Agenda item

Report of the Interim Corporate Director of Resources – presented by Strategy Team Leader, Resources.

The Chair thanked the Strategy Team Leader, Gemma Wilkinson who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter Two, 2020/21 Performance Management Report (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategy Team Leader noted the background in terms of COVID-19 and the emergency response to the pandemic since March 2020.  She noted the report followed the usual format and followed the Council vision in terms of areas relevant to the Committee, namely: create more and better jobs, and support communities to be well connected.  She noted the Corporate Director had updated the Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on business, culture and tourism within herpresentation.

Within “more and better jobs” it was noted, in reference to the key question “do residents have good job prospects”, the Strategy Team Leader noted that there had been an increase in the claimant count, with a significant increase in those aged 16-24.  Members noted around one third of those eligible under the Government scheme had been furloughed, though it was added that the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data suggested this had reduced to 15 percent.  She added 150 jobs had been created at the new Morrisons at Dalton Park, with 1,000 permanent and 1,500 seasonal jobs created at the Amazon fulfilment centre at Integra 61, Bowburn.

In relation to the key question, “is County Durham a good place to do business”, it was noted that the 2020 town centre surveys were carried out during July/August after the national lockdown was lifted and it reported on the number of vacant units as well as how many appeared to remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was added that the highest percentage of vacant units was at Spennymoor, mainly due to the re-development of Festival Walk and that the smaller towns showed lower levels of closures.  The Strategy Team Leader explained that as a result of lockdown, many festivals and cultural events had been rescheduled or reorganised as online events where possible.  Councillors noted an increase in terms of homeless presentations, with the main reasons being: financial difficulty; families no longer willing to accommodate; and non-violent relationship breakdown.

The Chair thanked the Strategy Team Leader and added that the doubling of the number of businesses engaged with by Business Durham was very good.

Councillor J Atkinson asked as regards the vacancy figures relating to Newton Aycliffe and asked if it was linked to higher rents or was due to other reasons.  The Strategy Team Leader noted she would speak to colleagues and come back to Members with a response.

Resolved:

That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter two performance, the impact of COVID-19 on performance, and the actions being taken to address areas of underperformance including the significant economic and well-being challenges because of the pandemic.