Issue - meetings

Verbal update

Councillor Bull, Cabinet Member for Local Investment and Economic Growth, appeared before the Committee and outlined his areas of responsibility within his portfolio. The Councillor then responded to questions from the Committee and the following information was noted:

a.    The Cabinet Member informed that the unemployment rate in Haringey was 4.5%.

b.    Regarding monitoring the impact of the Liveable Crouch End scheme on the surrounding area, the Cabinet Member invited local businesses to provide any information that demonstrated the scheme was having an impact on their business. Officers noted this was an ongoing pilot scheme and would provide fuller findings of the economic impact on the area to the Committee when they became available.

c.    In response to a question regarding encouraging businesses to provide jobs to local residents, the Cabinet Member noted there were provisions within the Procurement Strategy that had weighting in favour of businesses that sought to provide local residents with jobs. The Cabinet Member noted the Community Wealth Building fully supported the encouragement of local residents being provided with jobs where the Council provided investment and development. 

d.    Regarding assisting young people for the future by preparing them for the job market, the Cabinet Member noted Haringey Adults Learning Service should be able to assist in that area. He would also explore with the Cabinet Member for Children and Families what extra support and assistance could be provided to young people which ensured they were fully prepared for the job market.

e.    Regarding the support that the Council would provide to businesses on struggling high streets, the Cabinet Member noted general improvement was required such as cleaning up the streets and removing graffiti to make them a more attractive business investment. The Cabinet Member reiterated support for encouraging the employment of local residents from new business areas regenerated. With regard to Wood Green High Street specifically, Officers added that there was a piece of work underway called the Wood Green Place Shaping Manual which sought a collaborative approach between councillors, the community, and departments of the Council to identify projects that would help improve Wood Green High Street.

f.     Officers noted the Section 106 provided for major schemes to contribute to Haringey Works which provided free employment and skills support exclusively for Haringey residents. It also provided for funding to be made to the Haringey Construction Partnership which facilitated local employment in the construction sector.   

g.    Regarding the High Road West Strategy, the Cabinet Member recognised businesses concerns and informed the Committee there were plans to work with the Peacock Industrial Estate businesses to find alternative locations for them to continue their businesses in Haringey, or as close to the borough as possible.

h.    The Cabinet Member noted that the two small business loan funds would be available for start-up companies as well as existing businesses in Haringey, if the businesses were able to provide a credible business plan. The two council-run small business loan funds were the Opportunity Investment Fund and the new Productive Valley  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8