Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mark Haynes – The Glades, Mike Lewis – Michael Rogers LLP, Robert Sargent – Cobalt Ltd, Clare Searle – Greener and Cleaner, Caroline Tatchell – Splash Damage and Lee Thomas – Fairlight Group.

Apologies for lateness were received from Michael Humphries – Handelsbanken.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, members of the public may submit one question each on matters relating to the work of the Committee. Questions must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting – by 5pm on Tuesday 9^th January 2024.

Questions seeking clarification of the details of a report on the agenda may be accepted within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda – by 5pm on Wednesday 17^th January 2024.

No questions had been received.

The Chairman noted that there were no matters outstanding.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th November 2023 be agreed.

The Chairman welcomed Daniel Murray, the new LBB Head of Economic Development, to the meeting and introductions were made.

The LBB Head of Economic Development noted that potential future areas of work would include a refresh of the Economic Strategy and the development of a Growth Plan to support it. The importance of understanding (and engaging with) the borough’s large and high growth businesses, and the need to help them address any growth challenges faced, was emphasised. Other areas of focus would include an analysis of emerging/innovative sectors; inward investment; commercial space requirements/availability; and skills and employment.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The LBB Place Shaping & Local Economy Manager provided a summary of the findings from the BEP survey (attached at Appendix A).

The LBB Place Shaping & Local Economy Manager advised that the survey had been sent to all 28 Members of the Partnership in early December 2023, and 9 responses had been received. The responses indicated that a 4.00pm start time was preferred with the meetings lasting for a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes. Members would like the Partnership meetings to be held in person on a quarterly basis. The elements that Members would particularly like included in the meetings were Council updates, partner updates and open discussion. A number of respondents had also considered that relevant subgroups could be established.

In terms of the general comments received about how the BEP could evolve, Members said they would prefer the meetings to be less formal, and more dynamic and interactive. Members would also like themed meetings with open discussion, opportunities to have more collaboration on projects and better engagement with a wider variety of participants.

The Chairman noted that Members wanted more discussion to take place during the meetings. It was proposed that the meetings would be themed, with this meeting focussed on employment and skills and creating a discussion forum. They would try to ensure there was time for partner updates/feedback to be provided, however these may also need to be themed. Christopher Evans – Community Links Bromley suggested that themes could also include digital inclusion, external speakers on the skills and training agenda and inward investment.

The LBB Place Shaping & Local Economy Manager highlighted that this was an evolving process and Members were encouraged to submit any further feedback.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The LBB Economic Development Manager provided an update on the four UK Shared Prosperity Fund programmes to support local business – Growth Builder programme (Goldsmiths, University of London); Supply Bromley programme (Newable); StartUp Bromley programme (GLL): and Bromley Business hub programme (SOS Creativity). A copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix B.

In response to questions from the Chairman, the LBB Economic Development Manager advised that the Growth Builder programme would be delivered locally at different venues, including businesses premises, and would be needs led. With regards to the targets stated for each programme, it was highlighted that these were the minimum targets.

In response to a question from Bruce Walker – Lansdown Asset Management, the LBB Economic Development Manager advised that a quarterly report was submitted to the GLA based on the evidence/audit trail provided in relation to the new jobs created. The data reported was the actual number of jobs created and did not account for any fall off.

Chandra Sharma – FSB/StartUp Bromley asked for further information regarding the Meet the Buyer events. The LBB Economic Development Manager advised that the next event would take place in March 2024. It was noted that these events would be more focussed, with particular institutions invited and matched up with buyers. Mr Sharma informed the Partnership that he was the new Business Support Manager for StartUp Bromley and confirmed that the support provided was measured. They were required to submit a quarterly report – this included the number of jobs created, jobs safeguarded, and the new sectors entered into.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

o Local labour market intelligence

o Good Work Bromley

o Open discussion on employment and skills

The Chairman welcomed Neil Coates – LSEC Deputy Principal Apprenticeships, Adults and Higher Education (“Deputy Principal”), Liz Lake – LSEC Group Strategic Director for Projects and Partnerships (“Group Strategic Director”), Nina Sian – LSEC Director of Employer Engagement and Innovation and Bethan Doran – LBB SEND Employment Project Officer to the meeting to deliver a presentation covering the local labour market, Good Work Bromley and employment and skills (attached at Appendix C). Further information regarding the Good Work Bromley Exchange Launch is attached at Appendix D.

