Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which sets out the work undertaken so far to develop a new Talent Plan for Leeds and which seeks approval of the proposed Future Talent Plan and delivery approach, including the vision and overarching action framework, as detailed at appendix 1, which sets out the high level action areas proposed to be used to shape the specific projects and initiatives of the Council and its partners.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented details of the work undertaken to date to develop a new Talent Plan for Leeds and which sought approval of the proposed Future Talent Plan and delivery approach, including the vision and overarching action framework, as detailed at appendix 1 to the submitted report, which set out the high level action areas proposed to be used to shape the specific projects and initiatives of the Council and its partners.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education highlighted the key challenges currently being faced in the labour and skills market both locally and nationally and provided an overview of how the proposed plan looked to address such challenges.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail on the processes which would be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed plan. Information was specifically provided on how outcomes were currently measured in terms of those initiatives delivered by the Council, where Council resource or Council obtained grants were being utilised by partner organisations and via the continued use of data sources in the field of employment and skills. Members also noted the progress being made towards the adoption of the Social Progress Index, which it was noted would be a further source of relevant data.

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail on the initiatives in place to support existing members of the workforce who were seeking employment or a change in career, with a specific example being provided on initiatives in place to support that cohort in entering expanding industries in Leeds such as the digital sector.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Future Talent Plan and delivery approach, be approved, with the plan being developed online and launched in May 2022;

(b)  That the responsibility for the implementation of the Future Talent Plan be delegated to the Director of City Development, with the exception of any projects or initiatives identified that sit under the delegated authority of the Director of Resources which will be their responsibility to implement;

(c)  That it be noted that responsibility for any projects or initiatives included in the plan which are to be delivered by the Council’s partners in the city will remain with them.