Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Darren Byford, Councillor Richard Foster, Dean Cook, John Eaglesham, Sandy Needham, Dr Peter O’Brien, Mark Robson and Andy Welsh.

There were no pecuniary interests declared.

There were no items on the Agenda requiring exclusion of the press and public.

That the Minutes of the Business Innovation and Growth Panel held on 7 September 2017 be approved.

The Panel was presented with an update on the Access Innovation Programme which provided a detailed presentation on the programme, including specific requests for advice and practical support with the following:

·         How can the programme attract more interest from SMEs in Leeds City Region

·         Which business networks and organisations should the programme connect with to increase interest and participation from SMEs and providers of innovation support

·         Which larger businesses in the city region are strong exemplars of continuous business innovation, and could provide support to smaller firms via the programme

·         What more could the programme do to incentivise R & D investment by SME’s

The Panel provided some feedback on how the programme could be better promoted to the SME community in Leeds City Region, including the importance of engaging with the private sector intermediary network e.g. banks, accountants and legal practices.  It was also noted that the programme is a good opportunity for the city region’s universities to actively engage with a much higher number of SMEs and that although this has recently increased, the level of engagement to date in the programme by universities has been lower than expected.

The Panel also made other suggestions of organisations that could help increase engagement with the programme, including the Universities  Knowledge Transfer Network and the Engineering Employers’ Federation.

Resolved:  That the update and feedback on the Access Innovation Programme be noted, and that the CA/LEP and the city region’s universities will work together more closely to increase the volume and quality of SME projects supported.

The Panel was presented with a report which set out the CA’s new proposed approach to inclusive growth, particularly to target Strategic target inclusive growth outcomes by adding stretching and proportionate criteria to the grants awarded to business.  The report also described the ongoing testing and consultation with private sector partners, including previous grant-recipients to ensure desired impacts were achieved.  Views were sought from the Panel on the proposed new approach and criteria.

Resolved:  That the feedback and views of the panel were noted.  And that a further report will, following a wider consultation exercise, be brought to the next meeting in advance of any of the proposed changes being finalised.

The Panel was provided with an update on inward investment which included seven new investments since the last panel report in September creating 158 new jobs.

Resolved: That the update on inward investment activity and feedback be noted.

The Panel was provided with an update on key activities within the International Trade Plan and an overview of the current trade performance figures which included:

·         Trade Performance and Outlook

·         Trade Plan Activities

·         Department for International Trade

·         Exporting for Growth (EIG)

Resolved:  That the update and feedback on International Trade Activity be noted.

The Panel was informed of the move towards a local industrial strategy, putting the region’s tech strengths to the fore of creating a growing and more inclusive economy and was asked to provide views on the direction of the city region approach including:

·         The emerging work on local industrial strategy, putting tech at the fore to drive inclusive growth outcomes.

·         National and local activity on the recommendations of both the reviews and suggest ways to take forward this agenda to Leeds City Region.

Resolved:  That the views of the Panel on the emerging work on Local Inclusive industry strategy be noted and incorporated into the work programme.

The Panel was provided with an update on the Leeds City Region Science and Innovation Audit process to date and were asked to note the progress made to develop the Science and Innovation Audit and emerging propositions.

The Leeds City Region Science and Innovation Audit, led by the University of Leeds has now been officially published. A launch event in Leeds in November celebrated the completion of the audit and invited stakeholders to engage in the development of the emerging propositions.

Resolved:  That the progress made to date be noted.

The Panel was provided with an update on business support activity being undertaken including the LEP Growth Service, the LEP Capital Grants Programme, the Resource Efficiency Fund (REF), Strategic Business Growth, the Travel Plan Network and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund which included:

·         LEP Growth Service

·         Progress to date

·         Service Developments

·         Marketing and Communication

·         Events

·         Current Programme

·         Business Floods Recovery Fund

·         Resource Efficiency Fund

·         Strategic Business Growth – support for SME’s with high growth potential

·         Travel Plan Network

·         Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Resolved:  That the progress made on delivery of the business support projects, programmes and services be noted.

7 March 2018, 14.00 – 16.00, Committee Room A

 Wednesday 7 March 2018 14:00 PM – Committee Room A, Wellington House, Leeds