Issue - meetings

Report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth

The Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property and the Economic Growth Officer delivered a presentation in respect of Covid-19 Business Recovery, which provided the Group with an update on the work being done to support businesses to recover from the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The Group were provided with statistical data in respect of unemployment claims, job vacancies and business closures and were advised that the D2N2 LEP had provided an analysis of Rushcliffe’s labour market demands, which showed there were 800 unique jobs advertised between January and July 2022.

The Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property explained that during the pandemic, the Economic Growth Team had monitored the vacancy rates in our main towns and villages and reported that the majority of the town centres had very few or no empty units, with only a couple in West Bridgford, Bingham and Radcliffe on Trent. It was noted that in August the occupancy level at Council owned industrial units was at 100% and the new yet to be opened Bingham Enterprise Centre already had four interested parties.

The Economic Growth Officer informed the Group of some of the activities that had been delivered using the Welcome Back Funding from the European Regional Development Fund to support the safe reopening of our town centres.

Some of this funding went to the following activities:

·       The appointment of a temporary town centre consultant from September 2021 to June 2022.

·       Enhanced and additional events in West Bridgford and some of the larger towns and villages

·       Improvements to the visual appearance of town centres

·       Promotion of job vacancies on the Council’s Social Media platforms

·       Ongoing communications campaigns e.g. Shop Local Shop Safe

·       Exploring opportunities for Digital promotion of high streets e.g. West Bridgford Way

·       Rushcliffe Business Partnership networking events in West Bridgford and Ruddington

·       Continue to build on relationships with high street businesses – retail forums and WhatsApp groups

·       Rushcliffe Big Business Carbon Club established to encourage larger businesses to act as champions to deliver a greener economic recovery

It was noted that the Economic Growth Team work closely with external agencies to sign post businesses and tailor support as required, primarily the D2N2 Growth Hub offering a range of business support and advice.

The Economic Growth Officer informed the Group of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and Rushcliffe’s allocation of £2,571,46 to be spent over 3 years (2022/23 to 2024/25) as follows:

2022/23 - £312,071

2023/24 - £624,141

2024/25 - £1,635,250

The Economic Growth Officer advised the Group that an investment plan had been submitted on 1 August and the funding can be used from April 2022 to support activities as prescribed within the investment support priorities of the UKSPF which are, Community and Place, Business Support and People and Skills (People and Skills from 2024/25).

It was noted that lead local authorities across Nottinghamshire are encouraged to work with local partners to deliver on the UK Governments wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK by delivering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8