Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To make the Committee aware of two up-coming events being planned by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) and the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) / Inclusive Growth Network (IGN) focusing on community wealth building and inclusive growth which are scheduled for mid-late November, 2022.

1.2       The detailed programmes for each event have not yet been made available, however, given the subject matter for both events, with a focus on cost-of-living and the importance of focusing on creating inclusive and sustainable economic models, it is suggested that the Chair and Deputy Chair (or their nominees) of this Committee may wish to attend the event(s). 

1.3       The Committee should note that reports and information emerging from both events, such as recordings of sessions and presentations will be made available to Members through circulation to the Committee and the Social Policy Working Group.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                             (i)     agree that its Chair and Deputy Chair (or their nominees) be authorised to attend the Inclusive Growth Conference and the Community Wealth Building Summit; and

                                           (ii)     note that a number of the sessions during both events will be available online with options to join remotely (free of charge) and officers will circulate details of programme when becomes available.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       Two key networking and information-sharing events looking at new economic growth models with a focus on place are being planned for November 2022 by the (i) Centre for Local Economic Strategies and (ii) Centre for Progressive Policy/Inclusive Growth Network.

3.2       The Committee will be aware that the Inclusive Growth Network (IGN) was established in 2020 and hosted by the Centre for Progressive Policy.  It is funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and supported by Metro Dynamics and the Royal Society of Arts. As members, Belfast is one of 12 councils and combined authorities leading the drive for inclusive local economies across the UK. 

3.3       IGN membership provides Belfast with access to a facilitated peer network to draw on practical evidence, knowledge and expertise, as well as a package of support designed to inform and advance our local activity to create more inclusive and sustainable economies. This year the IGN’s programme of support for Belfast includes providing expertise to develop an Inclusive Growth scorecard and reporting framework to assist measure and assess our progress in delivering the inclusive growth ambitions for the city and as a council. 

3.4       The Council also has an established bespoke membership of Centre for Local Economic Strategies which acts as a critical friend to local economies with a focus on practice-based research and a peer network of practitioners to create change as well as promoting and supporting organisations to build community wealth. Members will be aware that CLES are currently supporting the Belfast Anchors Procurement and Commissioning Working Group on the completion of the procurement spend analysis for the additional cohort of organisations.

            Community Wealth Building Summit

3.5       CLES organise an annual one-day Community Wealth Building Summit to expand and explore community wealth building which will take place on Friday 18th November in Birmingham. With a focus on the cost-of-living pressures, this year’s event aims to examine the future of local economic development and the role that community wealth building can play in unlocking solutions to the pressing challenges being experienced in places.  

            Whilst the event is being scheduled to take place in-person, it is understood that a number of the key discussion sessions will be streamed virtually/online and can be accessed free of charge.  The detailed programme for the event has yet to be made available and will be circulated to Members.

            Inclusive Growth Conference

3.6       The CPP/IGN hold an annual Inclusive Growth Conference and networking event, which has been scheduled for Thursday 22nd November, 2022.  This is a one-day event which will be held in-person in central London, with the aim of exploring how inclusive economic growth can meet the long-standing economic challenges of increasing inequalities, low productivity and wages in the context of the growing cost-of-living crisis. The detailed programme for the event has yet to be made available.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.7       The costs to attend each of the two one-day events is estimated to be in the region of £400, with the main costs associated with travel and accommodation.  The costs will be met from Departmental budgets.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

3.8       There are no equality, good relations or rural needs implications relating to this report.”

            After discussion, the Committee agreed, in view of the costs involved, that the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson (or their nominees) be authorised to attend the Inclusive Growth Conference and the Community Wealth Building Summit on an online basis only.