Agenda item

Slough Inclusive Growth Strategy

Minutes:

 

The Economic Development Manager introduced a report that summarised the Slough Inclusive Growth Strategy and sought comments from the Committee to feed into the Action Plan that was currently being developed.

 

Members were informed that the Inclusive Growth Strategy provided a strategic framework for the Council to develop and deliver key initiatives to support the local economy to grow, flourish and succeed.

 

The Chair invited Members to comment and ask questions.

 

During the course of the discussion, the following points were raised:

 

  • A Member commented that the Strategy document was too lengthy and unwieldly and therefore it was unlikely to be read by residents.  In addition, concern was raised that it lacked detailed data to provide an overview of the current economic landscape.  It was suggested that the document be edited, so that it could be easily understood and used by members of the community.
  • Concern was raised that the Action Plan lacked reference to the current economic circumstances faced by Slough residents in light of Covid-19.  It was highlighted that there were currently 19,000 people in Slough furloughed, facing the possibility of redundancy at the end of the Government’s furlough scheme.  It was requested that Council officers sought information from local employers about the anticipated number of redundancies in Slough at the end of the furlough scheme. 
  • A Member noted that Heathrow Airport, referenced as a strategic partner in the Strategy was currently contracting and unlikely to generate additional employment opportunities in the short-medium term.  It was highlighted that protecting jobs should be a key priority of the Council.  It was requested that Council officers established a clear picture of the local economy prior to the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board meeting scheduled to be held on 28th July 2020. 
  • The Committee was informed that officers were currently in the process of creating a Slough Inclusive Growth Strategy summary document that would soon be available on the Council’s website.  The summary document would present data and information in a digestible format.  Slough Borough Council’s Chief Executive was in the process of collating local employment and projected redundancy data to present to the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board on 28th July 2020.  The Council had set up a Response and Recovery Team and it was agreed that the Economic Development Manager would circulate information to the Committee regarding the actions taken by the Team to mitigate the loss of jobs in Slough.  With regard to the role of Heathrow Airport, it was reported that Council officers would be attending a round table meeting with Heathrow representatives and discussions would be held regarding the types of support and interventions Heathrow could put in place and how SBC could work with Heathrow to retain jobs in Slough.  The importance of understanding business and supply chains would be highlighted.  In addition, Heathrow would be asked to indicate what interventions and support they could provide to mitigate the detrimental social impact of job losses.
  • A Member asked how the Strategy would promote the revival of Slough high street.  It was explained that officers were working with the Slough Business Improvement District Town Centre Manager to regenerate the high street.  It was highlighted that the revival of Slough high street was a key priority of the Strategy and was at the forefront of the delivery of the Action Plan.  The Economic Development Manager agreed to extract the relevant section in the Action Plan and circulate it to the Committee.
  • A Member asked if the Council had used all of its Apprenticeship Levy funding.  It was agreed that the Economic Development Manager would seek this information from the Council’s HR department and circulate the data to the Committee. 
  • It was reported that discussions were currently being held about establishing Further Education providers in the Borough and degree apprenticeships; the Strategy would be focussed on utilising both Higher Education and Further Education providers.
  • Referring to the Risk Management table set out in section 4 of the report, the Economic Development Manager was asked to elaborate on the risk relating to the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board.  It was explained that there was a need to ensure the right representation of partners were present on the Board to support the implementation of the Strategy.
  • Clarification was sought regarding the reference to ‘Slough 2040 Vision’.  It was explained that this related to the long-term future and vision for Slough and the importance of aligning all of the Council’s strategies.  Councillors would be receiving an invite to the Slough 2040 Vision Conference being held on 27th July 2020.
  • A Member requested that measurable targets for the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board be set.  It was explained that the Board would be creating targets to ensure its objects were delivered.
  • In relation to page 13 of the Strategy document ‘Digging Deeper: People & Skills’ and the reference ‘Slough’s success in attracting skilled migrant labour from far and wide’.  It was noted that Brexit would have implications for the local labour market and Slough’s ability to attract international talent.  In addition, the importance of ‘home grown talent’ was acknowledged.  It was agreed that these matters would be referenced at the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board meeting on 28th July 2020. 
  • A Member commended the information set out on page 16 of the Strategy in relation to ‘Slough’s 3 key drivers of future growth’.
  • It was highlighted that traffic congestion and access in Slough was a key challenge that needed to be addressed by the Inclusive Growth Strategy.  It was requested that this matter be referenced at the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board meeting on 28th July 2020.
  • Referring to page 50 of the Strategy document, it was requested that  ‘Overview and Scrutiny Committee’ be added to the list of ‘key performance and monitoring forums’
  • In order to engage with residents, a Member urged officers to streamline the number of strategy documents produced and to ensure that information in the public domain could be readily understood by residents.

 

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked the Economic Development Manager for the comprehensive report.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That the Economic Development Manager be requested to provide the requested additional information, as detailed above, to the Committee.

 

(b)  That the comments raised, as detailed above, be referenced at the Regeneration, Economy and Skills Board meeting scheduled to be held on 28th July 2020. 

 

(c)  That the comments raised during the discussion, as detailed above be used to inform the strategic priorities of the Inclusive Growth Strategy and Action Plan.

Supporting documents: