Agenda item

[To consider the developments at i54 relating to new businesses]. 

[Briefing Note is marked: To Follow]. 

The Head of City Investment gave a presentation on I54, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes.

The Head of City Investment began with background information on the I54 site, a joint partnership venture between the City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council. The site had continued to be successful and had attracted further investment. In the next 12 to 18 months all of its existing plots will be occupied by international manufacturing businesses. He explained that the Council’s role had been as a partner in multiple areas including as occupier assessment and selection, an accountable body in financial and project management, in further securing occupiers and deals, as land owner, as a strategic influencer and as a provider of skills and employment to the site. It had become the United Kingdom’s most successful enterprise zone with over £1 billion already invested. The Head of City Investment expanded on the statistics, which included job statistics; the site currently employers 2,588 people full time, with a forecasted increase to 3,488 once the Western extension development had been completed. He further reiterated the sites success.

The Chair thanked the Head of City Investment for the presentation and agreed it was an excellent success. He asked if the statistics could be sharpened so that the Panel could be informed of how many jobs the site provided to people specifically within the Wolverhampton City area.

A Panel Member enquired into how the employment statistics on the I54 site contributed to the reduction in unemployment in the Local Authority area.

The Head of Enterprise responded that the Council worked with the Department for Work and Pensions for targeted activities based around the businesses on I54. They had done targeted campaigns to encourage and aid with getting women into construction and logistics which had worked well. Adults with learning disabilities and the Armed Forces covenant have also had targeted campaigns to aid getting them into employment.

The Panel Member responded citing the high unemployment figures in the City of Wolverhampton and on how the site directly contributed to the reduction of unemployment in the Wolverhampton area.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive City Economy explained that it was not possible for the Council to decide who an employer chose to employ. He stated that it was perhaps better to ask what the Council was doing in regards to skills for local people. By increasing opportunities for local people to get the education and skills needed, they were better able to compete in the jobs market.

A Panel Member reminded Members that in the early 2010s scrutiny did a report which found Wolverhampton schools were not being considered by businesses from the I54 site as highly as other neighbouring local authorities.  Wolverhampton schools themselves were not as keen to get involved in working with the I54 site. He asked if information on the contemporary period could be provided at a future scrutiny date to see if it had improved since then.

The Chair praised the Panel for their contributions and explained that the site was an excellent addition to local economies but added that it was important for them to make sure the City of Wolverhampton was getting its fair share from the site in terms of money generated and jobs provided.

A Councillor asked what levels of risk to the local economy the site posed in the event any of the businesses left the site. The Head of City Development answered stating that the demand from international businesses for plots on the site was high. He said the financial commitment from these businesses to the site was a strong indicator of low risk.