Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from the following Councillor(s)

Cllr Michael Heap

There were no declarations of interest received.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15.7.14 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Cllr Bateman commented on the report on Black Country Working and the issue of limited resources available to bring forward developments to regenerate the City. Cllr Bateman queried if the land designation could be changed rather than leave the land or buildings undeveloped if there was limited interest by developers.

The panel welcomed the success in bringing forward the plans for the development of the former Springfield Brewery in economic use but accepted the ongoing problem of attracting the required investment.

[A report on the Council’s approach to business support and investment]

Jim Cunningham commented on the Council’s approach to business support and the work being done to support existing business and also help set up new businesses.

Jim explained that it is not a statutory responsibility for the Council to provide business support. Jim gave an overview of the work to support business and attract investment. Jim briefed the panel about the findings of Wolverhampton Economic Review which predicted that Wolverhampton was set to outperform the rest of the UK in the next few years. A copy of the report would be shared with panel.

Cunningham commented on the aims of the Wolverhampton Business Week and the work being done to attract new businesses and investment.

Wolverhampton was given £3.1 million to establish the Black Country Growth Hub. Jim commented that the service will be based in the Business Solutions Centre to deliver a one-stop service. In addition, five staff will be relocated from the Civic Centre to the business solutions centre to support the initiative. Jim commented that it was important to help businesses innovate.

Jim commented about the potential for private sector businesses to bid for Council contracts valued at £200 million annually and the importance of giving them opportunities to bid for contracts. Jim commented that businesses prefer contracts rather than grants which will help enable it to grow.

Jim commented on the importance of Wolverhampton playing to its strengths such as connectivity and access to other markets. Jim outlined the benefits of ‘one door’ approach to business support and providing an initial point of contact. The focus will be firstly attracting businesses to Wolverhampton, but if this was not possible the focus would be to attract them to move to another part of the Black Country region to support efforts to bring jobs.

Jim explained that £57 million investment in infrastructure developments at i54 had attracted £500 million return on investment and the area is continuing to attract international businesses to the site such as Porsche.

Jim commented on the positive response to Wolverhampton business week events such as Wolverhampton: a City of Business Opportunities Breakfast and that there was an open invitation to attend.

The panel commented about whether the ‘one door’ information and advice policy approach would mean the Council was less able to provide a speedy response to an enquiry.  Jim acknowledged the need for a quick response and based on his experience businesses would welcome the Council saying no, rather than the alternative ‘slow no’  which prevents them looking at alternative options to resolve their issue.

The panel commented on the issue of low skills and the work being done to create an infrastructure that supports and develops the working population.

The panel commented on the issue of jobs density and the issue that a lot of high skilled jobs are filled by people living outside the City and there were fewer opportunities for local people. The panel commented on the long standing nature of the problem in building a skilled workforce and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[A report on current progress regarding the North Wolverhampton Enterprise Zone.]

Shelia Dixon presented a report and presentation on the background to the development of the Black Country Enterprise Zone (EZ) and listed the benefits offered to businesses that set up within the site.

Shelia explained that Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership is the body responsible for the delivery of the EZ in partnership with other local authorities involved.

Shelia briefed the progress on work being done to encourage developers to take up vacant land opportunities.

Shelia commented on the number of new jobs created to date and the work being done with business to bring forward the developments on the vacant sites in the EZ.  Shelia commented on the work done to minimise risks by undertaking site investigations which may deter potential landlords from not taking up the offer.

The panel queried the link between the investment strategy and the EZ developments. Jim Cunningham commented on the investment in education and training opportunities on the site and the work being done with other organisations. Jim commented on the change in practice and the importance to focus on looking after existing and future clients.

Shelia commented on the issue of contaminated land affecting some of the sites within the EZ and acknowledged the challenge in persuading businesses to invest in areas where demand is currently weak. Shelia explained that there are funds available from the EZ to fund 50% of the cost of any remediation work required.

Resolved

The panel welcomed the information on the Enterprise Zone and the update on the working being done to bring forward developments.

[To receive a report on proposed options that wouldenable the Council to meet its responsibilities to protect Old Steam Mill building and lead to there-opening of Cornhill Road]

Marianne Page presented an overview of the developments at the Old Steam Mill and the closure of Cornhill Road.  Marianne detailed the three options that would enable to the Council to meet its responsibilities to protect the building and lead to the re-opening of Cornhill Road.

Marianne reported on a recent meeting with the representatives of Gladedale, and the discussions about the work to remove external scaffolding. The work will hopefully start in April 2015.

The panel commented on the length of time that Cornhill Road had been closed since a fire at the Old Steam in 2008 and the lack of progress in reaching a satisfactory conclusion which would lead to its re-opening. The panel commented on the disruption to the residents wanting to travel into the City centre and also financial costs to the City as a result of the closure.

The panel welcomed the recent work to progress the matter and the positive response from Gladedale to engage with the Council, but expressed concern that the options were not sufficiently robust given the length the time that has elapsed since the fire at the building.

The panel acknowledge the difficulties in making progress and the work done by the Council to make use of its powers to add conditions which will hopefully result in the scaffolding being removed from the highway.

The panel would like specific actions linked to each of the options that make clear the action the Council would consider if the necessary progress is not made to remove the external scaffolding. The panel agreed that they would like their concerns sent to the Cabinet.

Resolved

The panel would like more details on each the options presented in the report, which specific the actions to be taken if their no progress in the owners of the Gladedale to remove the scaffolding.

The panel to receive a draft timetable of key dates and actions till May 2015 relating to the removal of scaffolding on the highway and options for regenerating this area of the City.