To scrutinise the Economy Directorate Plans 2020-21 - Quarter 2 Performance Indicators

The Committee scrutinised the progress at the end of Quarter 2 (1st July – 30^th September 2020) towards achievement of the targets contained in the Economy Directorate Plan 2020/2021.

In accordance with the Council’s performance management framework, progress toward targets contained within Directorate Plans are to be reported to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees at the end of each quarter.

11 (100%) of the actions included in the Directorate Plan 2020/2021 were still ongoing and remained to be completed by the action due date.   

The Operations Director (Rochdale Development Agency (RDA)) updated the Committee on regeneration projects that were ongoing or in preparation across the Borough and of the work of RDA.

During the study period 2,628 residents had received employability support from the Council's Employment Links Service and 281 had secured new jobs.  A total of 282 new jobs were created by RDA assisted companies or projects and 149 jobs safeguarded. However, the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Borough’s employment rate figure was not yet possible to fully ascertain.  Members were advised that a new Skills, Work and Health Plan had been approved by the Council’s Cabinet. 

In response to the recent announcement that the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre was to remain permanently closed at the conclusion of the current ‘lockdown’ period, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Director of Economy updated the Committee on assistance that was available to businesses that were located in the Wheatsheaf Centre and to their employees.

Resolved:

1.    The Quarter 2 (1st July – 30^th September 2020) progress towards achievement of the targets contained in the Economy Directorate Plan 2020/2021 be noted.

2.    The Director of Economy be requested to submit a report to the Committee’s next scheduled meeting, on 18^th February 2021, regarding the impact of the closure of the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, Rochdale.