Agenda item

The Interim Economic and Growth Enterprise Manager provided the Committee with an update on progress made in meeting the ambitions set out in the Economic Growth Strategy. The Committee were informed that Slough was entering a time of opportunity with the government selecting Heathrow as its preferred option for airport expansion, town centre investment through Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, improving infrastructure both in transport as well as homes, schools and leisure. 

Members were informed that the recent Centre for Cities report 2017 had highlighted a number of positive areas, which included:

• The best 5GCSE results in the country

• 2nd highest GVA outside London

• 3rd highest business start up in the country

• Improving leisure facilities such as Arbour Park

• Delivering improvements to a number of schools

• Building 2 new hotels

• Securing £500m investment into the Town Centre

It was noted that some of the successes were demonstrated through the effectiveness of the Council’s partnerships e.g youth services, pre employability courses, adult and community learning, job brokerage and many others.

Challenges facing the Borough were raised in the ensuing discussion, including ensuring people who lived in the Borough were equipped with the skill set to enable them to achieve employment. It was outlined that whilst the Borough had a relatively low unemployment at 9.3%, residents who were employed were significantly over represented in lower skilled roles and under represented in professional roles. The Strategic Skills and Employment Group was focused on ensuring Slough and in particular its residents had access to develop the right skills and opportunities. A Member asked whether the Council engaged with businesses to maximise apprenticeship opportunities for young people and was informed that this was stipulated as part of the contractual agreement with those companies the Council had a formal partnership with ie arvato. The matter would be explored further with regard to private businesses, such as Mars, O2 taking on apprenticeships. 

The importance of ensuring that existing businesses, both small and large, were supported was highlighted as a key factor in the continuing economic growth of the Borough. Potential factors that could affect this included the outcome of Brexit, the prospect of Crossrail and its improving access to east London and the expansion of Heathrow. It was noted that dialogue was on-going with a number of companies and the trading estate’s regional manager. It was brought to Members attention that although Slough had the third highest start up for businesses in the country, many did not succeed. To address this, events had also taken place to provide information and support to small businesses, which included the Enterprise Cube at the Curve, which was a twelve week programme providing professional services and coaching to small/medium size businesses who had recently established in the area. 

Responding to concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts of  Heathrow expansion, the Committee were informed that the matter was due to be considered at the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel scheduled for 26 June 2017. A Member raised whether the expansion of Heathrow would benefit local residents in terms of employment opportunities. It was highlighted that Heathrow had established a jobs Academy and residents were able to apply to vacancies through this. 

The Committee were informed that the current Economic Growth and Enterprise Strategy, which was agreed in 2014, was currently being refreshed in recognition of the changing circumstances as set out above. As part of the Five Year Plan the following objectives had been identified to delivering the Council’s outcomes:

•  Creating the Slough story

•  Delivering high quality skills and training

•  Providing excellent infrastructure

•  A clear local plan

•  Attracting new investment

•  Retain and growing existing business

•  Delivering creativity and innovation

The proposed process for developing the strategy was outlined and it was agreed that the Committee would review the strategy in early/mid October 2017, prior to its launch in November 2017.

Resolved –

a)  That the progress made in delivering the priority in the Economic Growth Strategy be noted.

b)  That the intention to rewrite the Economic Growth Strategy be noted.

c)  That the Committee receive an update on the re-write of the Economic Strategy prior to its launch in November 2017.