The Director of City Development submitted a report regarding the growth of the digital sector in Leeds and the work being undertaken to support and promote this sector. In addition, the report also sought approval to delegate powers to the Director of City Development in order to build a Tech Hub.
In considering the report, the Board received information regarding the ongoing actions being taken to increase the digital skills base in Leeds.
Responding to an enquiry, the Board received a brief update on the achievements in this field to date. In addition, with regard to the specific details around the development of a Tech Hub, it was noted that further work would be undertaken around such proposals and submitted to the Board for consideration in due course.
RESOLVED –
(a) That the Leeds Digital Skills Action Plan be endorsed, together with the Council’s approach to procuring sector specialists to lead on this, with a view to moving to a model where it is entirely funded by the sector;
(b) That the success of the Leeds Digital Festival be acknowledged and that support continues to be offered as this becomes an annual event, with continued support also being offered to the Leeds Digital Board and the work it does to promote the sector;
(c) That the £3.7m grant from Department for Culture, Media and Sport be accepted, and that the injection of the grant into the capital programme be approved;
(d) That the Chief Officer Economy and Regeneration be requested to work up proposals for a Tech Hub in Leeds, for consideration by Executive Board later in 2016;
(e) That the Chief Officer Economy and Regeneration be requested, in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, to develop a proposal to support the existing FutureLabs pop up in the short to medium term;
(f) That the Chief Officer Economy and Regeneration be requested to work up proposals and submit them to Executive Board for supporting the growth of fintech businesses in Leeds, with the aim of developing Leeds as a centre of expertise for cybersecurity, and for Leeds to become a hub for innovation in Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.