Angela Blake, Service Director for Economy and
Skills gave a presentation setting out details in relation to the
development of the Kirklees Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). The
presentation initially highlighted the impact of Covid-19 in
Kirklees which included statistics in respect of employment and the
increase in benefit claims in the region.
With regard to the objectives of the Plan the
following information was set out highlighting the means of
supporting economic recovery through:
•
Collective investment, procurement and
recruitment decisions; use of key property and other
assets;
•
Funding and support for business
resilience and growth; and
•
Helping to mitigate the economic impacts
of the virus on our most vulnerable residents.
It was further reported that The ERP will:
•
Be intelligence-led, driven by emerging
evidence on local economic impacts and needs;
•
Integrate business and infrastructure
investments with interventions to support vulnerable people and
achieve inclusive growth; and,
•
Balance support for sectors with the
potential to deliver growth during the recovery and those that need
to strengthen their resilience.
The Council
will create a £40m Economic Recovery Fund by:
·
Repurposing our Property Investment Fund
and Start Up and Retention Fund
·
Prioritising other capital investments
that will directly support the recovery.
·
Continued recourse to funding form
Government, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority/Leeds City Region
LEP and other sources
The presentation set out existing and new
initiatives aimed at supporting business growth, people skills and
employment as well as providing information in respect of climate
change issues and the green environment.
Questions and comments were invited from Panel Members and the
following issues were raised:
- Councillor Bolt highlighted the need
for the green economy and active travel initiatives to be at the
forefront of the recovery plan and referred to the need to be more
proactive with regard to cycling schemes and community asset
transfers to community groups. Councillor Mather explained that the
plan was a draft, fluid document that was aligned with existing
blueprints and the local plan. With regard to active travel
measures it was reported that this was being done on a phased basis
to support regeneration and an assurance was given active travel
was vitally important.
- Councillor Taylor
expressed concern with regard to plans to re-purpose and re-profile
the Capital Programme and referred to the implications for the
medium term financial plan with regard to planned returns on
investments.
- Councillor Taylor highlighted the issue of potential falling
rolls at University and the impact for Huddersfield with regard to
student accommodation and the student economy. Concerns were also
raised in relation to excess office accommodation as a result of
the pandemic and the financial implications of this in terms of
rental income. Councillor McBride acknowledged the changing nature
of office work, which will need to be taken into account as town
centre schemes develop and gave an assurance that the
reconfiguration and redevelopment of town centres across Kirklees
will continue despite the pandemic.
- In response to a
question concerning White Rose Forest, Councillor Walker
acknowledged the importance of engaging with local ward
Councillors.
- Councillor Taylor
stressed the importance of a Transport Strategy for Kirklees, which
includes reference to strategic linkages north/south as well as
east/west.
- Eilidh Ogden
highlighted that in order to understand the impacts from the
pandemic, detailed data and evidence relating to the impact on
particular locations, industries and skills. This will ensure that
support and investment is targeted effectively.
- In response to a
question from Councillor Murgatroyd concerning a co-operative
development agency it was reported that the issue was captured
within the West Yorkshire Recovery Plan.
- With regard to the
passive house standard of housing development, it was explained
that a consultant was being commissioned develop a pilot scheme
that would test the environmental principles associated with
passive house. Andrew Bird, co-opted member, highlighted the
importance of the need for green skills for young people to enable
to construction of environmentally efficient housing.
- Councillor Eastwood
stressed the importance of getting business support information to local businesses effectively and
also the importance of liaising with businesses in respect of plans
for active travel initiatives
- Andrew Bird commented
that any re-profiling of capital spend should recognise the
importance of linking in with the local workforce and maximise
spending within the local economy.
- Councillor Mather
highlighted that young people are at the centre of plans for
economic recovery and stressed the importance of working in
partnership to ensure skill levels are developed to the benefit of
the local economy.
RESOLVED –
1. That the Panel highlight
the importance of emphasising community wealth building as part of
the economic recovery plan.
2. That detailed, evidenced modelling continue to be
undertaken on particular locations, industries and skills to ensure
that support and investment is targeted effectively.
3. That the Panel recognises
the importance of new green opportunities with regard to the build
environment and supports the continued development of green skills
training for the local workforce.