Agenda Item No_______12_____ ENTERPRISE NORFOLK Summary: This report seeks the support of Cabinet to a business start-up support programme called Enterprise Norfolk which responds to one of the objectives of the Corporate Plan 2012-2015 under the theme Jobs and the Local Economy to increase the number of new businesses by working with partners to develop and deliver such a programme. Conclusions: The NCC grant and additional NNDC funding will enhance the local delivery of a business start-up support programme to help nurture new business startups in North Norfolk. Recommendations: That Cabinet accept the NCC grant of £35K per annum over the period 2012/13 and 2013/14 (£70K for two years) and authorise the release of £25K per annum over the period 2012/13 and 2013/14 (£50K for two years) from the ETDU budget as match funding to that NCC grant to deliver a business start-up support programme called Enterprise Norfolk and to ultimately increase the number of Business Start-Ups (NI 171 – New business registrations) in the district. This programme seeks to assist a minimum of 300 beneficiaries and create 50 business starts. Cabinet Member(s) Wards affected All All Contact Officers: telephone number and email: Robin Smith; Jose Sacao 01263 516236, 01263 516303 robin.smith@north-norfolk.gov.uk jose.socao@north-norfolk.gov.uk 1. Introduction 1.1 With East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Business Link no longer existing to deliver the government’s Solutions for Business programme which aims to support entrepreneurs and companies to start and grow their businesses, local authorities were left to fill in the gaps of providing support to them under limited resources. In the last 18 months, NNDC’s Economic Development Service has thus delivered a decent business start-up programme comprised of enterprise awareness events and business start-up surgeries in Cromer, Fakenham and North Walsham at a budget of around £20K per year. 1.2 At the same time, the ED team has continued to work with North Norfolk Business Forum (NNBF), EDOs of other district councils in Norfolk, business support providers and other partners to look at more effective ways of providing support to business start-ups and existing businesses. A Review of Business Support Services was also commissioned by the ED team in partnership with WLP and a report in 3 phases was prepared and completed in May 2012. 1.3 Through those discussions with partners, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet has recognised the need for County-wide Enterprise Support by providing a budget of £200,000 per year for 2 years initially – with the option to extend the project, based on a review of the outcomes achieved. 1.4 It is proposed that £35,000 (per year for 2 years) is made available to North Norfolk District Council in 2012/13 as a grant to provide and/or enhance a business start-up service in one or more venues across the District area. 1.5 The County Council wishes to use this funding as the basis for a wider programme of support that is aimed to develop in partnership as and when additional resource becomes available, as part of what will be called “Enterprise Norfolk”. (See Appendix 1 for more information) 2. Enterprise Norfolk’s delivery in North Norfolk 2.1 Through the Enterprise Norfolk programme, Norfolk County Council has encouraged NNDC to support this grant with a proportion of match funding to provide an enhanced local provision of business start-up support to beneficiaries in the district as a result of the grant. 2.2 If NNDC’s Cabinet approve the match funding to support the project, the ED team will be able to provide a wider range of bespoke support than they have previously been able to offer and to further enhance the training that business start-ups will have received as part of Enterprise Norfolk. 2.3 This enhanced local delivery of Enterprise Norfolk will include the following activities which will be part of our Service Plan 2012-2013 under SG 1 – Business Support and in accord with the priorities set by the Council for 20122013 under the corporate theme of Jobs and the Local Economy. 2.4 Raising Aspirations – holding of enterprise awareness events and presence in trade exhibitions, fairs, festivals and carnivals in different areas of the district promoting entrepreneurship. 2.5 Entrepreneurial Readiness – group sessions on enterprise training and business planning. 2.6 Planning to Succeed – one to one advice and guidance which involves enterprise coaching or mentoring. 2.7 This support programme will increase the chance of the business start-up surviving and growing into a successful business at a time when they are most vulnerable and require assistance to get off the ground. 2.8 Procurement of deliverer(s) of programme activities in the district will be the responsibility of NNDC. This will ensure all of the resource dedicated to the area is retained in it. The deliverer can be an individual (employee or selfemployed), or a small business, or a larger organisation. The terms of reference for the activities will be prepared and detailed prior to tendering the contract(s). 3. Outcome targets 3.1 300 individuals getting one to one sessions designed to provide bespoke advice and support 3.2 200 individuals who have viable business ideas attending workshops for entrepreneurial readiness 3.3 50 new business starts 4. Options Option 1 – To accept the £35K per annum for two years NCC grant and to authorise the release of £25K per annum for two years from the Economic Development Service budget to enable a high level of enhanced local support for business start-ups. Option 2 – To accept the £35K per annum for two years NCC grant and to authorise the release of a lesser amount of additional funding which will enable a lower level of enhanced support for business start-ups. Option 3 – To accept the £35K per annum for two years NCC grant and to not authorise any additional funding and offer no additional support for business start-ups after the initial training. Option 4 – Not to accept the £35K per annum for two years NCC grant. 5. Financial Implications and Risks The grant of £35,000 per year for two years from Norfolk County Council will have conditions attached such as procurement responsibility and project management and administration. The NNDC match funding of £25,000 per year for two years will come from the Economic Development Service budget. 6. Sustainability There are no sustainability issues raised by this report. 7. Equality and Diversity There are no equality and diversity issues raised by this report. 8. Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations There are no anticipated impacts on Crime and Disorder arising from this report. 9. Conclusion The NCC grant of £35K per annum for two years and additional NNDC funding of £25K per annum for two years will enhance the local delivery of a business start-up support programme to help nurture new business start-ups in North Norfolk. This is in line with one of the objectives of the Corporate Plan 2012-2015 under the theme Jobs and the Local Economy to increase the number of new businesses by working with partners to develop and deliver such programme. 10. Recommendation That Cabinet accept the NCC grant of £35,000 per annum over the period 2012/13 and 2013/14 (£70,000 for two years) and authorise the release of £25,000 per annum over the period 2012/13 and 2013/14 (£50,000 for two years) from the Economic Development Service budget as match funding to that NCC grant to deliver a business start-up support programme called Enterprise Norfolk and to ultimately increase the number of Business StartUps (NI 171 – New business registrations) in the district. This programme seeks to assist a minimum of 300 beneficiaries and create 50 new business starts.