Issue - meetings

Report of Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills updating them on progress with regard to implementation of the recommendations of the former Aspiration, Future Economy and Enterprise All Party Work Group (schedule 1 to the signed minutes).

The Aspiration, Future Economy and Enterprise All Party Working Group had undertaken an overview project to consider “How can we in Staffordshire raise aspirations around lifelong career learning and upskilling, ensuring all local people can progress into ‘better jobs’ throughout their working life?” and “Given the impacts of Covid-19 and looking to our future local economy, how can we ensure that the Staffordshire workforce – of all ages – remain ambitious for their future, and how can we encourage entrepreneurship?” during 20/21.

At their meeting on 16 June 2021, Cabinet considered the final reports from these two investigations together with initial Executive Responses from portfolio holders which provided a planned course of action/update against each recommendation. These were subsequently received by Cabinet and agreed.

During his presentation of the report the Cabinet Member highlighted:- (i) the work which had recently been undertaken to develop the ‘Staffordshire Story’ and ‘We are Staffordshire’ brand; (ii) outreach work to promote aspiration through the provision of digital resources; (iii) work to support Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce ‘Ignite Programme’ encouraging students to develop their hidden entrepreneurship; (iv) the operation of Staffordshire’s Business and Rural Loans Schemes; (v) work to increase provision of suitable sites for business growth involving the regeneration of Shire Hall, Stafford, Burton Library and Rugeley Power Station into enterprise hubs and; (vi) the sustainable approach being adopted to encouraging aspiration having regard to the Authority’s recent declaration of a climate change emergency.            

Members reviewed the progress made against the 17 Recommendations contained in the Action Plan (attached as an Appendix to the report) in turn to ensure that they continued to address the various issues highlighted and were timely, giving detail scrutiny and asking questions where necessary. 

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the former Aspiration, Future Economy and Enterprise All Party Work Group, be welcomed.

(c) That a further update on progress be brought to the Committee at their July 2022 meeting (to be combined with the already programmed ‘Economic Renewal and Transformation – Six Monthly Recovery Update’ item).