Agenda item

Rafiq Chohan, Assistant Director for Economic Development and Inclusion, outlined a report to advise the Committee of measures taken to support residents through the credit crunch and to discuss unemployment levels within Slough’s communities.  The Committee were also informed of the Slough Economic Taskforce (SET), which was an internal partnership developed as a direct result of the downturn. 

The Committee was advised that Slough Borough Council was quick to respond to the global economic downturn and the SET had been launched to support local residents and businesses through the economic uncertainty.  Information had been made available to residents through the council’s website and leaflets had been distributed to homes to provide advice on housing, benefits, debt and local employment.  Advice had been given to businesses including information on debt recovery, business grants, etc.  Following consultation with private, public and voluntary sectors a 10 point plan had been compiled to cover areas such as the provision of employment seminars and workshops for the unemployed and the increased support proposed for volunteering opportunities.  The Officer advised that the economic development and inclusion team had partnered with Business Link to ensure that support was available to local small and medium sized businesses and a number of seminars and workshops had been arranged.  Future seminars planned for the first quarter of the year included the subject of how to secure contracts for the 2012 Olympics.

The Committee noted that external funding had been sourced to set up support for the unemployed who had lost their jobs as a direct result of the recession. The project would provide assistance with job search, CVs and interview tips.  The Officer discussed other projects that had arisen including the lone parents project and Migration Works, which was funded by the Border and Immigration Office to support newly arrived communities to integrate into Slough’s community as quickly as possible. 

The Officer advised that that 2,461 clients had been seen within the projects and of these 174 were known to have gained sustainable employment.  Many others had gone into training or set up in business and it was recognised that without the support of these projects clients would have been more likely to remain unemployed and disillusioned.

The unemployment figure for Slough in January 2009 was 2,260 and this rose to 3,350 in November 2009.  It was envisaged that unemployment could be decreasing month on month but only on a small scale.  Despite the downturn it was noted that unemployment rates amongst the 16-25 year old group was amongst the lowest in the country and the November figures had shown a dramatic fall in this age range which had fallen more sharply than the rest of the South-East.  Long-term unemployment was lower than the UK and the South-East as a whole which suggested that the support infrastructure provided was helping to present people from becoming stuck in the rut of long term unemployment. 

In the ensuing discussion a Member asked whether any feedback had been received from end users.  The Officer advised that testimonials had been received from people who had used the workshops and these had been very positive.  It was also noted that a representative from the Government Office for the South-East (GOSE) had visited the Council recently to view what it considered to be best practice in this area.  In response to a further question the Officer advised that arrangements for a Credit Union were almost up and running but this would not be an easy project as it was difficult within the current economic climate to persuade people to sponsor the scheme.  In response to a question regarding which particular communities  were adversely affected, the Officer advised that it had been found that white youngster within the 16-24 year old age groups were more at risk as they tended to not go into further education as much as other groups.

A Member asked for information regarding the effect of the economic downturn on mental health problems in residents and was advised that 25% of the unemployed had been found to have mental health issues.  It was thought that early support in this area could help to prevent residents becoming disillusioned. 

Resolved-

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Committee notes with concern the percentage of new mental health cases which have arisen due to the economic downturn and recommends to Cabinet that pressure be placed on the relevant authorities to ensure an early assessment of need in these cases.

(c)  That a report on the issue of mental health cases due to the economic downturn be considered at a future meeting of the Health Scrutiny Panel.

(d)  That a report on the current position regarding Credit Unions be brought to a future meeting.