Agenda item

A report by the Economic Development Manager

The Committee considered an update on progress in delivering the strategic themes of the Economic Development Action Plan 2017/18, which was aligned to the Prosperity priority within the Council Plan 2016/17 – 2019/20.

The Economic Development Manager went through the report.  At the meeting of 23^rd November, in response to the adopted Council Plan, the Council was working to develop an economic framework that aligned to and underpinned the Prosperity priority creating a ‘check and balance’ through a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) system that would deliver open for business outputs and outcomes over the lifetime of the Council Plan.

The Growth Themes, detailed in the report, were designed to focus and contribute to the aims and objectives of the Council Plan and also help deliver on the identified jobs growth within the emerging South East Lincolnshire Local Plan. 

The five themes were:

1.    To promote and support inward investment into the borough

2.    To support business development & growth of new and existing businesses

3.    To support employability skills initiatives

4.    To foster start ups and nurturing entrepreneurs, and

5.    To encourage green innovation and infrastructure

The rolling Action Plan, appended to the report, was designed to be a fluid document but give direction of travel and would be subject to annual review to ensure that it remained responsive, appropriate and up-to-date.

The Action Plan headings replicated those within the Council Plan and provided that golden thread and the actions beneath gave the flexibility for the Council to engage partners to help deliver the Council Plan and take into account any collated data or information obtained by the Council through questionnaires, surveys or consultations.

Taking an annual ‘Health of the Economy’ survey would be one of the barometers that would be taken into account when developing further updates and admissions to future plans.

Results from the recent survey suggested that the Council was not too far away with its themes; however, the meaning of business support was changing and funding or financial support was no longer top of the list.

The survey results showed that 46% of businesses considered that they had performed a little stronger over the last 12 months compared to the previous 12 months; and 40% considered they would do so over the next 12 months.  46 % of respondents indicated that accessing finance might have less of an impact on business growth.  Of those who responded, 27%, found the supervisory and middle management roles the most difficult to recruit to.

The top issues identified as having the greatest impact on business were:

·         25% - support to access a suitable workforce

·         25% - improved road infrastructure

·         15% - help to access suitable funding

·         13% - improved digital infrastructure

Members raised various issues and the Economic Development Manager responded as follows.

Businesses could apply directly for funding from the Council’s funding partners.  This information was available on the website and social media, and the Economic Development Manager also contacted businesses with the information.

Theme 3, to support employability skills initiatives, referred to offering young people improved aspirations, increased wage levels and alternative career paths.  It was aimed to achieve this by working with education providers and businesses on up-skilling workforces in order to encourage increased levels of skills.

With respect to the infrastructure needed to support the increase in homes and jobs, particularly in terms of transport and health services, it was very much a partnership ethos.  It involved working closely with Lincolnshire County Council and the utilities, as well as building relationships with Openreach for Super Fast Broad Band, working with partners to address the need for physical buildings and working closely on the Local Plan for employment space.  The Business Centre would be utilised in a better way to create and nurture businesses.  Officers were examining transport issues and options were being considered, such as developing business parks outside the town.

With respect to the need to encourage inward investment, a key strength identified in the business survey was working with schools, colleges and the university to build a mass of employable people.  Some businesses looked for infrastructure, which related to the Local Plan, but more immediately it was important to work with these education centres to raise aspirations and bring supply chains in.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) was a Government body that reached across continents and supported international investment opportunities.  The Economic Development Manager was closely working with the DIT and with commercial agents in order to understand the benefits and demographic, and look to support businesses with guidance and help with the transition.  A range of officers offered assistance to businesses – planning, business support, and business champions’ network, for example – and the area was attractive in terms of retail offer, schools and further education etc.

The Council did not have a marketing pack containing key messages at present, but a marketing campaign – Starting, Growing, Investing – was being developed, which was gaining ground and attracting respect.  Fact sheets, case studies and more user-friendly websites were being developed.

The Economic Development Manager was asked if businesses had reported any recruitment and labour difficulties at present.  Some had reported a concern for the future, but there was some comfort that businesses had the people they needed at the present time.  It was not known what the impact of Brexit would be, but currently some migrant workers were leaving and others were coming in.  From discussions, some businesses seemed confident that they would secure the workforce they needed.  There was a need to work closely with the business community regarding their position post-Brexit.  When the Government gave them a steer they would speak to businesses about their direction and how they could help alleviate pressures, such as supply chains.

Approaches had been made to attract national retail businesses, but current vacant sites were not suitable for larger retailers and their merchandising models/floor plans and have limited scope for redevelopment due to their listed building status.  However, monthly meetings were held with commercial agents to complement and support their work.

The Visit Boston website was still being developed.  It was considered best to retain the website purely for Visit Boston and set up a separate business website based around the three core principles of Starting, Growing, Investing and it was planned to build a site in November.  The domain name Think Boston, Think Business had been purchased and it was consistent with Visit Boston.  The two sites would be cross referenced as tourism affected economic development and inward investors wanted to know what offer was available.  They had not yet looked at business marketing on the website, but would consider it.

[Councillor Sue Ransome left the meeting at 7.05 pm]

The Economic Development Manager was thanked for his work and achievements over the 12 months since he was engaged, and for showing clearly the steps being taken.  In particular, marketing was commended; it was more corporate and the message that Boston was open for business was being promoted clearly, as this was essential it was promoted within and outside of the borough.  Thanks were also expressed for the work of the Corporate Management Team.