Decision details

Sheffield COVID Business Recovery Plan

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Purpose:

To endorse the Sheffield COVID Business Recovery Plan which the Council has developed in collaboration with the Sheffield Business Response Group.

Decision:

9.1

The Executive Director, Place, submitted a report setting out the priorities of the Sheffield COVID Business Recovery Plan, which has been developed by the Sheffield Business Response Group – a co-operation between the Cabinet Member for Business and Investment and the business community in Sheffield. The report seeks Cabinet endorsement of the plan and notes the new approach to collaboration between the Council and the business community, which will continue as the plan is delivered.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

 

(a) notes the role of the Council in developing the Sheffield COVID Business

Recovery Plan as part of a collaboration with the Sheffield Business

Response Group;

 

(b) endorses the Sheffield COVID Business Recovery Plan as a framework for

action to help address the economic impacts of COVID;

 

(c) notes and acknowledges the role the Council will play in delivering elements of

the Plan as part of the Business Response Group, with the Plan informing

the City’s bids for COVID relief and recovery funding;

 

(d) notes the collaborative approach taken to develop the action plan, creating

the basis for a new long-term relationship with the private sector in

Sheffield, working together to help to shape the city’s long-term economic

Strategy; and

 

(e) notes that a report seeking approval to establish a £2m Fund to support interventions that address some of the economic impacts of Covid-19 would be considered by the Leader in early November.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The COVID pandemic has presented a number of challenges for businesses and the economy which, if not addressed, could lead to long-term issues in terms for employment, business and wages with knock-on impacts on health inequalities and people’s wellbeing. The Sheffield COVID Business Recovery Plan sets out the priorities for the city in addressing these issues and creates a framework for the Council to work alongside the business community to support the city’s recovery,

protecting jobs and businesses.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Do nothing: The Council had the option of not collaborating with the Business Response Group to produce an action plan and instead solely relying on the Sheffield City Region Renewal Action Plan for its response to COVID.  However, this approach would have several disadvantages:

 

1. It ignores the issues affecting businesses at a city level which a regional approach may not always be able to reflect;

 

2. It ignores the vital role that anchor institutions and business networks play in the economy, not only in the more ‘traditional’ economic sphere of business support, transport, infrastructure and skills but also addressing inequalities, public health and environmental sustainability which are intrinsically linked to the economy;

 

3. The opportunity to build a refreshed, more collaborative relationship with the business community would have been missed;

 

4. The process of developing the city’s own plan for business has informed our discussions with Sheffield City Region and allowed the city to better articulate what it needs from the regional plan.  This opportunity would have been lost under a ‘do nothing’ approach.

 

 

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place

 

 

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

 

Publication date: 23/10/2020

Date of decision: 21/10/2020

Decided at meeting: 21/10/2020 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 21/10/2020

Accompanying Documents: