Agenda item

A report was submitted to provide the Board with an update on progress for the delivery work on the Renewal Action Plan and an opportunity for Members to discuss and provide input and direction on any specific areas of work.  Appendices attached to the report set out the high level delivery framework document, setting out progress to date.

The Board was reminded that the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Renewal Action Plan (RAP) had been agreed in response to the immediate need brought about by the Covid-19 crisis with a longer term view to support ongoing recovery and dovetail into developing a more resilient economy.

The RAP focuses upon three main areas of action, People, Employers and Place. 

The Employer area of the RAP had identified a number of themes for development and implementation, these included:

1.            Flexible Investment and Re-capitalisation

2.            Access to Specialist Advice

3.            Supply Chain and Procurement Support

4.            Leadership Support

5.            Digital Upskilling and Technology Adoption

The development of delivery interventions under the Employer section of the RAP, were scheduled to be delivered within the next 12 to 18 months and focussed primarily on immediate relief to employers and businesses.

A Task and Finish Group for each of the above five areas had been implemented and involved Members from the four local authorities and also the LEP, along with external representation being invited to provide advice and support to each Group, including Chambers of Commerce etc. 

It was noted that, each Task Group was reporting into a wider Delivery Group for discussion and agreement, which collectively had been working to identify the most immediate priorities with a resulting proposal developed around four priority areas.  

D Grimes delivered a presentation which provided the Board with a consolidated version of the key priority areas contained in the Employer area of the RAP. 

The presentation set out the ongoing discussions and developments taking place around each priority area, the target number of business expected to be supported and the expected number of business (from currently identified initiatives). 

It was agreed that the presentation be sent to Board Members after today’s meeting.  ACTION: D Grimes

Councillor Mordue queried if there should be a further priority included within the employer area of the RAP around both physical and mental health. 

D Grimes acknowledged Councillor Mordue’s comment and agreed to raise internally and with the implementation Group.  ACTION: D Grimes

The Board was informed that each Local Authority had been consulted on the priority areas contained in the RAP. 

It was noted that a first draft of the Delivery Plan would be presented at the next Business Growth Board in October for review and sign off. A consolidated position would then be presented to the LEP and MCA in November. 

The Chair requested that an additional meeting of the Board be held at the beginning of October to allow Members to consider the first draft of the Delivery Plan.  ACTION: E Hickey

D Grimes reported that, at the Task Group meeting held on 2nd September, there had been a discussion around the potential inclusion of the EU Exit in the RAP.  The Board was asked to provide any comments. 

The Board agreed to the inclusion of the EU Exit, highlighting that, businesses would need to be supported in the next 12 to 18 months due to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the EU Exit.  The Board noted that there would need to be flexibility built into RAP due to availability of resources and potential demand. 

RESOLVED – That the Business Growth Board:-

Discussed and explored the progress made to date from the update and provided input and thoughts on direction and content.