Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which sets out relevant information, to enable the Scrutiny Board to determine the scope of work required, relating to the delivery of the relevant Big Ideas outlined in the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018 - 2023, and to determine draft terms of reference for agreement at the next Scrutiny Board meeting.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support set out the information to enable the Board to determine the scope of work required relating to the delivery of the relevant Big Ideas outlined in the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018-23, and to determine draft terms of reference for agreement at the next Board meeting.

A copy of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018-2023 was appended to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Richard Lewis – Executive Member

·  Councillor Jonathon Pryor – Executive Member

·  Sue Wynne - Chief Officer, Employment and Skills

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

The Board received a presentation on the Inclusive Growth Strategy.  Key issues highlighted included the following:

·  The Inclusive Growth Strategy was the first one in the country.

·  Leeds had the highest employment growth of any UK city this year and the highest economic growth amongst the core cities.

·  There were significant issues which included 150 thousand people living the most deprived areas and 80 thousand jobs that were below the living wage.

·  The Twelve Big Ideas – focussed on People, Place and Productivity.

·  Priority Sectors in Leeds

·  What will happen next – the need to map what is in place and assess what needs to be done to bridge any gaps.  Community Committees will be briefed with an update in Autumn 2018.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  With regard to the number of people living in the most deprived areas it was reported that this was around the middle of the table in comparison with other core cities.  Although there was growth in the economy there had been growth in inequalities and there has been a growth in poverty.  The Council is trying to support those in the most economically and socially deprived areas to address the imbalance.

·  Approximately 76k households in Leeds claiming benefits and 70% of those are claiming work related benefits therefore in employment but in ‘work poverty’.

·  The More Jobs, Better Jobs Breakthrough Project had included work to support employers with regards to paying the living wage.  The majority of businesses in Leeds were small and medium enterprises which presented different challenges in how employers could achieve living wage rates for employees.

• Reference to the work with Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Inclusive Anchors and the Living Wage Foundation.
• Clarity regarding the definition of ‘better jobs’ and the reduction of inequalities for those in low paid jobs. The Board were advised that there are many issues that are a reflection of national policy and cannot be addressed locally. There would be a need to consider this further to identify what are local issues that potentially could be addressed.

·  Encouragement of new jobs in the City and bringing in employers with more opportunities.  HS2 was cited as an example.

·  Boosting training and apprenticeship opportunities to ensure local people are prepared for better employment opportunities.

• The Board highlighted their interest in establishing how the impact of the work through the various strands of the strategy, and particularly in regard to better jobs, tacking low pay and reducing in work poverty, would be experienced by residents, their families and their communities, adding that the inquiry should aim to establish how the strategy will address sustainability by ensuring Leeds citizens are supported in securing jobs, in order to ease pressures on communities and existing social and environmental infrastructure.

·  Work with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support businesses exporting goods and building international relations.

In summary to the discussion it was stressed that there needed to be a focus on how the Inclusive Growth Strategy could close the gap in inequalities caused by poverty and how in future that Leeds citizens could benefit from employment opportunities in the city.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the information contained within the report and the appended Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy be noted.

(2)  That the information presented at the meeting be noted.

(3)  That the scope of the review/inquiry having regard to advice provided in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.5 be agreed.

(4)  That terms of reference be drafted by the Principal Scrutiny Advisor and brought to the next Board meeting for consideration and agreement.