Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which presented progress towards achieving the key outcomes of the council’s corporate performance framework (for copy see file of minutes).

In moving the report, the Chair acknowledged that the corporate performance framework, which is structured around the ambitions of the County Durham Vision, had suffered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  He highlighted that, prior to the pandemic, employment in the county had been increasing, and, with thanks to activity by Business Durham, many jobs had been created and safeguarded. 

He expressed concern at the implications of the end of the furlough scheme on employment and he pledged support to industry and employees.  He referred to the council’s work to support business throughout the pandemic and he thanked the officers responsible for expediting grant funding payments to businesses.  He added that the council will continue to invest in plans to bring an additional 30,000 jobs to County Durham.

Referring to the projection that unemployment is expected to double by 2021, Councillor Napier remarked this was particularly worrying for the county’s young people and commented that there is a task ahead to focus on providing more and better paid jobs and education and training opportunities.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Councillor L Hovvels left the meeting.