Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which provides an update on the Ad:Venture and Digital Enterprise Business Support programmes. The report outlines efforts made by the Council in developing new funding packages for these programmes and seeks approval to enter into a series of contracts and funding agreements with the principal funder – West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and delivery partners.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on the Ad:Venture programme and Digital Enterprise Business Support programme which had been delivered by the Council on behalf the Leeds City Region since 2016. The report outlined the efforts made by the Council in developing new funding packages for these programmes and sought approval to enter into a series of contracts and funding agreements with the principal funder – West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and delivery partners.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member provided an overview of the support and opportunities which had been delivered as a result of both programmes since 2016, and the role of such programmes in contributing towards the growth of the local economy.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further details on the actions which were being taken, and which continued to be developed, in order to proactively market and promote the programmes across all communities. It was noted that whilst such an approach would focus upon West Yorkshire moving forward, it was anticipated that proposed developments in the marketing approach would further improve how the programmes targeted their services in future.

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail on the processes in place to monitor and measure the outcomes arising from the programmes, with it being noted that there was an established evaluation procedure in place, and that the outcomes from that process were considered by WYCA, as appropriate. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress and success of Ad:Venture and Digital Enterprise which has been achieved to date in supporting businesses and individuals across the Leeds City Region, be noted;

(b)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to enable the Director to enter into contract with West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the Ad:Venture and Digital Enterprise Business Support Programmes;

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to enable the Director to enter into funding agreements with delivery partners and take all necessary actions to ensure that the Ad:Venture and Digital Enterprise programmes continue to support businesses and individuals across West Yorkshire;

(d)  That the authority to spend up to £5m of Gainshare funding on the Ad:Venture Programme, and up to £4,676,147 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) on the Digital Enterprise Programme, be approved.