Agenda item
Cabinet Member Spotlight - Work and Economic Development
The Committee will receive a presentation from Cabinet Member (Work and Economic Development).
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Councillor Joshua Peck (Cabinet Member for Work & Economic Growth) that highlighted a number of key points in relation to Work & Economic Growth including “Work Path” and employment support; skills improvement and work related training; enterprise and business support programmes; high streets and town centres. It was noted that there had been a review of Skillsmatch delivery which had resulted in the design and launch of a new model. This included the communications campaign; the single telephone contact number and website information. The Committee were advised that the programme has already delivered over 700 people into work this year, which has exceeded the previous comparable period by 23%. There has been increase in job entry over comparable period to last year seen in all major groups including Black and Minority Ethnic Groups, Women, Black and Minority Ethnic Women and persons with disabilities.
The Committee noted that regarding skills improvement and work related training there had been training programmes delivered in Construction; Teaching Assistants; Childcare; Pre-Employment and Interview Coaching;
ESOL Co-Ordination and Sector based ESOL (Including ESOL for Health and ESOL for Construction). In respect of the key achievements for economic growth it was noted that there was a “Ready” suite of business support - Start-up, Growth, Retail Marketing, Supply Chain; the Whitechapel Enterprise Hub and the High Street pilot work including shopfronts and regeneration projects. The questions and comments from Members on the report may be summarised as follows:
The Committee:
· Noted that work was being undertaken to broker greater access to quality of jobs and in terms of sustainability e.g. work needs to be sustained over many years’ not just large injections of capital and then leave it at that.
· Noted that with regards to Wood Wharf work is being undertaken to develop sustainable employment programmes;
· Was advised that the Council is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses to create apprentice positions and to help such businesses maintain their viability against larger competitors;
· Noted the work currently being undertaken in Tower Hamlets to keep local shops viable and resist the trend of conversions of shops to residential;
· Noted that the scheme has benefitted a larger percentage black and minority ethnic groups residents than earlier programmes and is therefore a significant improve over such schemes;
· Noted that the regeneration of areas such as Brick Lane aims to reflect the needs of the customers; environmental health; address ASB issues and ensure that the area reflects the multiple layers of heritage;
· Commented on the importance of addressing the skills shortages in London through local colleges and businesses to address skills gaps in a range of industries;
· Noted that with regards to helping families work is being undertaken to address any barriers to work to ensure that parents can access child care when they seek employment e.g. getting planning agreed for pre-school provision and providing more skilled staff to increase provision of pre-school places; and
· Noted that the £360,000 investment in the Watney Market site will provide a bespoke service for young people and it is a very tangible investment in the future of the children of Tower Hamlets.