Local Economic Growth Network community of practice: Growth Review – online debate (15 December, 9.00-10.00am)
In November 2010, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills launched the Growth Review to undertake a thorough assessment of how Government can help create the conditions for growth. One year on, is the programme removing barriers to growth? And what are the implications following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement 2011?
An online debate took place on 15 December (9.00-10.00am). The debate covered job creation and employment, skills, the rural economy and infrastructure. Importantly, the session asked: “is growth easy to commit to but hard to actually do?” The debate was chaired by Professor Glyn Owen (former director of the Policy Research Centre at Sheffield Business School), with contributions from panellists Matthew Wheatley (D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership) and Dr Gary Bosworth (Lincoln Business School).
To see the debate please log on to the Local Economic Growth Network (LEGN) community of practice: http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg. This and future debates are hosted on the Forum section of the site.
Downloads
Growth Review Online Debate Summary
EMC/DWP Work Programme Seminar 7 December 2011
East Midlands Councils held a seminar on 7 December to give local authorities who may not have already done so, the opportunity to meet with Jobcentre Plus and the principal Work Programme providers in the East Midlands – Ingeus and A4e. It is hoped the event will be the first step in allowing all local authorities in the region to fully play their part in delivery of the Work Programme, the government’s flagship programme to tackle unemployment.
The event began with a series of short presentations on the Work Programme and the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues, followed by the opportunity to meet individually with the Work Programme team – Jobcentre Plus, Ingeus and A4e.
Downloads
Programme
Presentations
Introduction to the Work Programme - Bob Kendall - Jobcentre Plus
Role of the Work Programme Contractors - Mark Gilbert and Katie Tunstall - Ingeus
Role of the Work Programme Contractors - Nick Sharman - A4e
The local authority experience - Beverley Smith - Mansfield District Council and Phil Lyons - Mansfield Area Strategic Partnership
Local Economic Growth Network community of practice – Growing a Resilient Green Economy in the East Midlands online debate 15 November 2011
‘Enabling the transition to a green economy: Government and Businesses working together’ published jointly by Defra, BIS, and DECC in August looks ahead to 2020 and maps out planned Government action across areas including climate change, resource efficiency, waste prevention, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind generation, and the Green Deal. The document has been developed in response to requests from the private sector for greater clarity on what government means by a ‘green economy’, the policies being put in place to achieve this, and how they come together.
Meanwhile, nearer to home the appearance of photo voltaic solar panels on the roofs of houses, schools, health centres, churches, fire stations and businesses over the last 18 months, following the introduction of the Feed in Tariff is perhaps the most visible indication yet of the green economy having arrived. With the Renewable Heat Incentive, Green Deal and other policy measures also in the pipeline there are a growing number of financial incentives that can turn the serious business of tackling climate change into a more tangible local economic opportunity.
How ready is the East Midlands, in this time of austerity and uncertainty, to grasp these new opportunities to cut carbon, boost growth and create jobs? What local leadership is required and by whom?
Panellists from East Midlands Councils, Efficiency East Midlands, Stephenson College, De Montfort University, Leicestershire County Council and Change Agents will discuss major new plans for retrofitting public housing on a large scale, the potential benefits, the skills requirements, the current training and educational opportunities available and the reality of local employment in this rapidly developing area.
Chair – Mike Peverill, Climate East Midlands
Panellists
Emily Braham, Efficiency East Midlands
Gary Hancox, Stephenson College
Rick Greenhough, De Montfort University
Oliver Savage, Leicestershire County Council
Karl McGrory, Change Agents
This is an online debate being held on the Local Economic Growth Network Community of Practice which can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg.
Download
Growing a Resilient Green Economy Online Debate Summary
Local Economic Growth Network community of practice – DWP Work Programme online debate 26 July 2011
The Government has set out a number of major welfare to work reforms designed to support people to find and remain in employment. Over the last 12 months the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has designed, contracted and put a ‘Work Programme’ (WP) in place. The WP creates a structure that allows providers greater freedom to tailor the right support to the individual needs of each customer. The WP will replace an array of existing programmes for unemployed people.
