Lancashire Local Area Agreement
Economic Development Theme Group
ndTuesday 2 March 2010 at 10am – 1pm
Cabinet Room D - County Hall, Preston
Notes & Actions
In attendance: Aidan Murphy (LCC – LAA Policy Officer)
Alison Davies (Burnley Borough Council)
Ann Fitzgerald (UCLAN)
Anne Ainsworth (LCC – Economic Policy Manager)
Anne-Marie Morgan (LCC – Corporate HR)
Barrie Moreton (LCC – LAA)
Bill Kindon (Lancaster City Council)
Bina Limbachia (LCC – Corporate HR)
Carol Melia (Jobcentre Plus)
David Presto (Rossendale Borough Council)
Hanna Latty (Pendle Borough Council)
Ian Filbin (LCC – LAA)
Imtiaz Shah (Pendle Borough Council)
Jo Turner (LCC – LAA)
Jon Powell (Lancaster University)
Kath Buddle (LCC – Policy Officer)
Keith Launchbury (Preston City Council)
Khalid Saifullah (Business Link North West)
Kulli Paddan (Wyre Borough Council)
Lisa Quinn (LCC – LAA)
Melissa Watts (Ribble Valley Borough Council)
Michelle Arthur (Preston City Council)
Mike Townson (LCC – LAA)
Nuala Lewis (Chorley Borough Council)
Paula Huber (West Lancs Borough Council)
Peter Scott (Lancashire LSC)
Phil Russell (LCC – LAA)
Raeleen Duthoit (Lancashire Work-Based Learning Executive Forum)
Rebecca Lawlor (LAA Housing Indicator Lead)
Tim Kenyon (LCC – Learning Access + Policy)
Vladimir Pejcinovic (Hyndburn Borough Council)
Apologies: Steve Dean (LAA Economy Theme Lead), Rachel Dyer (Lancashire Probation), Nikki
Bell (LCC Finance), Cath Burns (Chorley BC), Anne Gornall (LSC), Charlotte Iddon (LCC - Corporate
HR), Jennifer Clough (South Ribble Borough Council), Ian Lapping (Jobcentre Plus) & Paul Pinnington
(Government Office NW).
1. Welcome & Apologies
Barrie Moreton (LCC-LAA) opened the meeting and asked partners to
introduce themselves.
2. Review of Notes & Actions from previous meeting/Matters arising
Item 3) Beacon Open day – Mike Townson (Beacon Coordinator)
reported that it was a successful event with over 100 attendees
and extended thanks to partners. All presentations and case
studies can be found on the website see;
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/lcdl/events/economic_p
rosperity/index.asp
Lancashire Local Area Agreement; 1 Economy Theme Group Meeting
Item 4) Lancashire Work Based Learning Executive Forum to present
Advanced Apprenticeship new data down load at next meeting. thDownload scheduled this Friday 5 March 2010 from LSC.
Also noted Service Level Agreement for LWBLEF is waiting
clearance from Legal Services.
Item 6) Big Ticket Issues – Martin Kelly, Director of Economic
Development is now leading on this. Thanks were noted for
Nick Briggs of Lancashire Economic Partnership for all his help
over the years, he has moved to work for Lancashire Sport
Partnership.
AOB Thanks was extended to Keith Launchbury at Preston City
Council who is hosting the next LAA Economic Development
thTheme meeting on Tuesday 20 April 2010 at 10am, at
Preston City Council, The Council Chamber, Town Hall,
Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL.
thWith one amendment (page 3), the draft notes of the last meeting on 12
January 2010, were agreed as a true record.
3. District & Partner Updates
Pendle Borough Council (Hanna Latty & Imtiaz Shah) – advised Sainsbury's
development ongoing; Pendle BC are considering the best use of the section
106 money to regenerate Colne Town Centre; advised they are a member of
the Evolve network, promoting vacancies, training and placement opportunities
in the area.
Further details: http://www.pendle.gov.uk/a_to_z/service/1018/pendle_evolve
Business Link North West (Khalid Saifullah) – they are hosting an event this thThursday 4 March 2010 for ISUS providers looking at the customer journey thand on Thursday 11 March 2010 an Equality and Human Rights event
looking at procurement in public, private and third sector, for more details see
website. They are also developing an offer of business support targeted at
businesses under 3 years old in partnership with the local authorities.
Lancaster CC (Bill Kindon) – 2 vacancies for FJF now with Jobcentre Plus
and their Council have identified 5 jobs for next year. The Lancaster &
Morecambe worklessness project (supported by the LSP) is approaching the
end of its first year. Despite the current economic climate, the project is close
to meeting its targets, except around sustainable employment. The project is
now extending to offer support in vulnerable households which will provide
more referrals for the main project. Rent Grant scheme progressing well,
there are 11 businesses with offers for this year; rural development
programmes doing ok, with 3 offers out in North Lancs. Lancaster are hosting tha Lancaster District Business Advice Night on 14 April 2010 at 4pm at The
Hexagon, Lancaster & Morecambe College.
