Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sahota declared an interest regarding the Wellington Market and familial business interest in the market.

RESOLVED - the minutes of the meeting on the 16 March 2022 have been signed by chair.

To receive an update from the Director - Housing, Employment & Infrastructure, Housing Solutions.

The Committee heard from the Service Delivery Manager: Inward Investment & Business Support and the Investment & Business Support Team Leader who presented the Business Support Programme (Scene Setting) item.

Before the presentation, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration and the High Street outlined to the Committee that the Business Support Programme and Pride in Our High Street had been a decade long project and had seen many successes and changes in recent years. He praised officers for their work over the last few years. The Cabinet Member highlighted that Newport was championed in the Borough and nationally and that the local authority is one of three councils in the country to be involved in international trade partnership for businesses. It was highlighted that the number of vacant units had fallen below the national average in the Borough. Members heard that following the recent Queen's Speech there could be more legislation going forward that provides local authorities with more power over highstreets.

The Investment & Business Support Team Leader started the presentation by explaining the team structure for Business Support and Pride in Our High Street. It was highlighted that the team had specialist skills such as supporting businesses with grant funding.

The Committee also heard about the Business Support Services and three areas the presenting officer’s team provided support in. The first was investment and it was that that promoted the town to external investors as well as supported existing businesses to expand. The second was business support, which provided support for businesses of all sizes and sectors across the Borough. The final service discussed was Pride in our High Street. This offered targeted support for high street businesses as part of a high street regeneration strategy. Members heard that this service was going to be discussed in more depth later in the presentation.

Members heard that there were three delivery mechanisms that helped to fulfil the services offered. These were the Telford Growth Hub; Account Management; and, Project Management. Each of these were discussed individually.

Regarding the Telford Growth Hub, members heard that the Growth Hub offers support for businesses with the aim to grow the local business both in development and networking. It was said that before the Covid-19 pandemic, the growth hub had developed a business community and that from Covid-19 it has had to develop this community to one that takes place online. Following this, Members heard that this has adapted once again to take a hybrid approach to the Growth Hub. A combination of both in-person and online support was available.

Members saw a video from a Senior Account Manager to discuss the Account Management delivery mechanism that was offered. It was said that they worked with local businesses to build connections and network for growth. It was also explained that Account Management helped with investment opportunities with national and international businesses. It was explained that the team provided this support in various forms ranging from but not limited to grant funding support and account management  ...  view the full minutes text for item BFSC53

The Chair thanked all presenting officers, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration and the High Street and the Director: Housing, Employment & Infrastructure for presenting to the committee.

There was an interest in receiving further updates on the impacts of this programme.

Members would receive an update on a following workshop from the presentation heard at the Committee meeting and the Democratic Services Officer would be in contact when details had been finalised.