Agenda item

To present performance against the Council Plan 2015-2020 for the period 1 April – 30 September 2017.

Mr Scott Butterfield, Transformation Manager, Corporate Delivery Unit presented progress with Council Plan performance indicators for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017 with reference to Enterprise Skills and Economic Inclusion. Both Heads of Service were present to answer any detailed questions including on their Service Overview reports (Agenda Item 9 refers) which were considered as part of the performance report item.

Mr Butterfield explained that a revised approach had been developed with seven comprehensive indicators of which four had recent comparative data and three were measured annually. One performance indicator on numbers of new businesses started within the financial year 2016-2017 was not meeting its target and explanatory detail was provided within an ‘exceptions’ commentary page.

Members welcomed the presentational format which highlighted by colour whether targets were on track or not. They noted that many people had been supported into work through the ‘Positive Steps into Work’ programme from 2014-2015 but queried why numbers had been far lower for the last year 2016-2017.

Mr Peter Legg, Head of Economic and Cultural Services explained that each year there were a number of employer related projects. During 2014-2015, the ‘Work Programme’ was the most significant support programme stemming from the Department for Work and Pensions. It was an established programme having been running for several years. Referrals to that Programme had been high and many people had been supported into work. However, since then referral numbers had decreased. Other programmes had started since 2014-2015 which meant less dependence on one programme. The new programmes had fewer referrals, i.e. less people to support so one challenge was ensuring that they remained sustainable.

He cited the new Healthworks Centre in the town centre which housed nearly forty project staff supporting people. People being supported had a wide range of complex needs including mental health difficulties, substance abuse and other issues such as transience representing real challenges across Blackpool so it took longer to help them. Blackpool had higher than average numbers of people out of work and with complex needs.

Mr Legg acknowledged that there had been limited success with the new programmes to date but the market was well understood for taking forward work. He gave assurance that the programmes aimed to support all people and added that the Department for Work and Pensions had recognised that the ‘Work Programme’ had not been effective in supporting people with complex needs so the new approach had been advocated. He added that a new ‘Health and Work’ programme had been commissioned to start early in 2018.

Members referred to a previous ‘Enterprise Challenge’ which had been modelled on the national Dragon’s Den competition concept to promote young entrepreneurs. It had been good value for money and had attracted good interest. They enquired if a similar concept could be done again. Mr Legg acknowledged that the concept had had been effective with a number of businesses started in the event that were still running. He added that other concepts had taken place albeit with slightly less success although innovative schemes were still being explored. He referred to the ‘You can do it’ programme which offered businesses external funding of £40k focusing on young people aged 16 to 24 years old. He confirmed that he would review the ‘Enterprise Challenge’ concept and what had made it come with the potential to run a similar event.

Mr Legg referred to a successful Enterprise Week held in November 2017 across eleven wards which had attracted over 300 people. The next such event would be bigger.

He referred to the staffing within the Economic and Cultural Service supporting people. There were only two Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Advisors. One Advisor focused on supporting day-to-day operational activities of businesses and the other Advisor supported new businesses within the first three years of activity from getting started through to sales and marketing and becoming sustainable.

Mr Mike Taplin, Head of Adult Learning / Senior Programme Manager (Opportunity Areas) added that some potential new business people attended ‘Getting Started’ support groups. They were able to gain skills and develop confidence.