Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Business Portfolio Holder

The Business Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.  He highlighted that the programme has awarded over £400,000 of grant funding to 24 growing local businesses, levered in over £2.9million of private sector match funding and as a direct result of the investment, 66 new local jobs had been created.  He explained that phase two of the programme would build on the success achieved already by providing specialist business advice and grants to support town centre businesses.  The aim was to contribute to increasing the spending, footfall and occupancy within the District’s town centres, local centres and Coalville market.  He proposed an amendment to recommendation two so that it read as follows:

‘Approve the allocation of £250,000 of 2015/16 under spend and delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to spend the budget required to deliver phase two of the Enterprising North West Leicestershire Scheme.’

Members agreed to the amendment.

Councillor T J Pendleton agreed that the scheme was very important as there was a need to create jobs in the area.  He was pleased the opportunity had not been missed.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.   The proposal to launch phase two of the Enterprising North West Leicestershire Scheme be approved.

2.   The allocation of £250,000 of 2015/16 under spend be approved and the authority to spend the budget required to deliver phase two of the Enterprising North West Leicestershire Scheme be approved.

Reason for decision: Approval needed for allocation of £250,000 of 2015/16 under spend to phase two of the Enterprising North West Leicestershire Scheme.