Issue - meetings

The Board received a report informing them of recent national policy announcements relevant to the Employment, Learning and Skills, and Community Policy and Performance Board (PPB), for the period from the last PPB in September to 31 October 2018.

It was reported that a number of policy, legislation, consultation and guidance documents were issued by Government departments and agencies that had varying degrees of relevance to issues on the employment and learning and skills agenda.  The following announcements within the report were highlighted for Members: New funding for cutting edge quantum technologies; Up to £50 million to develop world leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent in the UK; and Call for new green innovations to tackle climate change.  The Board was advised that there was a concentration of businesses of this nature situated within the Daresbury Sci-Tech and Manor Park sites; some examples of these were provided.  Officers would circulate more information to the Board on these types of businesses in Halton.  It was hoped that companies in Halton would benefit from some of the announcements mentioned.  Further to one Member’s query regarding planned cuts to business rates, it was suggested that some businesses situated in the Town Centre could benefit, if they met the criteria.

It was noted that the information provided was not intended to be in-depth but provided a brief summary of key announcements along with observations of local relevance, where appropriate.  The Board was invited to consider whether to initiate more detailed scrutiny and/or report to a future meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.