On Tuesday 26 July 9.00-10.00am, Rose Regeneration and East Midlands Councils (EMC) hosted an online debate about the Work Programme (WP). This was held on the Local Economic Growth Network (LEGN) community of practice at:
http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg
The debate was intended to provide opportunities for Members to discuss the transition of existing programmes to the WP; the involvement and activities of public, private and voluntary sector providers; and how/whether the scheme can meet the Government’s target of helping 2.4 million unemployed people find jobs over the next 5 years.
The debate was chaired by David Kirkham (Nottinghamshire Employment & Skills Board and Nottinghamshire Fit for Work Programme) and the panel included: Dez Grant (Senior Partnership Manager, Jobcentre Plus, Central England); Andy Pidluznyj (External Relations Manager, Jobcentre Plus, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland); Alison Dobbs (Operations Manager, Igneus).
Download
Work Programme Online Debate Summary
Employment Land Workshop 23 June 2011
This workshop provided an opportunity to review the findings and recommendations set out in the 'East Midlands Employment Land Assessment' prepared by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (NLP) on behalf of emda. It gave local authorities the opportunity to share good practice in undertaking Employment land Reviews and allocating employment land as a basis for agreeing further actions which might usefully build on the NLP Assessment (further details of the agreed actions and way forward will be posted here shortly).
Presentations
Findings of the East Midlands Employment Land Audit - John Robertson and Colin Robinson, Nathaniel Litchfield & Partners
The District Councils Perspective - Rachel Armstrong, South Kesteven District Council
The JPU Perspective - Dave Hemmett, West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit
Taking Forward the findings of the Employment Land Audit - Peter-Williams, East Midlands Councils
Local Authority Questionnaire
East Midlands Employment Land Audit
East Midlands Employment Land Assessment (December 2010)
Local Economic Growth Network
The Local Economic Growth Network supports Councils and partners to share good practice and discuss common issues in effectively and efficiently promoting local growth. Funded by East Midlands Councils and East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership it is designed directly to support local government in the East Midlands but is open to any professional with an interest in the economic growth of communities within the region.
You can join the on-line Community of Practice at: http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/7963829/home.do
The Network was launched at Nottingham City Council on 30th November 2010, with a number of detailed presentations, including on ‘Tax Increment Financing’. The agenda and presentations can be downloaded from:
http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/7963829/doclib/themed-index.do?themeId=8598749”
Fit for the Future
East Midlands Councils, in partnership with East Midlands Regional Improvement and Efficiency partnership commissioned ‘Fit for the Future’ study to help local authorities share good practice in response to the recession. This project has been overseen by a small Advisory Board comprising:
- Cllr Jim Harker, Leader, Northamptonshire County Council (Conservative)
- Cllr Martin Hill, Leader Lincolnshire County Council (Conservative)
- Cllr Robert Parker, Lincolnshire County Council (Labour)
- Cllr David Perkins, Northampton Borough Council (Liberal Democrat)
The report has been based on interviews with the Head of Economic Development, or equivalent, in every Council in the East Midlands, interviews with a range of non-local authority partners and analysis of the impact of the recession and the potential impact of reductions in public sector employment on the East Midlands. It includes the following case studies:
- Derby City Council’s ‘Trains, Planes and Automobiles’ research into the key sectors underpinning manufacturing in the City
- Bassetlaw District Council’s joined up local and small business based response to the recession
- Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council’s Total Place pilot
- Nottingham City Council’s ‘Whole Council’ corporate response to the recession
- East Lindsey District Council’s Courts Service; a family based service supporting individuals at risk of losing their home developed specifically in response to the recession
- The iCon centre in Daventry, a national centre of excellence in construction offering opportunities around construction during the recession
The report finds that the recession hit communities and businesses increased demand for services and its impact on public finances has increased the pressure on Councils’ budgets. Councils across the region have undertaken a huge range and variety of activity to support communities and business to recover from the recession. Activity ranged from small projects to ambitious multi-agency partnerships. Not everything that Councils have done has been universally effective, but all Councils have responded. The report does not identify one approach to supporting the local economy that would be replicable in every area, but we have uncovered a wealth of good practice that every Council can learn from.
Economic circumstances and the challenges Councils face continue to change and Councils will continue to develop new and innovative ways of responding. This report can only be a snapshot at one point in time. There is scope for local authorities to work together to continue to share good practice in supporting local economies.
Download