Registration at: www.lancaster.gov.uk/business
Lancashire Local Area Agreement; 2 Economy Theme Group Meeting
Hyndburn BC (Vladimir Pejcinovic) – their economic development has been
devolved to Regenerate (Pennine Lancs EDC) and governance and
accountability arrangements are being developed. The section 106
agreement for Whitebirk is in the final stage of agreement and in Accrington
there is a new Tesco, generating ?1m in section 106 funds for the
development of the town centre and ?2 million is to be spent on the Town
Market Hall which will create approx. 22 business units.
Multi Area Agreements (Anne Ainsworth) – of the 3 MAA's, Pennine
Lancashire has been signed off and NWDA funding secured so that
Regenerate (Pennine Lancs EDC), is nearly ready to start delivery; the Fylde
MAA was signed in October and an economic development company is
'under construction'. The Mid Lancs MAA is in the final stages of
development. The aim is to complete and submit by end of March 2010. It is
focusing on unlocking the potential of the M6 corridor. The Mid-Lancs cluster
isn't asking for much funding, but is concentrating on changing policy and
using pump priming.
ACTION: Anne Ainsworth to supply a briefing for partners of the current MAA
picture.
Rossendale BC (David Presto & Rebecca Lawlor) – DP reported the
Community Animators outreach/worklessness project has engaged with 110
participants – 11 have secured work; they have 10 vacancies for FJF and
there are 8 vacancies in VCFS; ?210,000 secured from the economic
efficiency partnership for travelling (covering Rossendale, Ribble valley and
Pendle) One-Stop-Shop which is a 5 year project in partnership with Help
Direct.
LCC Corporate HR (Anne-Marie Morgan) – all district partners engaged in
two tier working; there are 4x FJF opportunities in Mid Lancs and the closing
date for applicants is 8th March 2010; discussions are ongoing for possibly 100 opportunities for next year and Anne-Marie introduced Bina Limbachia to
the group who is leading on FJF.
Burnley BC (Alison Davies) - reported that there are 16x FJF jobs in Burnley;
they have an apprentice starting in April; had a very successful jobs-fair in
February (630 attended); close to securing ERDF for a public realm scheme
to develop and improve the area around the Burnley College/UCLAN site,
which will incorporate a high growth enterprise facility. BBC is working with
NWDA.
Ribble Valley BC (Melissa Watts) – fully included in No-Limits offer and fully
engaged with Regenerate; currently 3 vacancies under FJF, but are seeking
to increase the offer; support being offered to 80 staff (60 of these live in the
village of Chipping) being made redundant in the area from HJ Berry's.
UCLAN (Ann Fitzgerald) – update on business starts recorded to 131.
Chorley BC (Nuala Lewis) – are running the Intense Start Up Project and have evidence from Business Link to show an increase in new starts; the
Chorley redundancy task force is ongoing and Chorley Community Housing
have offered 2 vacancies for next years FJF.
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LSC (Peter Scott) – LSC comes to an end this month and becomes the Skills
Funding Agency and Young Peoples Learning Agency. Peter will continue to
work on MAA's and LAA along with Anne Gornall and Rosie Gregson. Will
continue to develop wrap around support for FJF and develop offer on 18-24
year olds with Jobcentre Plus, including continuing to increase sector route
way options. Hope to have contacts for circulation at next meeting.
Lancashire Work-Based Learning Executive Forum (Raeleen Duthoit) –
said she had been asked by the National Apprenticeship Service to attend
any events for BME employers to promote Apprenticeships. Raeleen asked if
any partners knew of or were holding any events that she could be involved
with. Please contact her direct on raeleen@btconnect.com
Jobcentre Plus (Carol Melia) – Backing Young Britain current focus, all JCP offices now have two dedicated teams (one each for 18-24 year olds + over
25's) even though 18-24 age group is 30% of their workload 50% of their staff
are dedicated to this work; unemployment rose slightly after Christmas (which
was expected); FJF issues have been ironed out - 281 placements have been
filled in the Cumbria & Lancashire area with 140 in the last month. There has
been an increase from 8 to 17 sector route ways, resulting in 71 vacancies
filled in Nov and Dec, 46 in Jan.
Preston CC (Michelle Arthur & Keith Launchbury) – Preston Employment
Partnership (PEP) and FJF on going. PEP is running a series of road shows
over the summer. There is an outstanding bid with Flexible New Deal as PEP
is hoping to be sustainable beyond the Working Neighbourhoods Funding;
developing the Community Food Growing scheme which will support people
with mental health and disabilities issues using mentoring and coaching (just
need to agree location).
Thanks to Business Link for their support. The have made a bid to the LSP to
consider enterprise coaching and are keen to work with other districts to look
at cross boundary working and to strengthen the partnership bid.
