Agenda item

Directors will give a presentation providing an overview of the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission.

The Director Planning of Development and Transportation and Director for Tourism, Culture and Economy gave a presentation using the slides attached to the agenda. This provided an overview of the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission, giving a reminder of the services sitting within the commission. Additional points to note included:

• An unsuccessful procurement exercise had taken place for the train station, and a second procurement exercise is being progressed following review. It was anticipated that this would be taken back to market in the next few months. 
• Figures on the annual maintenance costs for the city bus stations would be circulated to the commission.
• An offer to tour the Waterside development had not been taken up yet by the commission, the invite remained open.
• There had been several successful bids to secure funding from central government over previous years. Projects such as Canopy, Dock and the LCB Depot had all been created largely out of these funds.
• Newly available property and land was usually taken up by businesses very quickly
• Current government funding was typically directed towards housing or transport, so opportunities had now reduced. The Industrial Strategy had been published recently so prospects were being explored. There could be potential to work with the private sector.
• Each asset disposal had a level of certainty with external advice taken from qualified valuers. A report would come to scrutiny on the disposal of general assets.

The Director of Tourism; Culture & Economy provided an overview of his division, noting the following:

• The construction of the new business workspace Canopy (the redeveloped Pilot House) was complete, and was now at the fit out stage. The building was anticipated to open in early September, and would include a new café. The workspace was already 38% pre-let.  The name ‘Canopy’ had been developed with branding consultants to reflect the architecture of the building and the creation of a protective and welcoming space for businesses.

Market rents had been set at a good level and it was estimated that when Canopy was fully occupied in several years this would contribute to the revenue surplus generated by the workspace portfolio and was already factored in to financial planning for the Council.

• Sector training facilities, such as the Construction Hub at Bishopdale in Beaumont Leys supported individuals from disadvantaged communities.
• A high-profile Apprentice Graduation ceremony was due to take place shortly with an anticipated attendance of around 150-200 apprentice graduates.
• The commission would remain updated on timescales for the market place development. A planning application for works on the public realm, in front of the Corn Exchange, had been submitted. Work on the design of the development on the market structure in front of the exchange was ongoing.
• A high profile event showcasing Leicester’s fashion and textiles sector, organised by Fashion Enter, had been delivered at Athena on 14^th May 2025 with 65 local manufacturers exhibiting. This had drawn an attendance of over 1000 people with industry speakers and specialists engaging with that event including local MP, Liz Kendall. Events like these were important to support the core of local manufacturing businesses in the sector, protecting jobs for local communities.
• A Creative and Cultural strategy had just been launched for the city which would support the growth and development of this key sector. One element was recognising that there are opportunities to raise the profile of the Leicester’s creative and cultural economy, and an online platform was about to be launched to do this.
• Regarding the new supported employment programme Connect to Work working across Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland, the Department of Work and Pensions were specific about what funding should be spent on. The aim was for job coaches to work with individuals for up to 12 months to help them to find and stay in work. 75% of the programme was required to be delivered in health settings and would be commissioned out to specialist providers.
• The Get Britain Working Plan will see the development of a partnership strategy to understand and address issues around the labour market, and specifically how to address high levels of economic inactivity. This work has started to look at how a range of organisations support pathways into employment. More information could come to the commission at a later date to review progress of these initiatives.

AGREED:

1)    For figures on the bus station running costs to be circulated to the commission.

2)    For the item on Workspaces Funding (Dock and Canopy) to come to Commission.

3)    That the commission note the presentation.

4)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account.