Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 32 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02A - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions
Contact: Amit Alva Email: Amit.Alva@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies received from Councillor Irina Von Wiese. Apologies for lateness received from Councillor Renata Hamvas and Co-opted Member Marcin Jagodzinski. |
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting. Minutes: There were no items of business which the Chair deemed urgent. |
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Disclosure of interests and dispensations.
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were no disclosures of interests and dispensations. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2024. Supporting documents: Minutes: Minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2024 were approved as a correct record. |
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Draft Town Centre Action Plan
To receive the Draft Town Centre Action Plan from Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, Councillor John Batteson, Danny Edwards, Head of Economy and Libby Dunstan, Principal Strategy Officer. Supporting documents: Minutes:
Councillor Batteson thanked the Chair and noted:
· declining high streets over the last 15 years mean improving town centres is a national issue · the Plans’ relationships to the Council Delivery Plan and the work to deliver thriving High Streets; investing in delivering major improvements across Southwark town centres · the Action Plans show work tailored to the needs of the designated town centres (Camberwell, Peckham, Elephant and Castle / Walworth and East Street, Bermondsey, and Canada Water), developed through feedback from residents and businesses, Councillor Batteson’s engagement with the businesses and community, and that of the former Cabinet Member · the Action Plans show the work to be carried out by the council working with a range of partners and stakeholders such as Business Improvement Districts, Camberwell’s SE5 Forum, Peckham Business Forum and Elephant and Castle Business Forum · the Strategic Policy Leads (within the Local Economy Team) would act as single strategic points of contact for stakeholders wishing to build relationships with the council and for building relationships between stakeholders themselves · the Strategic Policy Leads are responsible for delivering each of the Action Plan’s objectives · the Action Plans include public-facing plans, currently being piloted, which will be updated as the work progresses, making them responsive to residents’ feedback · the Action Plans show committed and funded actions through the Thriving High Streets Fund · the future funding situation can change as a result of changes in national government policies · businesses have communicated hopes that national government will aim to reduce retail theft by considering shoplifting charges for aggregate value below the current £200 threshold · (through Danny) that the role of the Town Centre Leads is to be visible within their allocated communities and to use their in-depth area knowledge, working across the council to efficiently coordinate activity and engage with the community
The Chair noted that the report was yet to go to Cabinet, providing an opportunity for the commission to feed into the Town Centre Action Plans.
The commission then asked the following questions regarding:
· the Town Centre Leads’ roles and how they fit into existing coordinating provision and reporting structures · measures of the Plans’ and grants’ success · the Action Plans’ support for older residents and provision of wifi, benches and toilets as supportive infrastructure for building footfall and increasing safety · the definition of town centres and how smaller shopping streets relate to the Town Centre Action Plans · responsibility for deciding where funding is allocated and why the funding allocation process differs from, for example, funding for Neighbourhoods or the Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) programme · seasonality (and associated potential for seasonal employment) – how this related to the Plans · opportunities for sharing lessons from areas deemed already to be thriving · the balance between local, independent shops and bigger High Street brands, and how the Council can encourage brands to stay ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Cabinet Member Interview- Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business
To interview Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, Councillor John Batteson covering a holistic overview of key strategies and projects under the cabinet member portfolio. Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission then heard from Councillor Batteson on his Cabinet role and remit in Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business.
Councillor Batteson made the following points:
Employment Support, Apprenticeships and Internships Employment support focuses on the priority groups facing the greatest barriers to work and is delivered through Southwark Works, a framework of specialist providers supporting people with disabilities, long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, refugees and people at risk of homelessness. More work is needed to raise the visibility of the service. If national government devolves skills and employment support then there may be increased opportunities for the service. Nationally, the apprenticeship system is struggling but Southwark is doing well, particularly in terms of entry level apprenticeships. A more diverse range of Apprenticeship industries and sectors would be beneficial as new apprenticeship posts are predominantly in the Construction industries. In terms of paid Internships, the programme offers three themes: for Sixth Form students; for penultimate year undergraduates; for graduates within 12 months of graduating.
The Skills Delivery Plan This focuses on six sectors where long-term growth is expected. Activities are more advanced in some sectors (the Green sector has a Skills Centre and pathways into Southwark Works whereas the Hospitality sector has a Skills Hub opening in the next few months). Further work is needed to link employment sectors so that skills training and pathways more closely match how people look for jobs.
Business Support Businesses are keen to access more funding. Southwark Pioneers and the Thriving High Street Programme are the main vehicles for this. Analysis of Southwark Pioneers (supporting start-ups, micro-businesses, social enterprises and businesses in growth phases) shows good distribution of support for businesses across the Borough.
Living Wage Borough The Borough is making progress towards the target of doubling Living Wage Employers by 2026 (to 496) with a focus on developing conversations in the business community to highlight advantages for employers (recruitment and retention among others).
The Commission then asked questions on:
· the Council’s role in linking Apprenticeships with Children in Care in Southwark and with schools · the background to and funding outcomes of the Southwark Pioneers Fund and how it could be better advertised · current provision for those leaving prison (given the national situation) · how businesses are meeting the challenge of the Living Wage given the current economic situation
Danny explained that Care Leavers (Children in Care are supported by Children and Adult Services) are an important priority for the Council and a Priority group for Southwark Works where they receive bespoke skills support and access to the support network.
Councillor Batteson explained the importance of the Pioneers Fund (currently in Year 2 of 4 and so outcomes yet to be fully evaluated). Councillor Batteson has been working with officers in Communications to increase visibility through existing channels and to focus on beneficiaries of the fund who can share their stories and so help to engage others. More work is needed to illustrate the support available to potential users.
Regarding ex-offenders, Councillor Batteson agreed to find out from ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Proposed Work Programme 2024-2025
To consider the proposed work programme for the 2024-2025 year. Supporting documents: Minutes: The Commission discussed the need to see Persistent Absences data and the Council’s actions to reduce absences including possible actions in the near future.
The Commission agreed to invite a representative from a Southwark school that has successfully dealt with Persistent Absences.
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