The Assistant Director, Office of the Chief Executive will submit a report (Document “CV”) which provides an overview of the Bradford District Economic Recovery plan that has been developed by the Bradford District Economic Recovery Board. The Economic Recovery Board is a partnership board, chaired by Professor Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Bradford with membership from across the business community, public sector partners, education and voluntary sectors.

The recovery plan assesses the impacts of the COVID pandemic on Bradford District’s local economy and sets out the actions we need to take now and over the next two years to accelerate our recovery from Covid-19 by sustaining employment and boosting productivity whilst continuing to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy for the subsequent period.

Executive are asked to note the work carried out by Professor Zahir Irani and partners on the Economic Recovery Board in developing the Economic Recovery Plan. Executive are recommended to ask the Economic Partnership to lead on taking forward this plan for the whole District. In doing this, the partnership will work with other relevant boards including the Bradford District Sustainable Development Partnership, the Bradford District Culture Partnership and the Bradford District Skills Partnership. 

Recommended –

It is recommended that:

(1)       Executive would like to thank Professor Zahir Irani and the Economic Recovery Board members for their valuable contribution to this crucial area of work

(2)       Executive note the approach to Economic Recovery outlined in this report and the accompanying Bradford District Economic Recovery Plan.

(3)       Recommend that the Economic Partnership takes the lead in     taking this plan forward and uses the plan to inform the District’s    approach to economic recovery supported by other appropriate partnership boards including the Skills Partnership and the        Sustainable Development Partnership.

(4)       That these plans are progressed for the whole District, working             with the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Boards and other          partnerships.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Economy

(Mark Clayton – 01274 434558)

The Assistant Director, Office of the Chief Executive submitted a report (Document “CV”) which provided an overview of the Bradford District Economic Recovery plan that had been developed by the Bradford District Economic Recovery Board. The Economic Recovery Board is a partnership board, chaired by Professor Zahir Irani, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Bradford with membership from across the business community, public sector partners, education and voluntary sectors.

The recovery plan assessed the impacts of the COVID pandemic on Bradford District’s local economy and set out the actions we need to take now and over the next two years to accelerate our recovery from Covid-19 by sustaining employment and boosting productivity whilst continuing to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy for the subsequent period.

Executive were asked to note the work carried out by Professor Zahir Irani and partners on the Economic Recovery Board in developing the Economic Recovery Plan. Executive were recommended to ask the Economic Partnership to lead on taking forward this plan for the whole District. In doing this, the partnership would work with other relevant boards including the Bradford District Sustainable Development Partnership, the Bradford District Culture Partnership and the Bradford District Skills Partnership. 

Professor Zahir Irani was present at the meeting and stated that the pandemic had occurred at a time of real change with Brexit and climate change at the forefront.  The recession that had followed the pandemic had resulted in a  large contraction of the economy, as well as creating an educational, health and societal crisis.

In the Bradford context unemployment rates had seen a marked increase and with our larger young population and black and minority ethnic communities, the Bradford district was seeing a disproportionate impact.  To this end, together with the low skills base there was a need to address digital and physical connectivity.  As well as addressing these issues there was a need to recognise, enhance and promote the architectural assets of the district and really project Bradford as a place of growth and opportunity.

One of the key aims of the recovery board would be to boost all sectors of the economy and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusivity were important facets in this.  So this was a strong plan informed by a number of key factors and one which had received good feedback from esteemed business leaders.

The Leader in welcoming the work thus far stated that she was encouraged by the level of business engagement and the endorsement of the plan by business leaders.

A representative from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority was also present and in endorsing the plan, stressed the synergy between the Bradford Economic Recovery Plan and the regional plan, and that many common themes ran between the two plans.

The Leader stressed the need for Government to fund economic recovery on a more sustainable footing and one which encompassed a better regional approach.

Portfolio Holders echoed their support for the economic recovery plan and the benefits it would bring in addressing some of the key challenges in their respective areas such as reducing carbon emissions; a more sustainable district; improve skills, education and create job opportunities.

The Leader of the largest opposition group was present at the meeting and echoed the sentiments expressed in the Plan and the need for all partners to work together to realise its benefit.  In response to a number of issues raised by the opposition group leader, it was stated that there would be cross party representation on the Economic Recovery Board and that business input and ideas would be welcomed by the Board.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Executive would like to thank Professor Zahir Irani and the Economic Recovery Board members for their valuable contribution to this crucial area of work.

(2)       That the approach to Economic Recovery outlined in Document “CV” and the accompanying Bradford District Economic Recovery Plan be noted.

(3)       That the Economic Partnership takes the lead in taking this plan           forward and uses the plan to inform the District’s approach to         economic recovery supported by other appropriate partnership boards including the Skills Partnership and the Sustainable        Development Partnership.

(4)       That these plans are progressed for the whole District, working             with the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Boards and other          partnerships.

ACTION: Assistant Director Place/Office of the Chief Executive

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Economy