Issue - meetings

The Business Growth Manager explained that significant changes in the department had enabled the securement of a two-year contract for a Marketing Executive who would work with businesses, and the strategy would be undergoing a refresh to reflect the new Customer Relationship Management system and the Council’s ability to interact and engage with stakeholders about how meaningful continued partnerships could be.  As a result, momentum was starting to build and actions in the draft Engagement Strategy had moved on significantly.

The Chair noted businesses in their Ward had experienced positive relations with the Business Engagement Team; it was important, when extra funding and investment was available, for the Council to contact these businesses who would likely prove to be beneficiaries of such schemes as quickly as possible.  The Business Growth Manager added that the Council was very good at talking to businesses when funding and investment was available, but if these businesses engaged with the Council more on the resources and opportunities available to them outside of these extra funding schemes, it would prove mutually beneficial, including on matters of reaching Net Zero.

On a question of reaching out to businesses and advertising what schemes, funding and investment were available, the Business Growth Manager explained these public promotions, such as InTouch magazine, were already taking place, as was direct correspondence to businesses; the key was getting the communication channels correct and keeping them open.

RESOLVED that the verbal report be noted.