Agenda item

The meeting received a report and presentation to provide Members with an understanding of the evidence base and the emerging narrative for the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and Local Industrial Strategy (LIS).

It was noted the strategic report is currently in a draft format, and is being presented at this stage to stimulate discussion and objection, prior to informing ongoing discussion on the emerging evidence base, which itself will inform the next stage of development of priorities for the economic plan.

Evidence was therefore presented in support of what the SCR should emphasise within the SEP, the importance of productivity as a primary indicator of future economic success.

Regarding trend data, members noted discrepancies in the SCR’s historic productivity trend and considered what the contributory reasons may be behind these trends. It was acknowledged these discrepancies are not necessarily reflected in the trend data of other indices.

It was suggested an ambition based on productivity can’t necessarily be at the risk of lower employment levels, and proposed that ‘jobs for everyone’ must also remain an ambition of the SCR.

The presentation provided evidence in relation to the various contributory factors and levers that affect the region’s levels of productivity (presented with reference to the SCR’ 5 substantive development themes).

The Board acknowledged and discussed the relationship between education and skills attainment and productivity.

Consideration was given to skills development and whether more could be done to improve rates of employer participation in the skills sector.

Regarding the SCR’s currently high levels of low skills jobs, it was suggested these jobs are at the highest risk of being lost through automation and digitalisation.

Consideration was given to the importance of the need to identify future employment demand, and future growth sectors, and where it would be in the best interests of the SCR districts to act collectively on matters.

It was suggested that despite decades of investment, the SCR is still somewhat beset with cyclically lower than average levels of expectations, attainment and consequently dissatisfaction. Members considered how this cycle might be broken. The Chair provided thoughts on how this might be achieved, including the need to act as a collective voice when negotiating with government, having a real transformational plan, and the attraction of significantly higher levels of investment.

It was questioned whether changing demographics, including the aging nature of some sector’s skills forces, and also the inward migration of workers from other areas have been factored into the future plan development work and confirmed this is the case. It was also suggested that some of the issues being experienced by the SCR are national issues and therefore require tackling in a different way. It was noted work is ongoing with neighbouring LEP areas to identify where issues would be best addressed across a wider economic geography.

Members voiced general support for the evidence, analysis and outline conclusions presented.

It was acknowledged there are a number of supply and demand related choices to consider going forward which will help us determine what actions need to be taken to help shape what we want the SCR’s future economic geography to look like.

The Board was provided with a timeline for the development of the SEP and LIS, noting this will culminate with the intended publication of both documents in December 2019.

RESOLVED, that the LEP Board notes the emerging evidence base underpinning the SEP and LIS and agrees the need to develop key messages to shape the development of these strategies going forward