LCC Learning Access + Policy (Tim Kenyon) – considering the 14-19 yrs
Reform update, progression routes and access to Higher Education in line
with the Brown Review (regarding student finances); working with Lancashire
Student Services looking at getting the best deal and developing strategies
for student choice making.
Future Jobs Fund (Ian Filbin) – Mid Lancs FJF going quite well trying to maintain momentum into next year; have completed appraisals of new
partners and have made a commitment to roll-on to next year; extended
thanks to partners for all their help.
Wyre BC (Kulli Paddan) – advised 15x FJF jobs in YMCA, 6 in Wyre BC and 5 at Myerscough College, with the remaining vacancies (up to 64) to be
carried over to post-April; Wyred Up and Find Your Way Event Thursday 4th
March 2010 and have 120 business registrations so far; there are 2 bids in
the PRG, one for StartNow, one for Wyred Up; waiting on ?450,000 ERDF for
environmental improvements.
Lancaster University (Jon Powell) – as an enterprise champion they are impact not target driven; he promoted their Enterprise Start-up Fund /
National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship which has secured a 3year
extension, it supports 20-25 new business start ups per year.
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West Lancashire Borough Council (Paula Huber) – noted thanks to LCC
Corporate HR who met with their Chief Executive last week, also thanks and
recognition to Kath Fearn who was made redundant last week and also to
Pete Trewin who leaves this month. Advised working closer with Business
Link NW and gave an update on Lancashire West Rural Programme.
4. Big Ticket Issue
Aidan Murphy (LCC-LAA Policy Officer) gave a brief update on indicator focus
and advised looking at links to other strategies. Lead Officer now Martin Kelly, thDirector of Economic Development. On 16 April 2010 need to report back to
the Executive.
Barrie Moreton (LCC-LAA) circulated a document to the group and discussed.
Khalid Saifullah (Business Link NW) – noted that they had recently completed research about high growth businesses and this can be shared with partners.
5. Q3 Performance Report & Q4 reporting deadline
Barrie Moreton (LCC-LAA) referred to document circulated with papers which
highlights what we have tried to do.
6. GONW Refresh Position
Barrie Moreton (LCC-LAA) referred to above document and the following
targets were confirmed and agreed by the Theme Group:
NI 153 Worklessness – the new target is to maintain or improve Lancashire's
position compared to the North West, currently this is at 2.8%.
NI 152 Worklessness – the new target is to maintain or improve Lancashire's
position compared to the North West, currently this is at 2.8%.
NI 155 Number of affordable homes – small reduction which has been agreed.
NI 163 Level 2 & NI 165 Level 4 - not up for renegotiation, on current trends don't think will reach this target.
NI 166 Average earnings – base line 98.7 for Lancashire and regional figure, suggested reduction to 98.1%, this is a moving average and a broad indicator
of GVA.
NI 171 Business registration rate – constantly changing figure, should we offer 49 or 50 registrations per 10,000 population, suggested 50 and this was
agreed by the group.
7. Map of Lancashire LSC Interventions
Peter Scott (LSC) referred to papers previously circulated and noted they
attempt to capture on a single sheet of paper all of the LSC provision plus
Jobcentre Plus and other partners interventions for the In Employment,
Facing Redundancy and Unemployed categories. He advised the document
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is constantly changing and the difficulty is in keeping it up to date. Partners
agreed this was a very useful document.
ACTION: Peter Scott to up date the above and circulate.
8. Equality & Diversity Assessment
Kath Buddle (LCC Policy Officer) advised that 'Narrowing the Gaps' is the
Lancashire Partnership's toolkit for identifying priorities for all our communities
and embedding actions to address those priorities within the Lancashire Local
Area Agreement. Primarily, it is an Equality and Cohesion Impact Assessment
process which, as well as helping us to improve the quality of life for all
people living in Lancashire, also helps us meet a number of audit and
statutory requirements.
The toolkit has now been completed with the support of partners and the
priorities agreed by the members of the LAA Economic Theme Group.
Each member of the group was asked to join their preferred of 3 workshops:
? Skills - NI 163, NI 165
? Business Enterprise – NI 166, NI 171
? Employability – NI 152, NI 153
The outcome of this exercise is to develop and agree upon an Equality &
Diversity action plan for the financial year 2011 / 2012. Once agreed, this will
be presented to the Equality & Diversity board for further comments.
ACTION: Kath Buddle, Phil Russell and Mike Townson to summarise outcomes
of workshops, circulate and propose some draft actions for discussion
at the next meeting.
9. Any Other Business
None
Next meeting at a New Venue: Tuesday 20th April 2010, Preston City Council,
The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL. For
directions please click here
thAlso: Tuesday 25 May 2010, 10am – Cabinet Room D, County Hall thTuesday 13 July 2010, 10am – Cabinet Room D, County Hall thTuesday 24 August 2010, 10am – Cabinet Room D, County Hall thTuesday 12 October 2010, 10am – Cabinet Room D, County Hall thTuesday 30 November 2010, 10am – Cabinet Room D, County Hall
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