Agenda item

To receive an update on the Thrive Telford business support programme.

The Cabinet Member: Economy presented the report of the Director: Prosperity & Investment.

The report set out the work that had been undertaken as part of the Council’s Thrive Telford programme which had seen £5.8m invested into skills, social activities and vital business support across the Borough. The programme had targeted support to those most in need including community groups that help reduce anti-social behaviour and crime and children and young people who were currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Delivery of the Thrive Telford programme began in February 2023 with implementation phases continuing into Summer 2024 and a current programme end date of 31 March 2025. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) provided £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025 which would enable local authorities funding for communities, places, businesses, people and skills to support the delivering of the following objectives:-

• Boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector;
• Increase opportunities and improve public services;
• Restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging; and
• Empower local leaders and communities.

The report highlighted a number of key achievements since the programme commenced including the issuing of 174 business grants, 382 residents enrolled onto NEET programmes, 30 businesses accessing support services to improve efficiency and 170 individuals receiving start up support.

Working with the St Giles Trust, the programme had supported the roll out of the Trust’s Desist and Transform programme which looks to provide education and build awareness for young people in areas such as knife crime, criminal justice and gang related crime. The programme had also supported other initiatives such as Telford Kicks, a free football programme which takes place at 8 locations across the Borough and provides young people with constructive activity to reduce engagement in anti-social behaviour. School Kabaddi workshops had taken place in partnership with Sport England and the Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council which had seen a total of 19 schools and 1,525 pupils participating.

The programme had been vital in launching the new Digital Skills Hub located at the Quad in Station Quarter to offer maths and digital-focused courses by Telford College to students in the Borough as well as robotics, automation and engineering-based courses.

The Government had recently announced that the programme will be extended for a further year and the Council were awaiting details of the extension including any changes to priorities.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and highlighted the positive impact the programme had had on reducing anti-social behaviour in the Borough.

The Leader of the Conservative Group acknowledged that outward investment was beneficial and noted that the report highlighted the number of enterprises and individuals who had benefitted from the programme. He asked for detail to be provided on what proportion of capital investment had been invested into the Quad and the facilities that the Council was occupying.

The Cabinet Member: Economy confirmed that details would be provided outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED – that the progress of the Thrive Telford programme be noted.