Agenda item

Report of the Head of Economic Development, Durham County Council.

The Board received an update report from the Head of Economic Development, presented by the Regeneration Policy Team Leader, Glenn Martin on the Inclusive Economic Strategy (IES) Deliver Plan (for copy see file of minutes).

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader reminded the Board that the process in terms of the IES had begun around two years ago, and that a lot had changed in that time.  He noted the consultation that had taken place during lockdown with ‘The Big e-Conversation’, with the impact of health on the economy brought into focus due to the pandemic.

In respect of the Economic Statement, the Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that it was at an early stage, with elements including looking at the impact of long-term sickness on the economy sometime known as ‘hidden unemployment’.  He explained that in April 2022 there had been over 3,000 responses to the consultation.  He noted that East Durham College had helped with the consultation, in encouraging responses from young people, which in addition to the good response from residents and businesses represented a good sample of responses.

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that in terms of the Economic Partnership, it had been very clear that there had been a lack of opportunities and connectivity, especially for young people.  He noted that the draft strategy had stated ‘more and better jobs’ and referred to ‘five Ps’: People; Productivity; Places; Promotion: and Planet, with all to be delivered through Partnership.  He noted that it had been encouraging to see mental health of their staff emerge as a key priority for many businesses.  He explained that, with the backdrop of reducing resources for Local Authorities, there was a need for a partnership approach, with links to other agencies and organisations.  He noted there had been a number of thematic groups, based upon the ‘five Ps’, with an addition group looking at Innovation.

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader explained that there had been 160 activities identified, not just for the Local Authority, but also including partners, and there was reference to funding, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).  He noted the Delivery Plan was for the next few years, rather than across the whole of the Economic Strategy, to reflect the changes that would impact in the next few years, the national and local elections and national spending reviews.  He noted that one of the main issues would be funding moving forward.

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader explained that there had been engagement with health colleagues at an early stage and very good working relationships had been established.  He noted that the Delivery Plan had been adopted by the Economic Partnership in October 2023, and by the Council in November 2023.

The Board noted the integration with Durham Insight, and it was explained that there would be a need to see an improvement across all of the county to be able to say the strategy was working.

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that in respect to wellbeing, activities and key areas included: Durham Enable; Supported Employment Scheme; skills development, including literacy, numeracy and digital skills; support for those with learning disabilities; ‘Better Health at Work’; ‘Health on the High Street’; ‘B-Corps’; business enterprise support scheme; housing strategy; public transport; broadband delivery; life science; and the quality of our local environment and nature.  He added that a Delivery Group had been set up and would meet in February 2024 to establish leads and look at funding, with the Public Heath Strategic Manager, Michael Shannon representing Public Health.  He noted that additional colleagues would be brought in as needed and the Group would oversee delivery of the Strategy and Investment Plan as well as considering the impact of the devolution agenda.

The Chair thanked the Regeneration Policy Team Leader and asked for comments and questions.

Councillor R Bell asked how we would ensure that those that were not technically inclined did not get left behind with digital infrastructure and the growing digital economy.  He also asked if there was any data on the impact of hybrid working on the mental health and wellbeing for Council employees, and the wider workforce.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that in relation to digital connectivity, the Digital Durham website offer support, including digital skills courses, which could be accessed at the Council’s libraries for free across the county.  He noted that there were discount offers in terms of ICT equipment with support both individuals and for businesses.  He added there was also support from the CVS and links to short courses available via our local colleges.  He noted other resources included employability schemes and the skills improvement plan.

In respect of the mental health impact of hybrid working, he noted that information from the Council’s HR Department had not yet been received, however, was in the process of being of being collated. 

He noted that the 2021 Census data for County Durham it had been noted that 24 percent of people were working from home, lower than Newcastle at around 30 percent and a national average of around just over 50 percent, therefore the level of working from home appeared to be significantly lower in County Durham and the North East, perhaps as a result of the larger proportion of manufacturing jobs in our area.  He added Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for February 2022 stated that 47 percent of people had reported their mental health and wellbeing had improved, with only 17 percent stating it had deteriorated.  He concluded by explain that it was important to note issues that could arise from long periods of working from home, such as increased social anxiety, eye problems and musculoskeletal issues.

A Petty noted that those that had been through the criminal justice system often found it difficult to secure employment, and harder still to finding meaningful employment that helped in respect of mental health and wellbeing.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that was a known issue and he would be happy to speak to A Petty to pick up on the related issues.

The Vice-Chair, M Laing noted paragraph 14 of the report referred to the Strategy contribution to Health and Wellbeing outcomes and noted that the phrase often used was ‘give us 10,000 good jobs’.  He asked as regards transport, as even with new jobs being created, if we were unable to get people to those jobs, then the positive impact would be lessened.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted there were a lot of transport plans and documents, including Bus Service Improvement Plans, and it was a balance to include specific references within a report, although there were some.  He noted that regional transport was a huge issue, and another issue was that the majority of services had been privatised in the past.  He noted other discussions, such as 15-minute towns and cities, although the focus at the moment was on the economy.  He added there were five key strategic sites, Aykley Heads, Forrest Park, Jade, Integra 61 and NETPark, as well as additional industrial estates at Peterlee, Consett and Stanley, however, some communities did not have those sites ‘on their doorstep’.

M Graham left the meeting at 10.45am

The Director of Public Health noted that it was very positive that the IES was now at the delivery stage.  She noted the importance of establishing strong links with employers that were the ‘anchor institutes’ within our county.  She asked how ambitious we were in terms of the work with our larger partner organisations.  Prof C Clarke noted that there was a lot of work with the University, especially in the area of life sciences innovations, and noted she would be happy to liaise with any colleagues from the Local Authority as appropriate. 

The Regeneration Policy Team Leader thanked Prof C Clarke and noted that it was important to work as close as possible with our large partners, such as Durham University.

K Burrows praised the inclusive approach that was being taken by the Economic Partnership, noting that more and more she finds that people are already aware of issues that may impact them and are already working together, a very positive sign.  She added that the role and importance of the CVS must not be understated, in terms of both the positive impact upon our economy in County Durham, but also on the mental health and wellbeing of our residents.  She added that their contribution, relative to the modest levels of investment required, was huge, a good example being social prescribing, helping to create jobs in local communities.

The Vice-Chair, M Laing noted that at the next development session for the Board, workforce was the topic, adding that as 70 percent of NHS Trust staff worked within County Durham and asked would whether the health and social care sector was larger than manufacturing in terms of jobs and the economy.  The Regeneration Policy Team Leader noted that they were both of a similar level and of great importance to our economy.

Resolved:

(i)       That the adopted Inclusive Economic Strategy and accompanying Delivery Plan be noted.

(ii)      That the Health and Wellbeing Board considered the activities identified in the Delivery Plan and commented upon activities that may not have been captured.

(iii)     That the Health and Wellbeing Board continue to support the implementation and development of the Delivery Plan.