Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th December 2019

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 18^th December 2019 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Further to minute 28/19 headed ‘Trees and Development Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document’, in respect of recommendation 3. 1) that requested that the Cabinet Member give consideration to the responsibility for forestry matters being co-ordinated by one Cabinet Member given the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, Councillor Duggins informed the Board that the current portfolio arrangements had been endorsed by Council at their Annual General Meeting in May 2019 and if he were re-elected as the Leader of the Council for 2020/2021 he would review all Cabinet Member portfolios.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a briefing note and presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) detailing the support the Council provides to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the role of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP). In addition, it provided an update on how the business support service had progressed since the previous year, including how under-represented groups accessed the various business support initiatives. Councillor O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration attended the meeting for consideration of this item.

There were many opportunities in emerging markets such as Asia and the Middle East, in addition to opportunities following Brexit.  However, SMEs were restricted by the lack of capacity, time and resources to invest in exporting. The Briefing Note provided information on how the Council can support SME’s to make the most of these opportunities.

Coventry’s SME business community played an integral role in the local economy, both in terms of wealth creation and for the number of people employed. There were nearly 10,000 SMEs in Coventry, creating significant employment opportunities and contributing to local business rates. It was therefore vital that SMEs were given the best chance of succeeding through the support available from the Council and Partner organisations such as the CWLEP and the Chamber of Commerce.

The level of support offered depended on the need of businesses and could involve advice on access to grants/loans, new start-up support, skills support or lobbying government to develop policy or access funding. The Council had entered into a Service Level Agreement with the Growth Hub which would engage with 300 new business per year, complete 120 comprehensive business assists and help them to create almost 400 new jobs. Their initial diagnostic on a business helped to filter the appropriate business support to Partner organisations such as the Council, Universities, Chamber, Princes Trust, etc.

Through the EDS-managed Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth Programme a total of 59 SMEs had been supported to train over 249 employees in 2019. Additionally, Social Value work around the planning process was now being recognised by contractors and developers who were active in the city.  The Authority’s ‘One Coventry’ approach ensured that developments underway in the city employed local people and apprentices, engaged with local communities and schools, utilised the local supply chain, upskilled the local workforce and cared for the environment. As a result, the Council were now actively working with approximately ten contractors who were engaging with Partners across the city.

EDS were currently managing three European Regional Development (ERDF) business Support Programmes valued at £11.9 million in ERDF funding - Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support, Innovation, and Green Business Programmes. All three support programmes were targeted at addressing barriers to growth and innovation within local SMEs and provided an offer of bespoke one-to-one support and seminars/networking opportunities to tackle challenges and opportunities, as well as a total of £4.75 million in business grants up until December 2021. Within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that submitted a presentation of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Executive, Martin Yardley, Chief Executive, and Paula Deas, Operations Director. The presentation set out the Annual Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Review for 2019, covering the Performance Assessment 2018 and 2019, as well as information about key strategic projects. Councillor O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, attended the meeting for consideration of this item.

The presentation indicated that Coventry & Warwickshire was the fastest growing LEP area economy in England since 2009 it had: a Strong Performing Economy - real GVA increase of 33.4% between 2008/09 and 2016/17 and it was the largest exporting area outside London (two thirds West Mids. exports); it had a growing business base – 37,045 businesses in 2018 (29,840 in 2010); In innovation it was a key enabler - Coventry had the 2nd highest patents per head of English cities (113/110k); it had an inward investment track record -

46 Foreign Direct Investment projects in 2018/19, realising 2,965 jobs; on Strategic Leadership and Influence - CWLEP ambition to engage and influence national and regional policy through specific projects or investments and the WMCA LIS was regarded as exceptional.

Coventry and Warwickshire Headline Economic Performance included: GVA £26 billion up 51.5%% from 2010 to 2018; productivity - £53,359 GVA per job up 28.3% since 2010; employment rate - 76.3% up 5.8% since 2014; average wage - £30,3581 up 12.6% since 2014; qualifications - 38.2% NVQ level 4 or higher (degree level); no qualifications - 9% of 16-64 year olds have no qualifications, this had fallen at a rate of 21.7% since 2014.

