Agenda and minutes

  Apologies had been received from Kevin Dewick – Local Businessman, Fergus Grant – Jobcentre Plus, John Hayes – Chamber of Commerce, Howard Oldstein – The Glades, and Chandra Sharma – Federation of Small Businesses.

  The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

  Matters Arising

1.  The Chairman noted that the proposed half-day workshop in August 2009 to review the issues and develop ideas for the Economic Development Strategy had not gone ahead.  Mary Manuel highlighted the importance of briefing key business partners and organisations to promote the Economic Development Strategy to businesses within the borough.

  RESOLVED that the minutes be agreed.

  The Chairman, Peter Jones, reported that the sub-group had met on 18^th September 2009 and had heard a report from the Federation of Small Businesses around the lack of information on apprenticeships.  Government funding was currently available to provide subsidised jobs for 18-24 year olds who had been unemployed for more than a year, and Bromley Council was bidding to provide environmental job opportunities.  A range of other business and redundancy/unemployment support programmes had successfully bid for funding and would be delivered in partnership with other agencies.

  Ailsa Whitmarsh reported that there had been an 88% increase in Jobseekers Allowance Claimants in Bromley between August 2008 and August 2009.  The figure was now 6,291 claimants.  It was noted that Jobcentre Plus would circulate ‘Top Ten’ vacancy lists to members of the Partnership to help direct future skills training provision.

  Mary Manuel provided members with an update compiled by Howard Oldstein, the Chairman of the sub-group.  She reported that the group had taken a tour of the borough at the last meeting and had also considered the importance of utilising the media fully to support the marketing of Bromley.

  It was noted that the prospectus on inward investment in Bromley was being taken forward, and that there was a meeting with Commercial Property Agents on 20^th October 2009.  Work was also being undertaken with agents around the Pilot Shop Front Scheme.  It was noted that the London Mayor’s Office was investigating Inward Investment and Marketing and members of the Partnership agreed that it was important to look at how this would impact Bromley.

  The Chairman, Malcolm Brabon, reported that the group had been considering the role of communications within the Partnership, particularly around how members share information, including the dissemination of minutes from sub-group meetings.  The Chairman agreed and noted that it was also important to develop a calendar of forthcoming events being held across partnership organisations as part of the agenda and as information for the wider public.

  The Federation of Small Businesses AGM would be held on 5^th October 2009.  It was highlighted that a shop unit in The Glades shopping centre was now available for partner organisations to promote their services to shopping centre users.  It was hoped Economic Partnership members would be able to utilise the shop during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.

RESOLVED that progress be noted.

(to follow)

The Draft Economic Development Strategy Framework was presented to members of the Partnership.  The objectives of the strategy were based on the Building a Better Bromley 2020 vision and proposed to include:

• Vibrant and thriving town centres
• Improving the skills bases of residents and workers
• Improving employment opportunities for residents
• Sustaining and growing local businesses
• Increased inward and local investment in the borough

  The measurement of strategic priority objectives was discussed.  Officers explained that initial indicators had been developed around information that was already available, but that further indicators would be developed.  It was important to ensure the strategy was meaningful to a range of partners.

  A series of demographic information was discussed by the Partnership.  It was highlighted that in terms of the overall employment rate (working age population) in 2007/08, Bromley had the highest level of employment rate in London.  In 2008, Bromley also had one of the lowest levels of people claiming working age benefits in London.  However it was also noted that Bromley had a comparably low level of 19-59/64 year olds qualified to at least NVQ Level 4 (equivalent to an HND) against other London Boroughs.

  Members discussed the need to be cautious about using the number of new businesses registered for VAT as an indicator, as this was not a reflection of the number of businesses succeeding in the medium or long term.  Other members of the Partnership felt it would a useful general indicator, but it would also be valuable if the number of self-employed individuals in the borough could be identified and utilised as an indicator.

  In developing the Economic Development Strategy it was key to undertake wide ranging consultation with businesses, traders’ organisations and other key partners across the borough.  Members discussed the range of consultation to be undertaken.  Marc Hume suggested that it focus on the projects developed to deliver each Strategic Priority, as these were the practical measures that would support Bromley businesses.  Traders groups would also have an important role in championing the Economic Development Strategy to local businesses.

  Mary Manuel agreed to send out copies of the Draft Economic Development Strategy and a list of consultees to the Partnership.  She asked that members provide details of additional businesses or partners they felt should be part of the consultation.

  RESOLVED that the draft Economic Development Framework/ Strategy be noted.

The Economic Partnership considered the draft Terms of Reference.  Members of the Partnership discussed the membership of the group and it was felt that the number of local business representatives should be increased from 4 to 6, and that this should include at least two representatives from larger businesses.

  Members were keen that members of the public should be able to attend and speak at meetings as appropriate, although this would not include eligibility to vote.  The need to elect a Partnership Vice-Chairman from amongst those members working for commercial organisations was also highlighted as an urgent item, and a request for the nomination of a member of the Partnership to sit on the Local Strategic Partnership was made.

  The role of strong communications in promoting the work of the Economic Partnership was again highlighted, which could include an annual newsletter or e-bulletin to provide information on partnership activities across sub-groups and a range of partners.

  RESOLVED that suggested amendments to the Terms of Reference be noted.

(To follow)

The Local Strategic Partnership held a conference in June 2009.  A draft action plan was produced with 11 points organised within six themes.  These were:

• Bromley in recession
• Better VFM/efficiency
• Joining up geographically
• Joining up for similar client groups
• Involved
• General

  It was important for members of the Partnership to identify any current projects or activities that supported each theme, and to report these activities to Mary Manuel by 1^st October 2009.  This information would be used to populate the draft action plan and would enable the Economic Partnership to promote the excellent work undertaken by members of the group.

RESOLVED that members of the Partnership provide information on projects and activities for the LSP Draft Action Plan.

The Chairman was congratulated on winning the 2009 Federation of Small Businesses Individual Councillor award for his exceptional support and efforts to help improve the trading environment for Bromley’s small businesses.

It was also noted that a Boost Your Business event was to be held at 6.00pm on 1^st October 2009 at the Mary Rose Inn in St Mary Cray.  All businesses in the Cray Valley area were welcome to attend a number of short seminars on a range of business issues.

  Monday 7^th December 2009 (4.30-6.30pm)

  Monday 8^th March 2010 (4.30-6.30pm)

  The Chairman noted the next meeting was 4.30pm on Monday 7^th December 2009.

  The Chairman thanked everyone for attending - the meeting ended at 6.30pm.