Agenda item

The Panel, Group and Committee Chairs were thanked for their updates which were presented to the Board for information and, in discussing and noting the reports, the following comments were made:

Members were advised that at a recent meeting, the Business Communications Group had supported the role of the LEP and for a merged geography covering West and North Yorkshire.  It was considered that the meeting, which had been attended by the LEP Chair, had been positive and the Group had welcomed the engagement and discussion.  The Board recognised the value of the Group’s contributions and views and it was suggested that opportunities for further engagement with small businesses through the Group should be considered. 

In respect of the Business Innovation and Growth Panel update, Andrew Wright thanked those who had contributed to the digital consultation which had recently closed. He highlighted the launch of the productivity pilot, ring-fencing part of the Business Growth Programme (BGP) funds to focus on increased quality rather than quantity of jobs, measured by productivity improvement. The research on international trade from Leeds City Region had shown the pre-eminence of pharmaceuticals and med-tech exports as major strengths to build on.

Members commented on the success of the Business Growth Programme in securing investment leverage of 1:10 and the contribution of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund in contributing £11.5m of its funds to businesses in our region in its first 18 months. Members also suggested tapping more fully into the business networks of companies with strong reach into SMEs to promote uptake of technological innovation. The issue of uninsured businesses in York and Leeds affected following the Boxing Days floods was highlighted, with a request for the LEP to help address this issue as it affects businesses across the City Region.   

The Board noted the Growth Deal summary dashboard for quarter 4 of 2017/18 which was attached at Appendix 3 to the Investment Committee update which had been submitted to CLoG by the July deadline.  It was reported that due to the schedule of meetings it had not been possible to bring it to the LEP Board for endorsement prior to submission and it had therefore been signed off, as required, by the Combined Authority’s Section 73 officer and LEP Chair. 

Resolved:  That the updates be noted.