Agenda item

(i)       Joint Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Corporate      Director of Regeneration and Economic Development.

(ii)      Update on the work of the County Durham Economic Partnership –           presented by Professor Brian Tanner, Chairman, County Durham    Economic Partnership.

The Chairman thanked the Chairman of the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP), Professor Brian Tanner who was in attendance to give an update for Members in relation to the work of the CDEP (for copy see file of minutes).

The Chairman, CDEP reminded Members that while there were still severe economic challenges, there had been many recent successes that could be built upon including: recent partnership cultural events such as Lumiere and the Lindisfarne Gospels; the approach to European Investment Planning (EU Funding Programme), with the CDEP feeding up to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP); addressing Welfare Reform; and linking with the North East Farming and Rural Advisory Network (NEFRAN) working with the Councillor E Tomlinson as the Council’s Rural Champion. 

Members learned that challenges that were faced included tackling unemployment, particularly youth unemployment; and job creation working with more businesses and larger businesses to increase the number of jobs available and work undertaken to strengthen the “investability” of County Durham businesses.

The Committee noted that priorities included: continuing to work in partnership; strengthen relationships, such as with the NELEP; and maximise opportunities presented through European Funding.  Members noted key areas of delivery included: the new Horden/Peterlee Rail Station; the Future Business Magnates (FBM) programme in schools within County Durham; working to increase social inclusion and value, turning volunteering opportunities into potential jobs; supporting innovation and business growth and developing procurement opportunities for local businesses.

The Chairman thanked the Chairman, CDEP and asked Members for their questions on the update.

Councillors asked questions in relation to: the previous CDEP Economic Updates that were provide monthly to Members; social inclusion/social value; and the influence of the CDEP regarding youth employment and engaging with those “hard to reach” young people.

The SPP and Resources Manager explained the CDEP updates were now quarterly and available on the CDEP webpage, though less data was now available and based upon “scaled up” Office of National Statistics (ONS) information.  The Chairman, CDEP added that, in respect of social inclusion, there was a specific stream within the European Structural Fund that was to target young people in this regard.  The SPP and Resources Manager noted that there were several strands that were looking to align with the needs of businesses and local community needs.  The Chair, CDEP noted that while the CDEP did not have executive operations, it could influence employers via partnerships and Members within the NELEP.  The SPP and Resources Manager explained that projects in respect of youth engagement were not yet developed regionally or nationally yet, with consultation being July 2014, though engagement would be locally based, likely to be similar to the Regional Employability Framework (REF) as used previously.

Resolved:

That the update be noted.