[Ian Wolstenholme]

Ed,

Adur and Worthing Councils Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee are doing some joint work on this issue by undertaking a scrutiny review on economic recovery in Adur and Worthing. This review is in the very early stages and it is planned to take a scoping report to the July OSC but but we know at this stage that the review will look at how the Councils can support businesses, the community and housing towards an economic recovery.

The Joint Committee will also be undertaking a scrutiny review on fuel poverty in both Council areas which will look at the Council's involvement with fuel poverty in deprived areas. In view of the current economic cilimate this review may reveal issues linking with the recession eg poor housing conditions and low incomes. This review will be scoped in July.

Worthing Borough Council's OSC will also be undertaking a review of the housing needs of residents including advice services and empty properties which are considered important in view of the economic downturn. This review is also in the early stages and will be scoped in July.

If you need any more background please let me know and I can let you have the full scoping information when it has been agreed if it is not too late for you by then.

Regards,

Mark

Mark Lowe - Adur and Worthing Councils

[Robert Jakeman]

In Cambridgeshire, our Joint Accountability Committee, which is comprised of County and District Members and is responsible for scrutinising the Local Strategic Partnership, has a standing item on the recession and reports its findings to the subsequent meeting of the LSP.

So far, the Committee looked at the LSP's initial action plan, then at proposals to support the voluntary sector. The next meeting will look at support for the business sector.

Thus far, the findings are commentary with only one clear recommendation to the LSP (that quality of new housing developments should not be compromised to meet housing targets). However, the Committee indicated that they would like to do a review regarding financial inclusion (i.e. about provision of credit unions and the like) which should yield some recommendations. The elections will no doubt result in a change in membership so the review will take place from July if the new Committee decides to take this on.

Rob

[Josh Mynott]

Lancashire just did a review on Loan Sharks & Credit Unions. It's in the Library, if anyone is interested. It was a fairly short review, but there's some useful points in there.

[James McLaughlin]

Hi Ed,

Here in Newcastle, we've almost completed our report and recommendations for a review entitled 'Encouraging Economic Development in Uncertain Times'. The objectives of the review were:

• To examine whether the existing policies, strategies and procedures (for example, standing orders and delegated powers) provide sufficient flexibility for the Council to undertake its role as a strategic enabler of economic development in the Borough
• To ascertain the role of services within the Borough Council who support the Regeneration Team in encouraging economic development (e.g. legal, customer services, procurement and communications)
• To examine how the Council responds to market failures
• To examine examples of best practice from other local authorities
• To engage with representatives of local business and other key partners involved in enhancing the economic well-being of the Borough
• To recommend improvements where appropriate
  

I'm hoping that it will be complete by the end of this week and I'll upload it to the review library.

James

[Sarah Sprung]

Wyre Forest DC has just concluded a review on Employment & Economic Prospects in the District, recommendations are due to be presented to Scrutiny in June...

If you would like further info please let me know,

Kind regards,

Sarah

Email: sarah.sprung@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

[David Collins]

One of our SCrutiny Committees recently looked at how our Econ Develoment Team measured its own success! They will have another look in 6 months time. E mail me if you want sight.

[James McLaughlin]

Just a quick update, our final report on encouraging economic development in a recession is now in the review library

[Ed Hammond]

Thanks for all your input - I expect I'll be contacting all of you if I haven't done so already!

To back up the report we are also holding a seminar on this topic in London on 15 July. It's an all day event and will cost £99 plus VAT. There'll be an opportunity for discussion of issues relating to the recession with practitioners and researchers (I will confirm speakers in the next week or so).

If you want to book a place, please contact Laura Freeborn on laura.freeborn@cfps.gov.uk, or indeed you can contact me. A booking form with full agenda is available on the events pages.