Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Major Projects & Regeneration Manager.

Councillor Brendan Murphy attended the meeting and addressed the committee in respect of this matter

The committee considered a report of the Major Projects and Regeneration Manager updating the Committee on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of a task and finish group that  had completed a review into the Council’s Business Generation Centres in January 2011.

In summary:

·         The Council had continued to support the BGCs at Sandbach Enterprise Centre, Brierley Street Crewe and Scope House Crewe and that occupancy remained high.

·         Operating arrangements across all three BGCs was now more consistent;

·         The Thomas Street Congleton BGC was sold in march 2013, and assistance provided  to those businesses displaced form Thomas street arising from its sale;

·         The Council continued to promote the availability of all commercial floor space to existing and start up business through its investment enquiry service;

·         The practice of providing rent free facilities to tenants in lieu of providing reception services had ceased;

·         Efforts were continuing to commission arrangements with an external provider to promote business incubation facilities. In addition to the new Bio hub facility at Alderley Park, other models were being considered in other parts of the Borough.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress made in respect of the recommendations of the BGC task and finish group be noted;

(b)  That in view of the new economic conditions that have occurred since the recommendations of the Task and Finish group were made, the Environment and Prosperity Policy Development Committee be requested to add this matter to its work programme and investigate opportunities to promote within the borough incubation facilities for start up facilities, and explore further potential opportunities to enlist a partner organisation at a sub regional level.