Issue - meetings

Committee considered a report in relation to the Quarter 1 outturns (April to June 2020) for the Council’s Ambition Performance Framework 2020-2024 targets and relevant supporting service indicators.

There were 10 targets in total relevant to the Committee.  Seven targets were on track and the following 3 targets had been affected by Covid19.

ECO.01 - Deliver a Business Growth Strategy by March 2021 that will support enterprise, innovation, jobs and skills and makes the best use of our assets.

Due to Covid19, Economic Development staff had concentrated on assisting businesses affected by Government directed closures from mid-March 2020 into Quarter 1 2020/21. 19 Business Bolsover Ebulletins were issued to alert businesses and partners to the emerging support and grant aid packages.  Economic Development officers worked with DCC, other Derbyshire LA’s, and county wide partners on the County & District Liaison Group to address the issues arising across the County during the pandemic.  A BDC Recovery Plan was drafted to pull together the programmes and assistance and also looked at emerging issues, funding options, delivery mechanisms, and timescales.  BDC received Local Authority Discretionary Grant funding of £622,750 for businesses who were not eligible for the Business Rates grants.  The Economic Development Team (EDT) participated in the county wide discussions to ensure uniformity in the schemes eligibility criteria and application process, and then promoted, assessed and awarded the Discretionary Grants, with 68 businesses receiving a grant.  Work had continued to support the application seeking funding for the proposed Technology Centre, and the application for the Construction Skills Partnership, which is progressing through appraisal.

A Member requested his gratitude be passed to the Economic Development Team, and noted in the Minutes, for the diligent way in which they had ensured that the available grants from Government had been administered to local businesses.  Although there had been slight delays for some businesses, these had been dealt with straight away.

ECO.03 - Working with partners to bring forward employment and development opportunities at Coalite and Clowne Garden Village strategic sites by 2023.

Working with partners had been temporarily suspended due to the strictures imposed by Covid19, and the need to address urgent issues arising from the economic downturn. Now that partners and businesses were re-opening, work could re-commence in the near future.

A Member raised concern that as well as it being reported on social media by Bolsover residents, she had noted that a pungent smell continued to eminate from the former Coalite site.  She queried what was being done to address this as it would detract from any potential businesses wanting to be based on the site.   The Assistant Director - Development replied that he was aware of the problem which seemed to happen when it rained.  He had been advised that the smell was not toxic and not a public health issue.  However, he would speak to Pollution Control Officer from Environmental Health regarding the mitigation measures in place.

Another Member referred to the proposed development of Clowne Garden Village and if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22