Agenda item

A report was presented to the Panel on the latest Inclusive Growth Strategy.  Members were provided with the draft document which detailed the level and type of reforms recommended for driving inclusive growth; why it was believed that they mattered and recommendations as to how they should be delivered.

Members were informed that achieving inclusive growth was a fundamental priority contained within the Doncaster Growing Together Strategy

A presentation was provided covering the following areas;

• What is Inclusive Growth?
• A growing economy……
• Challenges that remain
• Inclusive Growth Drivers
• Approval and Engagement
• Delivery

There was a discussion which highlighted the following;

Wages – In order to increase average wages, Members were informed that there would be a focus on growing and supporting existing and emerging specialist sectors across Doncaster.  It was explained that a separate strategy was being worked on alongside Doncaster Growing Together.

Doncaster Centres – The strategy made reference to the large centres located outside Doncaster, such as, Mexborough and Thorne that provided a wide range of services, whilst other centres within the borough (i.e. Bawtry, Armthorpe and Askern) served more day-to-day needs.

Concern was raised by the Chair that some of these centres (such as

Mexborough, Thorne and Askern) had been “forgotten”.  A Member of the Panel and Ward Member, commented that Askern was a developing area with a large number of houses but offered limited work opportunities and did not offer the public transport needed to reach work outside of the area.

Members were told that work was underway to understand what was taking place around skills levels, education and employment at Super Output Area (SOA) level as well as at ward level. It was explained that there was a need to understand communities and be able to target intervention accordingly rather than providing one solution for all. 

Access/Transport – Concerns were raised that transport routes in and out of Doncaster town centre did not provide what was needed to access employment across the Borough.  It was acknowledged that it was sometimes easier for those outside of Doncaster to travel into the town centre than it was for Doncaster residents.  A Member explained that a resident living in Askern could reach Selby or Pontefract by public transport but not the next village.  Members were assured that more integrated work was being undertaken and strategies would be developed. 

Members were reminded that there was a broad range of infrastructure projects in place.  For example, new links with Castleford and Leeds which would open up job opportunities with neighbouring authorities and create a connection for North Doncaster.  It was added that discussions had not yet reached the point of where the investment would come from and which projects would be key to Doncaster.

Brexit - There was a brief discussion around how the Council and its partners were adapting to Brexit.  Concern was raised that it was not known what Brexit would look like and what challenges would exist.

The Chief Executive Officer of Doncaster Chamber commented that local businesses were seeking support out of the uncertainty around Brexit.  It was continued that there was an objective to increase exports as a key part of the Inclusive Growth Strategy. It was added that the Chamber of Commerce was appointing a National Trade Officer to place more resources where needed and support that particular area of growth. 

It was added that opportunities needed to be accessed by all and was considered as a key issue.  For example, the University Technical College (UTC) could be easily reached by young people as it was located in the town centre.

It was explained that although there were well thought out objectives in the strategy, they needed to be further prioritised and it was commented that priority was not always given to transportation.  It was also added that access to skilled labour was essential although there were no longer the previous supply of colleagues employed from European countries as the value of the pound was greater elsewhere.

Members were assured that the Government was being held to account on the impact of Brexit on businesses.

The Panel was reminded that OSMC would be holding a meeting to consider Brexit on the 2^nd November 2018.

Developments – A Member questioned why developments were mainly located around Finningley Airport as part of a Doncaster Sheffield Airport Masterplan.  It was felt that there wasn’t an equal amount of investment in other areas.  Concern was raised that developers were not building houses where needed close to transport links or near work or that they were too expensive.  Members were assured this would be considered alongside the issue of connectivity.

A Member queried whether the Doncaster Chamber provided support to local businesses based on a postcode lottery.  Assurances were provided that Doncaster Chamber currently made available support to any business that traded in Doncaster on a Membership basis.  It was explained that it was within publicly funded support through Business Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub where postcodes may have applied were now being seen less and less.

A Member commented that it would be positive to see the Council as a leader when it came to employing young people with disabilities that would provide them with a purpose.

Northern Powerhouse Partnership - In terms of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, it was recognised that steps needed to be undertaken before consideration could be given to a wider Yorkshire option.  In terms of the level of support being provided, it was explained that this was a small partnership. It was added that there were opportunities being taken through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which had been generating a good momentum. 

People’s Powerhouse – Members were informed that the People’s Powerhouse was a movement formed in response to the lack of women that participated in a conference around inclusive growth. Members were informed that the consultation process was still ongoing and a response could still be made.

In summary, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Doncaster Chamber stated that he thought the strategy was one of the best iterations of the plan offered and down to the efforts and involvement of Doncaster Council officers.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

1.    Note the report Inclusive Growth Strategy; and

2.    That the following areas be added to the Regeneration and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Workplan so that future consideration be provided of;

a)      An update on large centres located outside of Doncaster including Mexborough, Askern and Thorne.

b)      An update on local connectivity through an update on the Doncaster Bus Partnership with an invite to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).