Agenda item

The Chairman invited Glenn Athey, Principal Consultant - Cambridge Econometrics, and Eleanor Law, Adviser, to introduce the report and present and series of slides to the Board.

Eleanor briefly introduced the report which provided Members of the Board with an update on the “Vision for Urban Growth and Recovery” work, which was agreed at the meeting of the City Regions Board on 30 September 2020.

Glenn presented a series of slides which set out the project’s progress to date in relation to driving national economy and growth and welcomed comments and questions from Board Members.

Members made the following comments:

• How will less offices and increased working from home affect younger people? Age and home conditions need to be considered, there will be implications on staff that need to be recognised.

• We need to consider the role of urban areas in relation to the rural areas around them. In terms of regeneration, regenerating an urban area affects the areas around them in terms of the positive nature of the economy that’s created.

• Digital exclusion is a problem for our children and young people in terms of accessing education. It will continue to be a problem because the jobs that will be lost are likely to be replaced with jobs that need more digital competence than the ones that people had before in hospitality and retail sectors. As city leaders and city councillors, we must ensure that we do all we can to equip people with jobs as we come out of this difficult time.

• In terms of gender balance and equality, I am pleased to see reference to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities but we need to do more, specifically with regards to the economy and the impact on women moving forward (caring professions, flexible working etc).

• Many towns have untapped potential to stimulate the high street and economic growth locally. There is an opportunity for niche businesses to start and if they are supported, we could see business growth, reinvigorate smaller towns and high streets, and make it better for people that live in these smaller areas.

• Towns, cities, and villages need to work in partnership to ensure that residents see the growth that we’re all collectively trying to achieve and the success that we want for everyone that we represent.

• In terms of universal credit, how will that impact regeneration?

• We need to look at our relationship with the benefits system in relation to increased poverty in urban areas.

• In order for local authorities to lead the recovery, we need both adequate financial capacity and financial stability, long-term settlement is a key element of that.

• Equality and deprivation issues are predominant within urban areas and must be addressed.

• Covid-19 has decimated public transport. It’s important to think about the contribution of severed transport links to impacting and slowing recovery.

Glenn and Eleanor noted the comments and concerns raised by Members of the Board.

Decision:

Members noted the report.

Action/s:

Officers to continue to work with Cambridge Econometrics to submit a further report to the Board in March 2021.