Agenda item

Dave Simmons from the Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion highlighted the role of local authorities in shaping and delivering employment opportunities and skills training to meet the specific needs of localities.  He paid particular attention to the challenge of addressing youth unemployment and highlighted a number of ways councils could help drive the employment and skills agenda in their localities.

Stephen Joseph from Campaign for Better Transport outlined the priorities and challenges for local growth from a transport perspective.  These included: making the case for a devolved transport funding settlement; diversity in performance and accountability of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs); the implications of decreasing funding on bus provision and road maintenance; and integrating transport planning within the wider devolution debate. 

In the discussion that followed, Members’ made a number of comments, including:

·         Member suggested that as part of the work programme, the Board develop a series of key ‘asks’ which clearly articulate what ‘devolution’ means in practice from and Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport (EEHT) perspective. 

Economy and Skills

·         There was strong feeling that the next round of growth deals must be more inclusive and recognise the value of rural as well as urban economies in driving growth.

·         Members discussed maximising the value of recent LGA research which highlighted the centralised and fragmented nature of the current funding landscape. Particular concern was expressed regarding the financial and resource implications of bidding for multiple funding streams.

·         Addressing the gap between employment opportunities and skills and training services was seen as a key priority, both in terms of adults and young people.  Members emphasised the importance of making the case for empowering local authorities to join up employment and skills services at a local level.  It was suggested that a task and finish group focus on addressing youth unemployment and under-employment. 

Transport

·         There was a detailed discussion regarding Strategic Transport Infrastructure Plans and linking strategic transport planning to the wider devolutionary debate, particularly around the devolution of revenue funding and integrated services.  Suggestions included: developing a single transport fund pilot; promoting greater cross boundary collaboration; and giving local authorities’ powers in Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to civil enforcement of traffic contraventions.

·         Active travel was highlighted as an important issue with regard to transport planning, particularly with reference to local authorities’ environmental and public health responsibilities. 

·         There was an acknowledgement that in additional to strategic considerations, operational issues were also of importance to the Board given their significant impact on communities.