Agenda item

The Chair briefly introduced the report and asked Board Members to comment on each of the work programme headings.

Board Members raised the following points:

1.              Devolution

• Cllr Tett sought clarification on the differences between the levelling up white paper and the devolution and local recovery white paper.
• Cllr Kemp suggested that health and wellbeing should be referenced within the work programme.
• Cllr Lewis emphasised the importance of engagement with residents and the community sector in relation to devolution processes.
• Cllr O’Brien referred to the complexities of mayoral combined authorities and asked that they be considered in devolution discussions and research.
• Cllr Etheridge highlighted the importance of devolution being locally led and equal treatment of all areas. He also sought clarification in relation to the white paper’s timescales.
• Cllr Collins suggested that there should be more of a focus on young people’s mental health and raised a concern in relation to the lack of mental health services available to young people in rural areas.

Philip Clifford, Senior Adviser, responded to Board Members’ comments and raised the following points:

• It was understood that the devolution and local recovery white paper would be incorporated in the levelling up white paper.
• Officers were not anticipating a significant amount of legislative reform.
• Health and wellbeing was a subject which had been raised at previous Board meetings and would be incorporated within Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and health devolution work.
• Once the levelling up white paper is published, officers will work with parish councils in relation to further devolution and to secure the best possible outcome for residents.
• Work related to ensuring equal rights for all areas would continue to be a part of the Board’s work moving forward.

2.              Levelling Up

• Cllr Smith asked that there be more of a focus on youth services in rural areas, buses and rural transport and housing and affordability. Philip said that conversations related to planning and rural transport had taken place at the last People and Places Board meeting. He added that the relevant LGA Boards could share best practice and their work programmes.

3. Economic Growth and Recovery

• Cllr Etheridge asked that further research be undertaken in relation to town centre viability and high streets under threat as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Cllr Bailey emphasised the importance of access to learning in rural areas for both young people and adults.
• Cllr Lewis referred to economic growth and recovery and reemphasised the importance of sustainability and the transition of the economy. She added that more money should be spent with local businesses to support local jobs.
• Cllr Davie and Cllr Roberts said that he would welcome wider discussion at a future Board meeting in relation to the opportunities and challenges faced by the food industry and planning, particularly in relation to future employment.
• Cllr Leaver asked that information related to service delivery in rural areas, skills shortages, apprenticeships and key areas of council activity, particular in relation to social care and social work, be submitted to a future meeting of the Board.

4. Digital Connectivity

• Cllr Collins, Cllr Davie and Philip would liaise with one another outside of the meeting in relation to Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5. Employment and Skills

• Cllr Chapman-Allen asked a question which related to the connection between supply and demand across the sector at present as well as in the future and the risk to employment and skills in a ‘post-covid world’.
• Cllr Kemp suggested that more information related to disabilities and employment be added to paragraph 20 of the report.

Jasbir Jhas, Senior Adviser, responded to Board Members’ comments and raised the following points:

• Labour market challenges, digital and blended learning would key focuses over the next couple of years through work local. Jas encouraged Board Members to submit their suggestions to policy officers in relation to points of focus.
• Further work would be undertaken in relation to job accessibility, information would be included within the further education white paper.

6. UK Shared Prosperity Fund

• Cllr Tett asked a question which related to timetables.
• Cllr Davie asked whether there had been any communication with government Ministers in relation to the community renewal fund (CRF) delay.
• Cllr Cornell expressed her concern in relation to the significant amount of resource injected into bidding processes.
• Cllr Bailey emphasised the importance of having agile processes and accurate and fair growth measures.

Paul Green, Policy Adviser, responded to Board Members’ comments and raised the following points:

• In relation to the CRF pilot scheme, announcement of the successful programmes was expected to be received between September and October.
• Officers continued to work on a task force with central government to ensure that the voices of local government were heard.
• Cllr Bentley, Chair of the People and Places Board, had written a letter to Ministers to alert them of the significant impact of the delay for the CRF.

Decision:

Board Members agreed the draft work programme, subject to final sign-off by Lead Members.