Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Daniel Gardiner, Adviser, to the Board. Daniel outlined a draft set of aims to frame the LGA’s policy engagement on trade and investment over the coming year, informed by the LGA’s engagement in this area to date. Daniel then outlined the proposed next steps for the LGA to take these aims forward with government and key national stakeholders.

Members made the following comments:

Regarding the draft aims in paragraphs 5-17, there was concern expressed by Board members that the language in this draft runs the risk of being perceived by the Department as confrontational, and the tone needs to reflect that local authorities want to deliver on ambitions shared by central government to work in partnership.

There needs to be a more place-based approach to engagement and delivery from the Department for International Trade, in order to provide a good opportunity for local authorities to engage with SMEs.

There is an opportunity to better understand and evidence the experience of SMEs under the current system, potentially through engagement with the FSB.

The principles present a good opportunity to draw on existing good practice through examples from both this Board and the City Regions Board as well as highlighting the differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.

Regarding the proposed next steps, members agreed it would be valuable to invite a senior official from DIT to attend the next Board and this could be used in part as an opportunity to showcase what local government can offer in this space. Members were also particularly positive about the proposal to progress work in this area with the LEP Network.

Decisions:

Members agreed the amended draft aims that will be used to frame the LGA’s engagement on trade and investment over the coming year, subject to comments on the tone with which these are presented (paras 5-17).

Members approved the proposed next steps for the LGA’s trade and investment work (paras 22-23).

Actions:

1.    For officers to amend draft principles in line with the feedback from members.

2.    For officers to consider evidencing experience of SMEs and local case studies to back up these principles.

3.    For officers to take forward the proposed next steps.