Agenda item

To interview Councillor Martin Seaton the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Business covering a holistic overview of key strategies and projects under the portfolio, supported by Danny Edwards, Head of Economy. (Report to follow)

The commission then heard from Councillor Martin Seaton and Danny Edwards on the following points of discussion

·  Programme support for businesses; High Growth and Low Emissions economy; Investment and Growth stream, Green Economy stream; Thriving High Street funding stream; Inclusive neighbourhood; Extending local ownership

·  Encourage and promote Southwark Youth Deal; Encouraging young people to take leadership positions; ensuring there is good quality work through working with trade unions; Flexible working for mothers with young children; better accessibility to work for disabled people; Opportunities for people 50 years or older

·  Southwark is the best place to invest; forward thinking and prepared to work with industries of the future; Green Jobs target from last year of 2000 new green jobs currently at 1299 jobs as of last quarter, working with London South Bank University (LSBU) and Green hub, Southwark Colleges to identify green skills required to pipeline these jobs from schools and colleges

·  Apprenticeships, recent launch of Health and Innovation District in 2023 named SE1, consisting of health and life sciences, projecting 15,000 new jobs; mainly in big digital, technology and pharmaceutical companies who are centred here for research and product development jobs meant for local people. This consists of Guys and St Thomas, Kings College, South London and Maudsley hospitals developing clinical trials

The commission then asked questions on the following topics

·  Delivery plan of 2022-2026, target of getting 2500 Southwark residents into work; which are the growth sectors of jobs to meet these targets

·  Support for business like Plush who have been displaced in the south of the borough; Response to previous scrutiny recommendations, P33 policy, businesses relocation strategy for providing relocation to businesses displaced due to redevelopment; relocation options not being viable for businesses and council steps if a developer is not able to provide viable relocation and its effect on planning permission for the development.

·  Developers providing affordable work spaces at 10% and they can divert the 10% to communal spaces; Benchmarking apprenticeships in Southwark when compared to other boroughs in Southwark and relatively low number of internship (250) targets

Councillor Seaton explained to the commission that the growth sectors of jobs are mostly to the north of borough and efforts are being made to bring it to the south; mainly digital, retail and hospitality sectors which will be an evolution over-time towards the south of the borough.

The commission learnt from Councillor Seaton that there is some sensitive information that he is not at liberty to share; on support for businesses like Plush that have been displaced. The planning directorate did not grant the planning permission given by the council planning committee on the basis that the business and developer were unable to agree a financial compensation or viable relocation. Furthermore, the business lease on the property had expired for the past two years, the free holder then took direct action. Southwark planning policy does ensure that businesses in-situ for 10 or more years are protected for financial compensation due to redevelopment or relocation of business. Southwark Council has a policy to protect Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including micro businesses as it benefits the local people. Small businesses in such circumstances should present themselves at planning committee meetings to voice their concerns and issues. It is critical for such businesses to make the Chair and commission members of a planning committee aware of their circumstances.

Councillor Seaton informed the commission as the ex-chair of the planning committee at Southwark Council and now a cabinet member, suitable offers of relocation or financial compensation were made to businesses such as Plush. Cllr Seaton has been in contact with the owner of Plush and they are now concentrating on having multiple businesses across the borough.

The commission heard from Cllr Seaton that the council actively looks to benefit local community with investment from developments as a part of Community Wealth Building program. Planning policies in Southwark do not allow developers to allocate affordable work spaces to communal spaces, however Cllr Seaton said he would be ask the same question to the Lead Member for planning committee.

The commission noted that there is a link between local economy and affordable housing, however affordable housing falls under the remit of a different Cabinet member.

Danny informed the commission that there has been some data on apprenticeships and Southwark fairs well in this regard when compared to other boroughs. This also involves direct recruitment of apprentices, through supply chain and through projects like employment services. 25% of all apprenticeships in 32 London Boroughs are created by Southwark. Danny would provide latest figures at a future date to the commission.

The commission also requested breakdown of data by beneficiaries through the Thriving High Street Funds and Southwark Pioneer’s Fund (SPF).

The commission then asked further questions on the following themes

·  Partnership with Lambeth on the Green Skills Centre (figures); Update on Community Asset Model and Local Access Partnership (LAP)

·  SE1 prioritising of apprenticeships and internships for local people

Councillor Seaton explained to the commission that the 1299 green jobs created of a target of 2000 green jobs, is in partnership with LSBU, Passmore Centre. Southwark Council has a commitment of investing £50m in this area over time. Benchmarking of green jobs created can be provided at a later date. Passmore centre is focused on creation of green jobs and skills required, and they also offer a broad range of courses that would contribute to reducing our carbon footprint as a borough.

Danny informed the commission that the council delivery plan targets 250 internships based on existing resources and the commission could possibly make a recommendation on internships target to the Cabinet. The Green Skills Hub is a virtual hub of partnership between LSBU, Lambeth Council, Southwark Construction Skills Centre and other partners. A breakdown of green jobs according to organisations and partners can be provided to the commission at a future date.

The commission heard from Councillor Seaton that SE1 and the Health Innovation District in partnership with Lambeth Council will be prioritising job opportunities for local people. It is important to note that success of this initiative is reliant on Broader Skills strategy, internship strategy and the Green Strategy.

Danny explained to the commission that the community asset model in partnership with LAP, has made progress since its inception and is delivered through partnerships. Delivering £6m investment through partner organisations for social and community enterprises is complex. LAP and the council are currently in negotiations with delivery partners and results will be announced soon. Southwark Land commission have made recommendations to develop a social purpose framework to deliver community land assets for social and community enterprises.

The commission then discussed possible recommendations on

·  Thorough monitoring of all HR Schools Data- disciplinary, redundancy, governor demographic data

·  Working with schools and trade unions to develop a strategy to address any inequalities in HR Schools data

·  Monitoring progress of East Street Market renovation project; Council proactively supporting businesses such as Plush.

The chair explained to the commission that more information is need to establish whether the internship target of 250 is ambitious enough.