Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report setting out proposals on a business incubation facility at Charrington’s House in Bishop’s Stortford against the background of changes to business rates, anticipated housing growth and the need to provide employment opportunities to residents. 

The Business Engagement Manager provided a summary of the report.

Councillor J Wyllie supported the proposal, stating that this was something Bishop’s Stortford needed and spoke of the need to review and support growth.

Councillor C Woodward sought and was provided with clarification on the role of WENTA in supporting the Council’s aims and in relation to the proposal now detailed.  The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy explained that what was proposed was a pilot l to explore which businesses showed interest and how the incubator was able to be used. 

In response to a query from Councillor D Oldridge, Members were assured that there would be no post code or other restrictions imposed on those interested in occupying the incubator space (of 55 stations).  

Councillor J Kaye queried what proportion of Charrington’s House was currently used and similar (competitive) space provided locally.  The Head of Strategic Finance explained that she would write to Members with the exact occupation figures, adding that approximately 1/8 was currently populated by East Herts Staff.  From a competitive viewpoint, it was noted that there was limited local office space available.

Councillor M Allen supported the proposal and suggested that Members be provided with an evaluation of the pilot within six months of its operation and then 12 months on.  Councillor D Oldridge and P Boylan stated that identifying targets from the beginning was important.  This would help provide valuable information on business survival rates and successes achieved.  This was supported. 

In terms of the market, the Business Development Manager referred to the links being developed, one of which could bring in customers from the Baltic states.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy agreed to develop realistic targets would circulate these to all Committee Members in advance of the pilot commencement.

Members of Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee considered the proposal in terms of relevance and feasibility and supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the pilot facility proposed be supported and that measurable methods, including specific targets to aid the evaluation of the pilot, such as the number of businesses expressing interest and amount of desk usage taken up be developed and be evaluated at 6 months then in 12 months in order to assess its potential success; and

(B)   a further report be submitted to Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee within six months of its operation and then in June 2018 to consider the results of the pilot study and to consider whether this should be developed further.