Agenda Item 4 (i) (d)
WALSALL BOROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Friday, 16 February 2007
Performance of LAA –
Economic Development and Enterprise Pillar
1.
Purpose of the Report
1.1
To inform the Executive Committee of progress relating to programmes (through
the Target Action Plans [TAP]) within the Economic Development and Enterprise
(EDE) Pillar and performance against targets.
2.
Recommendations
2.1
The Executive Committee is requested to:
i)
Note the outstanding TAPs and the issues related to them, as set out in
Section 4
ii)
Note the revised over-commitments of £117,452 for financial year 2006/07
and £148,570 for financial year 2007/08, as set out in Section 5.1
iii)
Note the identified slippage of £197,877, as set out in Section 5.2
iv)
Note the total amount of un-allocated and slippage of £80,425, as set out
in Section 5.3
v)
Note the progress against targets, as set out in Section 7
vi)
Endorse the approval of the Inward Investment TAP of £26,000 for
financial year 2006/07 and £34,250 for financial year 2007/08, as set out
in Section 8 and Appendix 1
3.
Context
3.1
At the Executive Committee meeting of 8 September 2006, it was agreed that
each Pillar Group would present individual performance progress towards
programmes (TAPs) and targets.
3.2
The EDE Pillar Partners continue to engage with, and support the work of,
PoWER. Two further private sector partners, Barhale Construction and Steria,
have recently joined PoWER.
3.2
The transformational projects led by Walsall Regeneration Company have
secured £500million of investment to date with focus on providing a sustainable
economy. Significant levels of activity have been agreed for delivery during
2007/08 with priority focus on worklessness, skills development and enterprise
development.
3.3
With a range of Tenders for Co-Finance Funding now completed a number of
preferred bidders have been engaged to deliver Target Action Plan related
activities. Recent contracts related to the Worklessness TAP have been
16.02.07 – Performance of LAA – EDE Pillar
awarded to Action for the Blind, Breathing Space, Steps to work and Community
Transport.
3.4
The Skills Tender for £800,000 has just closed, with analysis of bids currently
underway. Walsall Lifelong Learning Alliance will be managing the delivery of all
skills related contracts on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council.
4.
Target Action Plans (TAP)
4.1
Outstanding TAPs are as follows:


EDE 3.2 – Gap between Walsall’s mean annual earnings and the West
Midlands – this indicator is to be removed from the refreshed LAA
EDE 7.1 – Number of vacant business unit in districts and the town centre –
this has been drafted and is due to be finalised shortly (no LAA funding is
required)
5.
Funding Allocations
5.1
This section sets out the Pillar’s funding allocations, for each financial year, and
approved programmes:
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund:
Programme
Funding Allocation:
Co-Financing (Critical Elements)
Co-Financing
Worklessness
VAT Supported Businesses
Procurement
Construction Skills
NVQ (Increase in Skills)
Total Allocated:
Over-Commitment:
Inward Investment (Additional Programme)
Revised Over-Commitment:
2006/07
1,270,553
73,455
422,656
77,459
57,134
109,049
400,000
222,252
1,362,005
91,452
26,000
117,452
2007/08
1,093,480
0
0
320,650
247,500
91,850
0
547,800
1,207,800
114,320
34,250
148,570
2006/07
331,465
82,866
82,866
165,733
331,465
0
2007/08
0
0
0
0
0
Pump Priming Grant (Stretch Targets):
Programme
Funding Allocation:
Worklessness
VAT Supported Businesses
NVQ (Increase in Skills)
Total Allocated:
Un-Allocated / Identified Slippage:
5.2
A re-profiling exercise has been undertaken and the following programmes have
identified slippage:
2
16.02.07 – Performance of LAA – EDE Pillar
Programme
Co-Financing
VAT Supported Businesses
NVQ (Increase in Skills)
Total
2006/07
58,492
31,400
107,985
197,877
5.3
The total un-allocated and identified slippage is £80,425.
6.
Progress Against Programmes
6.1
Programmes have been ‘traffic lighted’ based on an assessment of whether
information has been provided to the Programmes and Performance Team and
milestones met within agreed timescales. All programmes are currently rated as
‘amber’ due to some of these just being approved / started and it was felt unfair
to traffic light the programmes at this time. However, this will change as the
programmes move towards delivery against milestones.
6.2
The total amount if claims received or being processed, as at 24 January 2007,
was £247,775, representing 15% of the Pillar’s total allocation of £1,602,018.
7.
Progress Against Targets
7.1
The following targets listed have been rated as ‘red’ for successive quarters:




EDE 1.1 - The difference between people in employment with the West
Midlands
EDE 1.1.2 – The difference between people in employment with England
EDE 1.2 – The gap between the average unemployment rate and Walsall’s
EDE 2.2 – Working age people receiving job related training in last 4 weeks
7.2
The PEG is in the process of producing corrective actions plans in order for these
indicators to be brought ‘back on track’.
8.
Target Action Plans for Approval / Delegated Authority Decisions
8.1
At the EDE PEG, held 24 January 2007, approval was given for the Inward
Investment TAP. The TAP is summarised at Appendix 1.
8.2
The Executive Committee is requested to endorse the decision taken.
Tim Johnson, Chair, EDE Pillar Executive Group
Contact Officer:
Jo Lowndes, Programmes and Performance Manager
(01922) 654714
lowndesj@walsall.gov.uk
3
Appendix 1
Summary of Completed TAPs
LAA Target:
Links to Other Targets:
Lead Officer /
Funding
Proposed
Identified Match
Organisation:
Approved
Allocation
Funding:
EDE 6.1 –
2006/07:
2007/08:
Number of
Charles Roach
businesses
Black Country Investment
supported to
£25,982
£34,250
invest in the
Borough
Activity:
Existing activity is based around the sub-regional investment service, established in 2001. BCI provides advice on property and funding
to growing and relocating businesses. In total, is has supported 51 businesses in Walsall, securing £70million of new investment and
2,675 jobs. BCI hosts a business enquiry service, receiving more than 1,300 each year, from which 10% are converted to investment
projects. BCI also provides a marketing resource to attract investor enquiries in to the Borough. It gathers market intelligence that is
shared across a host of interests, including the private sector regarding investment trends and business requirements for commercial
property.
The proposed activity will include a dedicated Walsall resource to identify growth business in the Borough, support businesses that are
diversifying, provide specialist support via a business investment support initiative, marketing Walsall to investors and increasing the
level of support to companies in high growth business sectors.
Appraisal Recommendations:
The TAP provides a good evidence base to increase the levels of service provided, in order to encourage more businesses to invest in /
relocate within the Borough.
The programme lead needs to consider where funding for year three will be found from, if no funding is available from the WBSP.
The TAP was approved by the EDE PEG on 24 January 2007.