Issue - meetings

The Board gave consideration to an update on the progress of the Business and Investment Review as requested by the Board. 

The Business and Investment Review looked at how the Council could optimise business engagement and provided a competitive business support offer to maximise business growth and investment in the Borough.

Since the implementation of the review in January 2018, there had been considerable progress in staffing, improved business engagement and the development of the Oldham business support offer. 

Additional resources had been recruited to support existing staff.  Their responsibilities were outlined in the report.

The report outlined improved business engagement which required the development of shared approach to business intelligence, engagement and marketing across a range of partners who were working with businesses in Oldham.  Achievements since July 2018 included data sharing and working protocols established with the Business Growth Hub, implementation of an account management approach to business engagement led by the Council and the Business Growth Hub, a refresh of Team Oldham to ensure consistency of representatives so there was a single representative for manufacturing, start-up, finance as well as alignment of their services with the account management approach and supported the delivery of the 2019 Oldham Business Awards. 

Members were also informed on the development of the Oldham business support offer.  Oldham had a strong business offer but remain competitive. There were areas that needed to be strengthened to support business start-up, growth and investment.  Members were advised of progress as outlined in the report.  Members were informed of the European funding element and the impact of Brexit had delayed the programme.  Work was ongoing to increase business sustainability, 1700 business had spoken to the Council, 900 had been assisted with 12 hours or more support.

Members were provided an update on the Key Performance Indicators and informed that the services was on track to achieve above target.

Members commented that work with start-ups was good.  Members asked about European funding and Brexit and if there was a risk and what would be done after that.  Members were informed that funding was guaranteed until 2022, shared Prosperity Funding was seen as a replacement.  There were concerns about the lack of consultation at this time.  There had been suggestions put forward for alternative funding strategies.

Members asked about work undertaken with the third sector.  Members were informed of work with the Oldham Enterprise Trust.  The Oldham survival rate had increased.  Enterprise skills were being supported and the Council had agreed to double the number of cooperative business supported.   Social enterprises could not depend on grants to survive.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The update on the Business and Investment Review be noted.

2.         An update on the Business and Investment review to be scheduled at an appropriate stage.