Agenda item

a)  Skills Strategy

b)  Economic Development Strategy 

Briefing note of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy, which provided an update on progress achieved since the Strategies were adopted.

a)  Skills Strategy

The Board received a presentation introduced by the Cabinet for Education and Skills, that supported the progress detailed in the report, highlighting the three Strategic Ambitions, the shared goals with the Economic Development Strategy and the eight priority areas. The presentation also highlighted key activity and achievements to date, as well as key current activity for 2024-25

In considering the report and a presentation by officers, the Board asked questions and received responses on matters in the following areas:

·  Detail on Universal Credit claimants in work in Coventry compared to the West Midlands Combined Authority members, and other local authorities in the wider region.

·  Details on the Gatsby benchmarking measures for schools careers advice.

·  The Danish model of job rotation being piloted, and how it could create progression opportunities within an organisation.

·  What work had been done and strategies being planned to retain graduates in the city, including better data collection, work with the universities and marketing the city better.

·  How the wider offer from the city, including housing, perception of safety and entertainment offer was also important in retaining graduates in the city, as well as career opportunities.

·  How Coventry compared better with other cities in the West Midlands for NEET data as well as nationally.

·  Partnership work with employers through the job shop to showcase opportunities

·  The opportunities and risks offered by AI and work being done to maximise skills in this area.

·  Access to benchmarking data to track progress over time.

b)  Economic Development Strategy

The Board received a presentation introduced by the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Climate Change, that supported the progress detailed in the report, highlighting the eight priorities, as well as work being delivered on business support and net zero, foreign direct investment, the Investment Zone identified on the outskirts of Coventry, and work to maximise the social value from key development projects in the city.

In considering the report and a presentation by officers, the Board asked questions and received responses on matters in the following areas:

• That the energy efficiency audits for businesses, includes retail, but not student accommodation.
• Whether the social value work is included as part of the Council resolution to include care experienced as a protected.
• The work with partners to deliver and sign-post businesses for energy efficiency audits
• The potential to retain business rates from Green Power Park regionally as part of the Investment Zone
• The potential for the Health Determinants Research Collaborative to identify what works in reducing health inequalities.
• The Coventry is good at spending grant allocations, benefitting from others underspend
• Whether higher level apprenticeships are being taken up by Coventry students.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):

1)  Agree the recommendations in the report.

2)  Agree that a further progress report be added to the work programme for 2025/26, which will detail progress against benchmarks, as well as work delivered to retain graduates in the city.