Agenda item

Local Industrial Strategy and Policy Framework

Second session:

-   to review the conclusions of the research commission reports completed since the last meeting and consider emerging thoughts and policy implications

-   to receive an update on progress in the development of the wider policy framework that the Local Industrial Strategy is a part of

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Policy, Strategy & Communications providing an update of progress in developing a Local Industrial Strategy and integrated Policy Framework.

 

Following questions and discussion, the Committee concluded that:

 

1.    Previously, ‘Ageing Society’ and ‘Clean Growth’ appeared to be the two strongest focuses for the region but the research has revealed new opportunities and strengths in the other two Grand Challenges (‘Artificial Intelligence / Data’ and ‘Future Mobility’). This provides more strategic opportunities but makes the ultimate decision more difficult.

 

2.    In practice, each Local Industrial Strategy is a local expression of national policy. The four ‘Grand Challenges’ were identified by central government as the biggest challenges facing the country. Each region is required to find out which challenge its local strengths and assets can help improve the most at a national level.

 

3.    The two main concerns arising from a locally owned strategy that is co-developed with central government:

i)     Certain local evidence or needs might be overlooked if they do not quite fit with national priorities – for instance, focusing on the region’s weakest ‘Grand Challenge’ instead of the strongest one in order to improve it is not strategically possible.

ii)    Certain areas might be preferred over others – for instance, ‘Leeds-centric’ interventions might provide a greater ‘return on investment’ and receive more investment ahead of other areas in greater need that might not provide immediate outcomes.

 

4.    The research and strategy development process has been invaluable in identifying the region’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Regardless of the final Local Industrial Strategy, the new evidence can now be used to redevelop existing strategies and improve future service delivery in all areas – such as the ‘transport connectivity plan’ (in development) and future business support services (under review).

 

5.    The findings from comparable LEP area’s own local industrial strategies have provided useful information on how the Leeds City Region compares and can be used in future performance monitoring and benchmarking.

 

6.    The focus on ‘place’ and ‘people’ in the research was welcome. The findings have helped better outline the economic profile of more places and skills profiles of more people. This will further support ambitions to ensure that:

-   Places are sufficiently connected so that development and investment in any place can be felt and benefited from in other places.  

-   People are sufficiently skilled so that they can benefit from the opportunities presented by economic growth and improved productivity.

 

7.    A more comprehensive picture of all the individual places within the wider region will put the Combined Authority in a better position to fulfil its fundamental strategic and partnership role at a regional level.

 

8.    Much of the success and outcomes of the Local Industrial Strategy remain out of the Combined Authority’s direct control and reliant on partner councils or other partners – such as transport operators, higher education institutions and central government agencies. In the absence of direct devolved powers, lines of local accountability to achieve ‘people focused’ outcomes remain unclear – for instance in bus services and skills provision.

·         Bus services: In the past the Committee heard that ‘quality contracts’ with bus operators to strengthen ‘customer focused’ outcomes were under consideration. It is now understood that the recently formed ‘Bus Alliance’ aims to continue similar work with bus operators to improve the customer experience.

·         Skills: Although local universities contributed greatly to the research, analysis and findings of the Local Industrial Strategy – and are were well represented on advisory panels – it is not expected that the final strategy will alter or affect university courses and programmes. There is other work underway within the Combined Authority to strengthen partnership working with universities.

 

Resolved: 

 

i)     That the report be noted.

 

ii)    That further information be provided to the Committee on:

o   West Yorkshire Bus Alliance

o   Whether other combined authority areas fund disabled passes at peak times

Supporting documents: