Decision details

For Executive Board to approve the proposed approach to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for the city of Leeds whilst continuing to deliver Inclusive Growth across the city.

The Director of City Development submitted a report presenting the Council’s proposed approach towards economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which set out background information on the pandemic and the city’s response, together with what was happening at a local level which aimed to continue to ensure economic recovery from the crisis whilst also continuing to deliver Inclusive Growth.

It was noted that an approach rather than a fixed plan was being proposed, with the aim of ensuring that this would enable the Council and the city to adapt quickly during this uncertain period, whilst striving to build more resilience into Leeds’ economy.  The 3 pillars underpinning the approach, namely, ‘Respond’, ‘Reset and Renew’ and ‘Build Resilience’ were highlighted together with an outline of the actions to be taken within those pillars.

Responding to a Member’s comments, the Board was provided with further detail regarding the actions which were being taken in order to help deliver support and economic recovery in the immediate and short term, whilst also looking towards the medium to longer term. 

In addition, a Member highlighted the importance of providing support not only in terms of the city centre economy but also in terms of more localised district centre economies.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the proposed Leeds Economic Recovery Framework, as appended to the submitted report, which complements the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy and which sets out the Council’s approach towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for the city of Leeds, be approved;

(b)  That it be noted that the Framework will be used as the foundation to begin a conversation with partners and stakeholders on how to recover and build resilience into the Leeds economy moving forwards;

(c)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for leading on this economic recovery approach is the Director of City Development.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began the Council has been engaging extensively with Government, local partners, Elected Members and the public to provide support to businesses and the people of Leeds. The Council has endeavoured to keep people up-to-date with developments and information as much as possible, for example the Economic Development team has produced a weekly economic briefing for Elected Members and MPs since lockdown restrictions began and they have also facilitated weekly calls with businesses and business representative groups across the city.

Government, local partners, Elected Members and the public, including weekly economic briefing for Elected Members and MPs since lockdown restrictions began and they have also facilitated weekly calls with businesses and business representative groups across the city.