Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of City Development and Director of Children’s Services presenting a summary of performance against the strategic objectives for the council relevant to the Inclusive Growth, Culture and Sport Scrutiny Board within the annual 2016/17 part of the Best Council Plan 2015-20.

The Director of City Development and Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented a summary of performance against the strategic objectives for the council relevant to the Inclusive Growth, Culture and Sport Scrutiny Board within the annual 2016/17 part of the Best Council Plan 2015-20.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer (Employment and Skills)

-  Tom Bridges, Chief Officer (Economy and Regeneration)

-  Cluny Macpherson, Chief Officer (Culture and Sport)

-  Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles

-  Andrew Eastwood, Chief Officer (Learning Improvement)

-  Richard Amos, Partnership Team Senior Manager 14-19.

The key areas of discussion were:

Inclusive Growth

·  An overview of the local economy, particularly the development of legal, financial and digital sectors.

·  General issues surrounding low wage sectors and initiatives to support individuals and employers to improve skills and progression into better jobs.

·  The role of the More Jobs Better Jobs Partnership, particularly in encouraging businesses to pay the Real Living Wage (currently £8.45 an hour).

·  The need for identifying and targeting investment in priority neighbourhoods.

·  Concern about marginal growth in relation to manufacturing and the role of the Council in assisting to attract more people into the industry.

·  The need to develop a workforce in the context of technological change.

·  Monitoring growth and innovation and developing close links with local universities.

·  The need for businesses and partners to publish details of their gender pay gap.

·  An update regarding recent changes to data collection and recording of NEET figures. 

·  The Board was advised that the new draft Inclusive Growth Strategy was being submitted to Executive Board in July for approval to formally consult on the draft Strategy over the summer.  In acknowledging that many of the issues raised by the Scrutiny Board are captured within the draft Strategy, it was suggested that the Board also feeds into this consultation process. 

Culture

·  Reference was made to the Leeds bid for European Capital of Culture 2023 and it was noted that the Chair had already requested a detailed update on this as part of the Board’s July meeting.

·  Whilst acknowledging that the Leeds Culture Strategy 2017-2030 was being reported to Executive Board in July for formal approval, the Board expressed a wish to maintain a watching brief of the delivery plan linked to the new Strategy.

·  The need to improve accessibility to arts and cultural events.  It was advised that work was being undertaken with organisations aimed at ensuring that all communities benefited.

·  The importance of transport and infrastructure to access events.

·  Clarification provided regarding the role of the European Advisory Group.

Sport

·  Concern about the high levels of physical inactivity and the poor health implications that then result. This being especially prevalent in deprived communities.

·  An update on the development of the pitch strategy.

·  Development of work with GPs and public health to encourage more active lifestyles.

·  The impact of health inactivity linked to employment and mental health.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Best Council Plan 2016/17 performance information be noted.

(b)  That the new annual Best Council Plan Key Performance Indicators to be reported during 2017/18 be noted.

(c)  That arrangements are put in place to enable the Scrutiny Board to feed into the formal consultation process surrounding the draft Inclusive Growth Strategy.