Agenda item

To receive an update from the Chief Officer (Economy and Skills) on the progress the city has made in delivering inclusive growth since the publication of the city’s second Inclusive Growth Strategy in September 2023.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Jonathan Pryor (Executive Member, Economy, Transport & Sustainable Development)

·  Fiona Bolam (Chief Officer, Economy and Skills)

The Chair introduced the paper, noting that it provides an update on progress in delivering Inclusive Growth in Leeds since the publication of the city’s second Inclusive Growth Strategy in September 2023.

She particularly welcomed the partnership approach to Inclusive Growth in Leeds, as was evident at the Inclusive Growth Partnership event she attended in July.

Cllr Bithell noted that the main measurement tool for inclusive growth is the Social Progress Index. She put on record the thanks of the Scrutiny Board to Fiona Bolam and Graham Ponton who delivered a training session on the SPI to scrutiny members last month.

Cllr Pryor described the update as an exciting piece of work that reflects a joint vision for economic growth amongst partners in Leeds. He highlighted that the Council became the first local authority to achieve an outstanding Ofsted judgement for its Adult Learning and Employer Provider Apprenticeship programmes. Other highlights from the last year include the expansion of Leeds PIPES network and the impact of an expanded UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).

Fiona delivered a presentation on inclusive growth in Leeds, which covered the following areas:

-  National Policy Context

-  West Yorkshire local Growth Plan

-  Inclusive Growth Strategy

-  Leeds Anchors

-  Next steps

In response to member queries, it was noted that the paper was written prior to the Government’s very recent budget announcement and as such an assessment of the potential impact of local growth is not available. 

Fiona advised members that knowledge-based sectors in Leeds are a key feature of the regional economy. She highlighted digital, health, and tech sectors as significant drivers of local economic growth, along with finance and professional services.

Fiona was invited to provide further clarity about comparisons with equivalent European cities and a reduction in the overall Social Progress Index score between 2018 - 2022. She advised the Scrutiny Board that she would provide more information about the comparative with European cities outside of the meeting. However, she noted that European cities do tend to score better than their UK counterparts. Skills, productivity, and transport connectivity are all drivers of that disparity.

Members welcomed the positive activity set out in the report including work with the Anchor network, the delivery of careers fairs, the roll out of HomesFirst and progress in relation to the delivery of new homes.  Members also recognised the increased focus on education and employment opportunities for children within the SEND cohort. 

Further information was requested with regards to the options for post-16 education outside of the city centre. Fiona agreed to reflect member concerns in joint discussions with colleagues from Children and Families.

Fiona confirmed that the Council has worked with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to invest in digital infrastructure in the city with a view to encouraging further private sector investment in the network.

Members received assurances that very early discussion are taking place with Microsoft about the potential for a heat network linked to a new hyperscale datacentre on the former Skelton Grange Power Station Site.

In response to member queries further information was provided about community listening exercises taking place in association with the Good Jobs, Better Health, Fairer Futures project (2021-2024).

Members sought further information about how to maximise the benefits of national institutions such as the National Wealth Fund locating in Leeds.

Clarity was sought in relation to the Gross Value Added (GVA) within the regional economy being lower than the national average per person.

Other matters addressed by the Scrutiny Board included:

-  Access to work experience

-  Ways in which to remove barriers to work through targeted skills tuition.

-  Feedback from exhibitors attending the SEND careers fair

-  The impact on the health sector if the proposed Leeds General Infirmary re-build does not take place.

-  An update on plans to develop the British Library North and National Poetry Centre in Leeds.

RESOLVED:

Members noted that a One Year On report to Executive Board setting out progress on the delivery of Inclusive Growth was also published in November.

Members note progress made in delivering our collective ambitions set out in

the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy.

The Scrutiny Board Chair committed to write to the Chief Officer and Executive Board member on behalf of the Scrutiny Board to formally endorse the approach to the inclusive growth programme, with specific reference to the following issues:

-  The need to deliver improved infrastructure – including transport connectivity – to drive future economic growth locally.

-  Support for increased skills tuition and education for young people in Leeds post-16.

-  Support for the expansion of work with the Anchor network and a request for a further update on this activity to be provided in future reports.