Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr K Hawkins.

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

Cllrs Courts and Mackiewicz advised Members they were members of the Federation of Small Business (FSB).

To answer any questions, if any asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

None received.

To receive for information only the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 March 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023 were presented for information, including those in private.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023, including those in private be received for information.

Members were advised that the consultation on Solihull’s Economic Strategy 2023-2032 concluded on 15th March 2023. The report before Members provided an overview of the feedback received and Cabinet approval was sought to adopt the amended Strategy and the associated Delivery Plan.

The report also summarised the approach proposed for using the Borough’s business support allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and sought delegated authority for the Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to commission the business support elements of UKSPF.

Members were advised that the adoption of the Economic Strategy would provide a framework for assessing new opportunities, while the delivery plan set out how Solihull could work towards realising the vision set out in the strategy, while giving a clear indication to partners of how they can contribute to the continuing success of the Borough.

Officers took Members through the report and responded to questions. On commenting on the report Members made the following points:

Ø  It was important not to lose sight of local centres and the important role they play in communities;

Ø  Small business needed to be seen as important constituencies of the Borough’s economy;

Ø  15 Minute Neighbourhoods were an important component of the strategy for local communities;

Ø  It was important to highlight the benefits of lower carbon consumption for business, particularly from a resilience point of view;

Ø  Members stressed the importance of the delivery plan and the need to manage this appropriately, as the Council did not want to jeopardise any future devolved funding opportunities, due to a failure to deliver outputs. Officers confirmed that arrangements were in place;

Ø  The high unemployment levels for 18 to 24 year olds in the north of the borough was highlighted and it was important that the Strategy delivered for these young people. Officers recognised that this was a challenge. A key issue was accessibility, so the young people could get to the opportunities which had been created, Officers were optimistic that the strategy would be effective;

Ø  Members were pleased to see culture was included in the strategy and Officers went on to provide further detail on how this would be developed and monitored, including through a community level;

Ø  It was recognised that a good communication plan would help support the strategy;

Ø  With regard to the FSB, Members questioned whether there was more support they could offer small business for example employment law and HR;

Ø  A work force master plan would help match people to jobs and it was recognised that the approach was now focussed on what people can do, rather what they cannot do. It was also important not to overlook the opportunities in the health sector; and

Ø  Members liked references to the circular economy, but it was noted that an important objective was to generate wealth and retain wealth in communities and this was missing from the document, and this was important if lives were to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The meeting is likely not to be open to the public during discussion of the following items because the reports contain exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business to be transacted, on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information in terms of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the said Act.

To receive for information only the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 March 2023.