The Chief Economic
Development Officer submitted a report regarding the ‘Agenda
for Improved Economic Performance’.
Appended to the report
were copies of the following documents for the information/comment
of the meeting:-
a)
Leeds Agenda for Improved Economic Performance –
Executive
Summary
b)
List of Consulted Organisations
c)
The Agenda for Improved Economic Performance - Future Structure
The following
representatives were in attendance:-
Paul Stephens, Chief
Economic Development Manager, City Development
Tom Holvey, Economic Policy Manager, City
Development
In summary, specific
reference was to the following issues:-
- support for the main
approach of the document around a common message, leadership and
buy in of partners
- support for the
themes of the document through the Golden Thread and the three
objectives of Great Place, Skilled People and Copetitive Businesses
- concern expressed
that EASEL had been omitted from the document
- the need for clarity
of the relationship between Leeds and the city region
- the fact that this
document should have been reviewed in 2004
- the need for positive
elements to be included within the document with the aim of
addressing inequalities in the area
- clarification of the
principle aims of the document around growth and business diversity
and whether the ‘Leeds Initiative Leeds Economy
Partnership’ document published in 1999 had influenced these areas
- the reasons why the
document was not to be incorporated
within the new ‘Vision for Leeds 2011-2030 and the costs
involved in developing this separate publication
- reference to a
separate policy regeneration document on worklessness which had been produced by the
Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods
- the concern expressed
that the document would not have an impact as it would be viewed as
just another ‘glossy’ document produced by the
Council
- support for a shorter
and more succinct style of publication
- the need to identify
more of the unique components of the Leeds economy
- support for the
proposal that future opportunities need to be made clearer and that
linkages be improved particularly with other strategies
and the different sections of the
document
- support for the
proposal that the document be reversed
so that the actions and "what are we going to do" was at the front
followed by the context
- clarification of
which organisations and businesses had been consulted
- the need for the
document to include political aspirations which cannot be done by
officers to promote major schemes and initiatives in Leeds
- the need for a
‘Plan B’ to be written into the document i.e. Next
Generation Transport, what if scenario
- the need for the
document to focus on joined up thinking with a dialogue with
‘real people’ and avoid having too structured
approach
The Chair then invited
the Chief Economic Development Officer and the Economic Policy
Manager to respond to the various comments made.
In summary specific
reference was made to the following issues:-
- details of the cross
section consultation process which had included such companies as
ASDA and IBM in Thorp Arch
- the view expressed
that the document would focus too much on the economic performance
of Leeds and not on the areas of deprivation
- to acknowledge the
importance of the consultation process in producing the final
document
- to advise the meeting
that there will be a series of action plans produced and
incorporated into the final document
- reference was made to
the 1999 document and the fact that for three years from its
publication a particular theme was selected each year and progress
reviewed
- confirmation that the
issue of sustainability would be addressed in the final document,
together with focusing on low carbon emissions/equality thereby
ensuring that the City of Leeds would be in a good position to
respond to the challenges around the targets and aspirations set by
the Vision for Leeds 2011 -2030
- the fact that many
companies were currently time rich but cash poor and consequently
perhaps more willing to visit schools to raise pupils
aspirations
RESOLVED-
a)
That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.
b)
That the Chief Economic Development Manager and the Economic Policy
Manager be requested to incorporate appropriate and
relevant comments and support given by
the Board within the final document prior to it’s submission
for approval to the Executive Board meeting on 7th April
2010.
c)
That, in conjunction with the Board’s Principal Scrutiny
Adviser, the Chief Economic Development Manager be requested to
provide Board Members with either a hard copy or link in relation
to the ‘Leeds Initiative Leeds Economy Partnership’
document published in 1999 for their information/retention.
d)
That Members of the Board be provided with a copy of the final
publication.
(Councillor C Beverley
left the meeting at 11.30am during discussions of the above
item)
(Councillor D
Schofield left the meeting at 11.40am during discussions of the
above item)
(Councillor T Murray
left the meeting at 11.55am during discussions of the above
item)