Agenda item

4.1 – Build Proactive Communities – Delivery Programme Report

4.2 – Seize Innovation – Update & SPF Business Start-Up Programme Report

4.3 – Establish Relentless Ambition – Update

4.4 – Live and Work Sustainably – Update & Climate Change Action Plan Prioritisation

13.1 Building Proactive Communities

The Chief Executive of High Peak Borough Council presented an update to the Joint Committee on five potential projects to progress in Phase four;

•        Domestic Abuse

•        COVID 19 Community Impact Assessment

•        VCS Support

•        Independent Living and Low Level Support

•        Walk Derbyshire

It was proposed that a high-level strategic group be established to optimise the benefits of joint working through the detailed scoping of each project and the advancement of a range of key deliverables.

Discussion took place around the need to ensure that the key deliverables didn’t duplicate work already being undertaken in Derbyshire and that finite resources would not be diverted from existing work programmes. The Joint Committee was assured that this was not the intention rather the projects would look to build on good work already being done, address gaps in provision and develop new ways of working to improve the quality of life of the people of Derbyshire.

13.2 Seize Innovation

The Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council presented an update to the Joint Committee on the Vision Derbyshire Business Start Up Support Programme. The Leader was pleased to note an even spread of clients across the Derbyshire districts and also within the City of Derby and the excellent feedback from the entrepreneurs who had to date engaged with the Programme.

There was clearly strong demand for the Programme. The challenge now was how to fund the Programme beyond the current end date, July 2023. Projections had been done to determine the funding needed to sustain the Programme until March 2025 and it was proposed that all nine local authorities (including the City of Derby) should consider allocating a portion of their respective UK Shared Prosperity Funds to support the extension of time.

The Programme was a good example of Vision Derbyshire in action where collaboration was actively fostered between local authorities and other partners. There was broad support from the Joint Committee for the continuation of the Programme through March 2025.

13.3 Relentless Ambition

The Leader of Derbyshire County Council presented a brief update to the Joint Committee on five potential projects to progress in Phase four;

•        Skills Research

•        Graduate Recruitment

•        Procurement

•        Inward Investment

•        Housing Retrofit

The Chief Executive of Derbyshire Dales District Council confirmed that a more comprehensive update would be provided at the next Joint Committee meeting.

13.4 Live and Work Sustainably

The Managing Director of North East Derbyshire District Council summarised the progress to date. A climate change officers’ group had been established to develop and deliver collaborative climate change projects and activities. A Vision Derbyshire Climate Change Strategy (2022 – 2025) had also been developed with the aim to reach the net zero target for Derbyshire by 2050. All member councils had now endorsed the Strategy.

Four key areas of focus for collaborative working had been identified;

1.      Renewable and low carbon energy

2.      Planning

3.      Housing retrofit 

4.      Tree planting

and a workshop held to prioritise the key deliverables for the next three financial years.

RESOLVED –

That the updates be noted.