Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director – Enterprise, Community and Resources, informing them of the current performance of the Halton Business Growth Programme.

It was noted that the Business Growth Programme within Halton was part of City Region initiative designed to assist Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to grow and create employment.  The Programme started in January 2016 and was due to finish in December 2018.  The Programme provided assistance by commissioning external suppliers to undertake a two stage intervention with eligible Halton businesses, as described in the report.

Information was provided to Members on performance against company assists and performance against jobs created, both since the start of the Programme up to November 2018. 

It was reported that following discussions with City Region partners, it was anticipated that the Programme would be extended to cover the period 2019 – 2021.  If secured it would have a target of assisting a further 95 businesses and creating an additional 95 jobs.

In response to Members queries, the following additional information was provided:

·       The process of how a company was helped from the initial enquiry to a 6 month follow up was outlined;

·       There was a variety of ways in which the service was promoted: via Halton Chamber of Commerce; word of mouth; newsletters; mailing lists; referrals from Elected Members and exhibitions;

·       the diagram on page 26 referred to Q4 data; it was noted that this would change as it would include data up to 31 December 2018; and

·       One Member advised the Board of a Runcorn Company winning a competition on an American TV Programme called Shark Tank.  The name of the company would be investigated by Officers.

RESOLVED:  That the Board

1)    notes the activities and performance of the Business Growth Programme and the support available to Small to Medium Enterprises within Halton; and

2)    notes the proposed extension of the Business Growth Programme from 2019 – 2021, and supports the provision of additional business assistance within Halton.