In response to a question from Christopher Evans – Community Links Bromley regarding the quality of jobs created, the Deputy Principal advised that this could be looked at in further detail as it could be measured by median wage data within the borough and sector roles.    ACTION: LSEC

It was noted that in addition to getting people into work, there was a need to get people better jobs and provide them with more skills and experience – as well as employers getting more staff which allowed them to become more productive and widen their offer.

Gary Hillman – N. Hillman & Sons asked where jobs were advertised. The Deputy Principal advised that online platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Reed were used to advertise jobs, as well as Jobcentre Plus. Christopher Evans – Community Links Bromley highlighted that recruiters needed to give consideration as to where adverts should be placed. It was noted that a separate issue to consider related to the London Living Wage and in-work poverty. The Group Strategic Director noted that a key performance indicator (KPI) of the work should be to measure the number of ‘good’ jobs, which met the London Living Wage.

The Group Strategic Director informed the Partnership that the Bromley People & Skills Programme (2023-25) focussed on Good Work Bromley, supporting care leavers into employment and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programme. The programme was funded by Local London, through the GLA – it would identify people who were on the margins of employment and find the labour market required by employers. The LBB SEND Employment Project Officer advised that the SEND programme was a collaboration with partners including Good Work Bromley Exchange, Bromley Mencap and CASPA to support young people with SEND or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) into employment. The Group Strategic Director noted that the work was also focused on care leavers and those not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

The Group Strategic Director advised the Partnership that the Good Work Bromley Exchange was based at The Hive, LSEC Orpington Campus. The team received client referrals through the LSEC website (lsec.ac.uk) – their needs were assessed during a 1-2-1 meeting and the relevant pathway was identified. As part of the universal pathway, LSEC delivered Sector Work-Based Academy Programmes (SWAP). In response questions from the Chairman, the Group Strategic Director said that LSEC would work in partnership with employers that had vacancies to fill – the SWAP was a 5-week programme with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

o Key updates from Partners

Chandra Sharma, representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), advised that an FSB networking event would be taking place on 20^th February 2024 at Clockwise. With regards to StartUp Bromley, Members of the Partnership were encouraged to refer anyone who was looking to get into business, as a huge amount of support was available – a leaflet providing information on courses and events was tabled.

Gary Hillman – N. Hillman & Sons said that the 3G pitch at Cray Wanderers Football Club had been completed and floodlights installed. The first official game on the pitch would be the women’s team playing on 4^th February 2024. There were currently 35 youth teams with an aspiration to expand to 45 next year.

Katy Woolcott – London Biggin Hill Airport said that business continued to be good – it had not been quite as strong as 2022, but was well ahead of 2019. The on-site hotel had been operating for a year and continued to perform well, investment had been made into a taxiway which allowed aircrafts to get to the runway in a more efficient way, and they were in the process of installing air sensors.

Futures Week would be taking place at the Airport between 12^th-16^th February 2024, providing 15 young people, aged 15-18 years, the opportunity to experience the roles available within aviation.

The Airport had completed their report to be fed into the Local Plan and it was highlighted that it was the ideal opportunity to have the people with the required skills living locally. The response to the Local Plan suggested that a broader view was taken within certain areas in order to create business opportunities. Discussions were still ongoing in relation to establishing an aviation academy.

Nina Sian – LSEC informed Members that Apprenticeship Week would be taking place between 5^th-9^th February 2024. On the Tuesday, parents could come and meet the Apprenticeship Team to find out more information – 169 bookings had already been received. On the Thursday, an event for employers would be held to provide information on apprenticeships and T-Levels. On the Friday, a ‘Take Me On’ event would be held which allowed employers to advertise their apprenticeship vacancies and interview candidates.

RESOLVED that the updates be noted.

o Request for future agenda items

The Chairman extended her thanks to London South East College for hosting the meeting at their Orpington Campus.

4.00pm, Tuesday 26^th March 2024

4.00pm, Tuesday 26^th March 2024