Decision details

Launchpad is a city region wide programme delivering business support to pre starts and early stage businesses through Business Advisor one to one meetings, workshops and events.  The proposal will effectively extend the current Launchpad programme which is in its third year by a further three years.  Business Sheffield of City Growth is the delivery partner for the Launchpad programme in Sheffield. 

That the Cabinet Member for Business and Investment:-

(ii) authorises the Council accepting and entering into an agreement for a grant of up to £416,553 from Barnsley MBC for the Launchpad programme over a three year period, effective from 1^st April 2019 to 31^st March 2022;

(ii) notes that Barnsley MBC is the accountable body for the receipt of the MHCLG grant and delivery of Launchpad and not the Council;

(iii) authorises the Council providing match funding of £277,702 towards the total cost of the project, which will come from the City Growth revenue budget;

(iv) approves the award for a grant of £54,759 from the Council to Barnsley MBC over the lifetime of the project;

(v) notes that the Council will be the accountable body for the grant to Barnsley MBC; and

(vi) To the extent not already delegated by the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation, delegates authority to the Director of City Growth in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources to agree any variations to the above funding agreement.

Do Nothing – continue the pre start and early stage business support without Launchpad involvement:

Without the income contribution to the Business Sheffield team from the Launchpad ERDF programme with financial constraints across the Council, City Growth would struggle to find the Council monies required to make up the missing ERDF funding which could result in looking at reducing the Business Sheffield Team.  Business Sheffield runs a very lean service, by providing a workshop programme through its own team and the private sector on a pro bono basis there is no wastage within the team.  The risk of a drastic cut to the service and consequently the city would be high.

This option would also form a reputational risk if Sheffield City Council were not involved in the city region wide Launchpad programme.  If the service for early stage and start-up businesses would be limited and not compare to our city region local authority neighbours who are involved in the Launchpad programme with Sheffield residents and businesses missing out on a similar offer and service.