Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Jacqui Gedman, Mike Hawking, Peter O’Brien and Liz Town-Andrews.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests at the meeting.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press and public.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 16 September be approved.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the development of an approach on Inclusive Growth.

The Panel welcomed the refreshed draft framework and made the following comments:

·       That the indicative pipeline was a welcome starting point for putting the framework into practice, and that there was a case for rebalancing the suggested activities to further increase the regional support proposed for the third sector.

·       That clearer links should be made to specific opportunities for inclusive growth. Members discussed access to good jobs and skills in the health and social care sector and delivering on the ambition of a green net zero economy.

·       To note the importance of the third sector to delivering an inclusive economic recovery as well as ensuring the success of the healthcare system.

·       That it was vital that the framework informed the work of the other Panels and Committees beyond the Inclusive Growth Panel, including through the work of proposed Inclusive Growth Champions.

Resolved:

(i)              That the report be noted.

(ii)             That the Panel’s feedback be noted.

The Panel considered a report which set out the importance of the third sector and its role in delivering an inclusive economic recovery.

A task and finish group had been convened by the Panel Chair to consider the position of the third sector.

The main findings of the group, which were endorsed by the Panel, included the following:

·       There was a working understanding of the third sector, but more research and data was necessary to fully make the case for supporting and investing in the sector.

·       It was proposed to commission further focused and proportionate work on filling the key evidence gaps in our understanding.

·       That significant financial and operational pressures facing thethird sector and the need to ‘pivot’ and re-write its business plans to remain viable.

·       That there was a strong case for the LEP and Combined Authority to adopt principles for supporting the third sector.

Resolved: That the work of the task and finish group be noted.

The Panel considered a report which set out the work underway to develop the concept of a good work standard.

Panel members considered several options for progressing a Good Work standard and made the following comments:

·             Members felt that adapting an existing Good Work model, such as that of Greater Manchester, could strike a balance between the desire to deliver at pace while adapting if necessary, to the West Yorkshire context. It could also ensure strong alignment with other standards across the north and secure local buy-in.

·             Members discussed the need to centre values of diversity and equity up front in the good work standard.

·             Members also discussed whether the real living wage should be included in the good work standard or whether, in light of the pandemic, it may curtail business take-up with the good work standard.

Resolved:

(i)              That the regional proposal to develop and deliver a fit for purpose approach to encouraging better employment behaviours and practices across all sectors of the economy to deliver an inclusive economic recovery be noted.

(ii)             That an engagement exercise would be undertaken with third, private and public sector employers test views on how the GM model could be built on.

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on of the key findings from the Leeds City Region Housing Affordability and Need Study.

Resolved: That the report be noted.