Issue - meetings

Committee considered a detailed report in relation to a revised draft Business

Engagement Strategy (BES) and action plan following on from an earlier report in March 2023.

The service had secured funding from the LGA of £12,000 which had enabled

consultancy support via the Economic Advisors Programme. The consultancy support had proved invaluable in the Council’s approach and checking the deliverability of the strategy and action plan.

The BES identified three main areas of focus:

·       Insight

·       Connecting with Businesses

·       Communications

The service aimed to use a range of methods to engage businesses to accommodate the variety of businesses within the area, approximately 3000 at present. This included a number of start-up businesses, those operating as ‘work from home’ and those with no location i.e. driving instructors.

A key objective in the action plan was the creation of an account management approach for businesses. This would be enabled by the CRM system recently introduced by the service, which would enable improved communications and efficient data management.

Members were also presented with the first draft of the new InBusiness magazine which aimed to publicise support and showcase local businesses.

It was noted that the target dates presented in the action plan referred to 2022, which was outside the time frame of the plan, and an amended version would be issued to Members.

In response to a Member’s query, it was explained that the system would enable officers to track inward investment, circulate news shots, store basic details about each business, log enquiries for support/funding, and note businesses interest in grants, development, and networking. It would also enable the service to carry out targeted engagement with local businesses.

A Member queried how the initiative linked to the work of the LEP on business

engagement. The officer noted that the service regularly attended LEP meetings to ensure the Council remained on board with LEP programmes. However, a number of funding streams were due to end so a localised approach would now be of benefit to the District. As an additional boost, Clowne Enterprises would be operating at a local level and would be able to signpost businesses to support and grants.

Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Will Fletcher

RESOLVED that:

(1) the revised draft Business Engagement Strategy and action plan be submitted to Executive for formal adoption;

(2) Scrutiny supports a report to a future Council meeting seeking additional revenue budget to be able to deliver the activities as set out in the strategy action plan.