Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Economic Growth and Housing)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Economic Growth and Housing) that updated on, and sought comments on, progress with the Sefton Economic Strategy Action Plan (with a focus on the new Crosby Library project and the Bootle’s Regeneration).

The report indicated that on 3 November 2022 Cabinet approved the final version of the Sefton Economic Strategy for publication; noted further work scheduled for 2023 on the development of an associated Action Plan and appropriate monitoring points; delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Place (Economic Growth and Housing), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, to approve the Action Plan and Monitoring Reports as set out under the recommendations; and that the Cabinet Member subsequently approved the proposed process and method for Implementing the Action Plan in March 2023.

The report also provided information on:

·       Governance and reporting processes

·       Economic dashboard that provided a summary of quarter 2 (Jul-Sept 2023) economic performance against each of the four key strategic objectives and sub-sets

·       Sefton Economic Strategy Action Plan-Key highlights in relation to Business Growth and Investment, business enquiries, Sefton Economic Forum /Business events and workshops, future funding via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and inward investment at Mersey Reach, Land North of Formby, Atlantic Park, Southport Business Park, Key Account Management and GSI Information Management

·       Employment and Access to Work in relation to Sefton@work - Ways to Work continuation/interim funding, Ways to Work – UKSPF funding for 2024/25, LCR-CA Mayoral Young Persons Guarantee, Sefton@work Service Updates, Voluntary Routeway, Mental Health Awareness Raising, Digital Inclusion, New Employment opportunities, New Agreement with Citizens Advice, Client Feedback, Social Value – Sainsbury’s Southport recruitment, National Recognition for Social Mobility and the Sefton Caring Business Charter Update

·       Sefton Adult Community Learning Service

·       NEET Reduction and Early Intervention Service

·       Regenerated Places which included a range of projects being supported through Southport Town Deal and that formed part of the Southport Town Deal programme for generating economic growth; Bootle Strand Repurposing; Ainsdale Coastal Gateway - Ainsdale Beach Improvement Works; Ainsdale Toilet Refurbishment and Changing Places Toilets; former Sands Public House, Ainsdale; and Ainsdale Neighbourhood Centre, Sandbrook Way

·       Housing issues including the delivery of housing development targets and on Sandway Homes’ developments at Hey Farm Gardens (Barton’s Close, Crossens) and Sandy Brook (Meadow Lane, Ainsdale)

·       Tourism activity associated with Destination Marketing, Major Events, Conferences and Sales, Salt & Tar, Seafront Operations, Southport Market, Visitor Economy Strategy and Visitor Economy led regeneration projects such as MLEC

·       Planning activity in relation to the delivery of a wide range of regulatory performance indicators and that for the purposes of the economic strategy these focussed on increased employment floorspace for industrial and storage uses; social value opportunities generated from planning applications and contributions to new employment; and that there was also a shared Sefton Key Performance Indicator with housing for new net dwellings built per annum

·       Social Inclusion and Access for All which included the establishment of a Corporate Equality Group to support the Council with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33