermen at relevant conferences as representatives of the City, in the capacity as a delegate or conference presenter, subject to budget availability.

Particular conferences where Council representation may be considered appropriate may be brought to the notice of the Council by the General Manager or an individual Alderman.

When such conferences are listed on the relevant committee agenda for consideration of representation, the relevance of the conference to the City’s strategic objectives is to be addressed as part of the process.

7.1.2. As noted above, the estimated costs of full attendance at the conference, business class airfares and seven nights accommodation will be approximately $13,733 per person plus travel allowance and incidental costs. This is subject to change depending on the final itinerary of the study tour.

7.1.3. These costs are to be attributed to the general Aldermanic conferences allocation spread across both the City Government and the Economic Development Function of the 2016–17 Annual Plan.

7.1.3.1. The original budget allocation of $40,000 for Aldermanic conferences is almost exhausted; as such attendance at this conference would result in a budget variance being required.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. Nil

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Nil

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. None arise from this report.

9. Environmental Considerations

9.1. Air travel does bring with it considerations of pollution.

9.2. These can be offset to some degree by purchasing carbon offsets as part of the ticket.

10. Social and Customer Considerations

10.1. The continued growth of the University within the inner city clearly brings with it a range of social and community considerations. The Lord Mayor has written to the Vice-Chancellor to commence the joint research initiatives, including the socio-economic impact of the University’s move into the city and the movement of people in and around the City, therefore this study tour and conference could perform part of the socio-economic evidence base.

10.2. The purpose of this conference and study tour is to explore some of these and see how other cities deal with these issues.

10.3. While it may on balance be seen as a positive that UTAS wishes to expand within the inner city, there will be many matters of detail that may not be apparent until opportunities like the subject of this report are taken up and explored.

11. Marketing and Media

11.1. Any international travel undertaken by the Council is usually the subject of interest from the media.

11.2. It is incumbent upon the Council to demonstrate the value of such visits to the community.

11.3. It is proposed that the Lord Mayor be authorised to comment on the matter as required and to also suggest that the media seek comment from UTAS as to why it also views the conference as being relevant for the Council.

12. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

12.1. Other than the obvious engagement with UTAS none arise from this report.

13. Delegation

13.1. The matter is delegated to the Council.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Tim Short

Group Manager Executive & Economic Development

Date: 24 March 2017

File Reference: F17/30434

Attachment a: 14 March 2017 - Letter from the Vice-Chancellor to the Lord Mayor - Going Global 2017 Conference & study tour ⇩

Attachment b: Going Global Conference 2017 - 22-24 May 2017 ⇩