Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chair introduced the Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer, RED, Glenn Martin who was in attendance to update Members on the Local Enterprise Partnership (for copy, see file of notes).

The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer thanked the Members for the opportunity to speak at the Committee and reiterated the main points in relation to the new North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) including opportunities and developments.  Members were asked to note that the new NELEP website had gone live 2 weeks ago as part of a transparent process of moving forward, the NELEP now had public relations support in addition and was in the process of recruiting an Executive Support Team of 5 posts.

The Committee were informed that the NELEP had secured £16.7 Million from the Government’s “Growing Places Fund” and this would indirectly be used to support jobs, primarily through schemes encompassing infrastructure, transport and housing.  It was added that there could be “recycling” of the funding (reinvestment) when LAs are invited to submit pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) to Government in relation to this fund, those having been submitted just prior to Christmas 2011.

The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer explained that there would be continued work to establish Low Carbon Enterprise Zones at three sites, including the North Bank of the Tyne, the Port of Blyth and the A19 Corridor.  Members noted that there were other “enterprise zones” that did not fall into this exact category such as PETEC at NETPark.

Members were advised of the new rural forum, the North Eastern Farming and Rural Advisory Network (NEFRAN) that had been established with backing from the NELEP and the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  The Committee learned that NEFRAN had submitted a bid for funding from a £3 Million pot to establish a Rural Growth Network which could equate to around 500 jobs for the North East.  It was explained that this included representation from DCC, Northumberland County Council, Gateshead Council, Newcastle University, Private Landowners and Northumberland National Park.  Members were reminded that County Durham had a large geographical area and through collaboration, it was hoped DCC could “punch its weight” accordingly.

The Committee learned that the Private Sector Lead of the NELEP Skills and employment Group would attend a meeting of the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) in March 2012 to help build on the work began by One North East such as planning for future workforce needs.  Members were also informed of a Memorandum of Understanding that would be signed between the NELEP and the Government’s “UK Trade and Investment” that would allow the NELEP to access their database of inward investment enquires in order to help develop a regular dialogue with Government.

The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer added that there was ongoing work with the Northern tourism Alliance and the NELEP for the coordination of tourism activities and that the NELEP was looking to see how bids into the £2.4 Billion (nationally) third round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) could be coordinated.  Members noted that this RGF bid coordination could include helping to develop several smaller bids together in an attempt to improve the success rate of securing Government support.  Councillors were advised that there would likely be a fourth, and possibly a fifth, round of RGF funding bids and that the Chief Executive and the Head of Economic Development, Sarah Robson were leading in respect of DCC and the NELEP.

The Chair thanked the Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer for his verbal update on the report and asked Members for their questions.

Mr A Kitching noted that many of the points raised were in relation to Northumberland or other areas within the North East and asked what was specifically happening in County Durham.  The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer explained that the NELEP was for the “North Eastern” area; however, he could get a list of specific activities for the next Committee.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor A Naylor noted that the Working Group set up by the committee, the Improving Employment Opportunities of Young People (18-24) had undertaken several site visits to various training providers and that the opportunities for young people to develop high levels of technical skills were there and asked how these types of providers could be assisted. 

The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer explained that the Government’s “Skills Agenda” would make reference to the NELEP as a consultative group in relation to the “Employer Ownership of Skills” to drive forward the skills agenda.  Members noted that Andrew Hodgson, likely known to Councillors in his role as Chair of the Tyne and Wear Employment and Skills Board, was the Vice-Chair of the NELEP and DCC would work with him to ensure that skills and training for County Durham would be leading the way. 

The Principal Regeneration Strategy Officer acknowledged Members’ concerns for those over 19 years of age and how funding for training was affected post-19 and added that the NELEP could be a strong voice for lobbying of such issues. 

Councillor J Armstrong concurred with the comments made by Councillor A Naylor and added congratulations to the work of the Economic Regeneration Manager, Graham Wood in respect of the County Durham Apprenticeship Programme which had been commented upon at a recent visit to Derwentside Further Education College.

Resolved:    

That the Report be noted.