CWLEP Annual Performance Assessment 2018 and 2019 indicated that: it was the fastest growing LEP area since 2010 and was placed as one of the top 3 performing LEPs across whole country achieved through hard work of the LEP Board Directors and Business Groups; over £300m had been secured into the area over the last 7 years adding strategic value to deliver stronger more ambitious plans; it had a reputation and track record for delivery on high profile and complex projects; and it had strong governance and committed CWLEP Executive team underpinning the operation of the CWLEP Board, CWLEP Growth Hub and CWLEP Place Board.

The Scrutiny Board noted that funded by the local growth fund allocation through CWLEP:

·  £131.8m growth deal funding had been secured – expected over the next 5 years to create 7,500 jobs, 3,400 new homes, and £240m for investment

·  £67.9m had been secured and allocated for Coventry – expected by 2021 to create 1,352 new jobs and apprenticeships, 10,187 indirect jobs, 2,946 new homes; 1,045metres of new skill space, £6.8m for private investment, and 944,672metres of commercial space.

·  Very Light Rail - £2.46m growth deal funding secured for very light rail.

·  WMG Apprenticeship Centre - £10m secured towards the newly opened Centre for tailored training courses in line with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that provided details of Coventry City Council exhibiting at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress 2019 in Singapore. Councillor O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration attended the meeting for consideration of this item.

ITS World Congress was the world’s foremost trade show for Intelligent Transport Systems, Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) and Future Mobility, all of which were strategically placed and at the forefront of Economic Development for Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands. The Congress presented an opportunity for Coventry and Warwickshire to exhibit on the UK pavilion, along with universities and supporting agencies to exhibit at the Congress in Singapore, collaboratively with Coventry University promoting Coventry’s existing skills, services and assets within this industry to a new international market reaching a worldwide audience.

The reasons and benefits for the trip were stated as:

•  An opportunity to promote C&W’s capabilities and desirable location to live, work and invest at an exhibition with global presence from companies from around the world.

•  Put Coventry on the map, whilst highlighting key sectors, businesses, services and our world-renowned universities.

•  Opportunity to meet/visit other international pavilions, academia and industry from other countries to discuss autonomous vehicles and future technologies, challenges and achievements, potentially generating new connections and FDI projects for our pipeline.

•  Gather intelligence, meet relevant contacts and build relationships with keys partners and organisations to support any potential bids to bring the ITS World Congress to the UK.

•  Opportunity to meet global leaders and decision makers 

The visit had:

·  Strengthened and established new working relationships with Singapore and Coventry through networking and dialogue with Enterprise Singapore, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Department for International trade and Intelligent Transport Systems UK.

·  Provided access to key players in supporting future visits and inward investment and trade opportunities.

·  Offered valuable access to companies and decision makers within Singapore Government for future trade and investment opportunities/enquiries including contact made through Coventry University with Singapore Land Transport Authority Deputy Director (Innovation).

·  Introduced Coventry to a new global international audience promoting our strategic goals.

·  Exposed and put C&W on the map as a key investment destination.

·  Provided a clear insight into how companies from varying countries showcase their technologies and innovation through stand designs and equipment to facilitate and generate investment promotion.

·  Invaluable lessons learnt in terms of organising and hosting any future events.

·  Provided direct outcomes and also indirect outcomes, alongside key engagements, successes and potential future outcomes across C&W which could be attributed to the increased promotion and presence within the international arena.

The Board thanked the officer for a comprehensive report and its positive outcomes and future proposals. They noted that arrangements had already been made for the hosting of the Congress at venues across the world each year until 2023 and that the Council aspired to host the event at the National Exhibition Centre in 2024. The Board gave their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered the Work Programme for current municipal year and noted the scheduling of issues for consideration at future meetings of the Board.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) notes the Work Programme for 2019/2020.

There were no other items of public business.

Note: The Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration referred to the announcement that the Coventry IKEA Store would be closing in Summer 2020. He confirmed that the Council’s priority was to support the company and its employees whilst it progressed with the closure. Although IKEA would need to implement their company redundancy process, the Authority would ensure that the Job Shop were on hand to support employees at the appropriate time.

He gave a clear direction that the future of the premises, which was not a consideration at this stage, would not include its use for student accommodation.