Agenda item - Graduate Business Start-ups, Entrepreneurialism and Higher Value Jobs Scrutiny Review Final Report

This report presents the final report of theGraduate Business Start-ups, Entrepreneurialism and Higher Value Jobs Scrutiny Review and asks Cabinet to approve the review recommendations.

[Councillor Burton, as Chair of the Task Group has been invited to attend the meeting for consideration of this item]

Resolved: That having considered the final scrutiny report and its annexes Cabinet agree to note the Task Groups recommendations and to pursue these as part of the work streams for Make it York and the Economic Strategy.

Reason: To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with City of York Council scrutiny procedures

Consideration was given to the final report of the Graduate Business Start-ups, Entrepreneurialism and Higher Value Jobs Scrutiny Review. The review had been set up with the aim of identifying cost effective ways to attract graduates and entrepreneurs to start up or relocate in York enabling the employment of local people at higher than average wages.

Councillor Burton as Chair of the Task Group presented the report and the following recommendations, referring to the work undertaken and the key issues involved.

i. That the Economic Development Unit, Make It York and their partners bring forward innovative proposals to increase the amount of city centre space available for start-up and growing businesses in York by 20% by 2020, the amount of extra space to increase year on year and be reviewed annually.

ii. That the Council look to establish a single point of contact for business advice and develop a communications strategy to more effectively inform business owners and new starters of the assistance the Council can provide by clearly signposting services and to examine how local banks, accountants and solicitors could be used to point people in the direction of the council and its partners for advice.

iii. That named Council support officers responsible for liaison with start-up businesses are clearly indentified on the York Means Business and other appropriate Council websites.

iv. That the Council and its partners work to increase business-to-business mentoring, peer support and networking opportunities for small businesses and the named contacts in Recommendation iii) be responsible for facilitating networking opportunities.

v. That ECDOSC receives reports within six months on the outcomes of the support being provided to new local businesses by the Council.

vi. That interventions through the Local Growth Fund and Make It York support an increase of 5% in employment in professional, scientific and technical activities by 2030.

vii. That the Council construct a comprehensive database and e-list of businesses in the city.

viii. That existing education providers be encouraged to step up provision of business plan writing so people can be coached to develop business plans.

ix. That the University of York be urged to:

· Reallocate University car parking to improve access and increase the attractiveness to visitors to the Ron Cooke Hub, subject to planning restrictions.

· Make more in its prospectus that the university does not claim the intellectual property rights to undergraduate ideas.

The Chair and Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Burton and the Task Group for their work on the review, indicating their broad support for the recommendations and confirming that Make it York would pick up a number of the recommendations.

The Chief Executive confirmed that a comprehensive database of businesses already existed in the city and that all the points raised would be reflected in Make it York’s Service Level Agreement.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved: That having considered the final scrutiny report and its annexes Cabinet agree to note the Task Groups recommendations and to pursue these as part of the work streams for Make it York and the Economic Strategy. ^1.

Reason: To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with City of York Council scrutiny procedures