Memorandum submitted by the Forest Heath District Council (EE 17)

 

 

Summary:

 

§ Forest Heath District Council has not been in direct receipt of funds or required to lead on a specific Government programme, however the Authority has worked with (and continues to do so) key partners organisations and agencies to assess and respond to the local impact of the global economic downturn.

 

§ The Authority has addressed a range of issues: to support existing businesses we have held a free event in Newmarket highlighting the opportunities available to businesses, and offered free advice through partners to those looking to start-up a new business. For those looking for advice and support we have increased our funding of the Citizen's Advice Bureau to extend the debt advice service in the district, held a jobs fair and taken information into schools with advisers on hand to help staff, parents and students with questions about related issues. With regards to housing we have used a rent deposit scheme through Havebury Housing Association and begun work to bring the vacant homes at Studlands Park back in to use.

 

 

 

1. On 24 January 2009 Forest Heath District Council and Job Centre Plus ran a Jobs Fair in Brandon following the number of redundancies made there at the end of 2008. Other organisations involved included Business Link East, Kickstart and Connexions. Over 200 people attended and while this number of jobs were not available attendees were able to access information about training opportunities, sign-up with agencies and discuss new business ideas.

 

2. On 10 February Forest Heath District Council ran "Here's Your Opportunity" jointly with St Edmundsbury Borough Council aimed at raising the awareness and profile of opportunities available to businesses which may help them during the current economic climate. From procurement to funding and workforce development to business support a range of opportunities were highlighted through workshops, 121s and a free-flowing exhibition area. Partner agencies included EEDA, Business Link East, Suffolk Development Agency, West Suffolk College, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Council and teams from within the organising Authorities such as Procurement, Revenues and Benefits and Economic Development. Over 130 businesses attended.

 

3. Forest Heath District Council has granted the Citizens Advice Bureau an extra £10,000 to expand the debt advice service across the district recognising this as an area of need by residents.

 

4. We have taken an active role in the Suffolk Redundancy Network together with other local authorities in Suffolk, Job Centre Plus, Business Link East working towards the earliest possible interventions when redundancies are being announced. This is in conjunction with the EEDA funded Response to Redundancy (R2R) provided via TCHC.

 

5. We have used rent deposit schemes through Havebury Housing Association to address some of the housing issues which are arising.

 

6. Different teams within the Authority have worked together with Business Link East to take an information and advice roadshow into local schools to provide staff, parents and students with guidance, support and relevant contacts for a range of issues.

 

7. We are working with the WSLSP to identify and fund a small number of key interventions which will have the most impact across the LSP area. The interventions were identified at a pan Suffolk Economic Summit which was attended by a large number of statutory, private and third sector organisations and have been further explored on a more local basis via agencies such as CAB and Job Centre Plus.

 

8. We are working with the Mid Anglian Enterprise Agency (MENTA) to establish a programme of events and business support to help existing businesses to survive the downturn and to enable individuals to start-up their own businesses-whether as a result of redundancy, seeking to take control of their work life or exploring options for a second income. This is will be joined up with the work of Business Link East in the area.

 

9. Suffolk Chamber of Commerce will be raising its profile in the district and therefore the support and networks it offers through a partnership with Newmarket Business Association brokered by Forest Heath District Council. This will also provide support to businesses requiring guidance and advice during the economic downturn and empower them in learning from each other.

 

10. EEDA funding made available through the Economic Participation Programme based at Suffolk County Council is now available for 2009-10 to support disadvantaged communities in yielding economic outputs.

 

11. We are working throughout the District to enable a programme of Jobs Fairs to combat the growing numbers of redundancies in certain areas, and the possibility of re-skilling. Key partners include Job Centre Plus, BLE, West Suffolk College, Chambers of Commerce and the wider business community.

 

 

20 May 2009