Issue - meetings

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Pandor, Director: Liz Hunter)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    notes the progress made to support the Health Innovation agenda.

b)    approves and endorses the vision and direction for the partnership set out by the West Yorkshire Healthtech Strategy and that the Combined Authority adopts it as part of the Strategic Economic Framework.

Members received an update on work to develop the region’s Health Innovation agenda and were requested to approve the partnership Healthtech Strategy.

The role the Healthtech Strategy could play in tackling entrenched inequalities was praised by Members, as well as its potential to attract international investment and create well-paid jobs. It was noted that West Yorkshire was already highly recognised in regards to healthtech, and the work being done could make the region into a global leader. However, it would be vital to ensure that these benefits were spread across the region as a whole, and further detail on monitoring was requested within the action plan.

Members thanked the Healthtech Cluster Group and other partners for their contributions in developing the Strategy, as well as the LEP Board and Business, Economy and Innovation Committee for their valuable feedback. The diverse range of people engaged in the work was also praised by Members.

It was noted that the Levelling Up white paper released by Government earlier in the week had noted the increase research and development funding outside of London, Oxford and Cambridge, but that the named areas had not included West Yorkshire. This was disappointing, but officers advised that they planned to raise this in discussion with Government and work to ensure that the region was next in line for any further funding, and the Healthtech Strategy and its strong action plan would be of great benefit in these efforts. It was noted this was an area that the region could make strong accomplishments in regardless of government funding, though better results could be achieved with further support.

The twin benefits of the Healthtech Strategy to the economy and to the region’s health were emphasised, and Members underlined the role of technology in tackling health inequalities.

Cllr Robinson declared an interest in the item, as he worked within the tech sector.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    notes the progress made to support the Health Innovation agenda.

b)    approves and endorses the vision and direction for the partnership set out by the West Yorkshire Healthtech Strategy and that the Combined Authority adopts it as part of the Strategic Economic Framework.