Agenda item

(a)  That the Council’s plans be noted for medium term recovery and long term renewal as an organisation, for Slough the place and our communities and in particular the initiatives around skills.

(b)  That the following organisations receive funding from the Covid allocation to support their work on the local response:

  i.  Slough Food Bank - £2,000

  ii.  HomeStart Slough - £2,000

  iii.  Slough Modest Sisters - £2,000

  iv.  Haymill Support Group - £2,000

  v.  Colnbrook Cares - £2,000

  vi.  Slough Refugee Support - £2,000

  vii.  Good Gym - £2,000

  viii.  Pot to be available to other appropriate VCS organisations via OneSlough - £6,000.

The Service Lead Strategy & Performance gave a presentation that updated on the Council’s plans for recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to skills initiatives.

There had been a number of short term economic impacts of the pandemic in Slough, and whilst the response phase had sought to provide support to local businesses it was recognised the Council and its partners also had an important role to play in the recovery phase.  The Inclusive Growth Strategy agreed by Cabinet in June 2020 was central to the plans.  A series of initiatives were outlined aimed at ensuring local residents would benefit from the opportunities arising from economic recovery.  These included:

·  Future Skills Hub in partnership with Langley College and Royal Holloway University which would be located in Observatory House; 

·  Construction Academy which aimed to grow the number of jobs in the sector, including from major regeneration projects, and align careers and skills support to enable local residents access these opportunities; and

·  Health & Care Academy across Berkshire to provide a pathway for local people into sustainable employment in the sector.

Members noted that the progress report on the Inclusive Growth Strategy was due to be presented to Cabinet in December 2020.  The relevant Lead Members explained the work undertaken to develop the Construction and Health & Care Academy concepts and highlighted the importance of upskilling and matching residents into growth sectors.  Future regeneration schemes such as the North West Quadrant and Montem would provide new opportunities as would private led development such as the Horlicks site and town centre redevelopment.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Strutton welcomed the two new academies and asked a number of questions about the BAME workforce in health and social care; the number of local jobs created by the Horlicks site; and the use of CIF funding for homelessness initiatives.  Responses were provided and specific figures would be sought from the developer of the Horlicks site in relation to local employment.

The Leader highlighted the huge contribution that many local voluntary and community sector organisations had played in the Covid-19 response in Slough.  It was proposed that some of the Covid grant funding, or if necessary CIF underspends, be allocated to enable them to continue this work given the continued tightening of local and national restrictions.  The proposals were agreed.

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the Covid-19 recovery update to Council.

Recommended –  That the Council’s plans be noted for medium term recovery and long term renewal as an organisation, for Slough the place and our communities and in particular the initiatives around skills.

Resolved –   That the following organisations receive funding from the Covid allocation to support their work on the local response:

  i.  Slough Food Bank - £2,000

  ii.  HomeStart Slough - £2,000

  iii.  Slough Modest Sisters - £2,000

  iv.  Haymill Support Group - £2,000

  v.  Colnbrook Cares - £2,000

  vi.  Slough Refugee Support - £2,000

  vii.  Good Gym - £2,000

  viii.  Pot to be available to other appropriate VCS organisations via OneSlough - £6,000.