ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUB-GROUP
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE OFFICES OF CRE8TE,
CASTLEBRAE BUSINESS CENTRE, PEFFER
PLACE, TUESDAY 14th
AUGUST 2007 AT 2.00 PM
1.
PRESENT
Neil Scott - Chair Cre8te
Jenny Ewing Capital City Partnership
Jane Kerr Capital City Partnership
Bruce Heil PARC
John Quinn PARC
Martin Smith Worktrack
Sandi McGeoch Worktrack
Liam Smith Fort Kinnaird
Gerry Baker CEC City
Development
Janet Barnes Business
Community Connections
John Palmer Craigmillar
Partnership
Graham Rowan Craigmillar
Partnership
APOLOGIES
Cllr Maureen Child CEC
Alister Steele Castle
Rock / Edinvar
Kevin Robbie Forth Sector
Cheril von Barsewich Forth
Sector
Alasdair Kerr Craigmillar Business Incubator
Project
Ian Williams Thistle
Foundation
2.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF 29th MAY 2007
The minutes were agreed as a
correct record.
3.
MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Centre for Biomedical
Research
Gerry reported SEEL have concluded
a joint venture an American company, Alexandria JV, which is the world-leader
in creating bio-medical research parks.
In doing so SEEL would cede a lot of decision-making to them. As developers they would provide a package
of support to tenants, including business development support and equity
funding. They think the site is too
small and so have asked for a further 22 acres. This is their first European initiative,
which naturally they hope to make a success; they have re-named the area the
‘Bio Quarter’.
Gerry was asked what track record
they have in relating to local communities and employment initiatives. Bruce said his reading of their web-site
showed little evidence of such activity.
The meeting agreed efforts should be made to establish a relationship
with them. Sandi asked when they are
likely to start work. Gerry thought a
planning application might already have been made for an incubator unit.
3.2
Traffic Impact Study
Graham reported there had been no
response to the Sub-group’s letter to the Director of CEC City
Development. Gerry agreed to
remind the Director, while making it clear there is no study under way.
4
Business and Labour Charter
Bruce reported
links have been made with the main construction companies already on site in
Craigmillar and they have provided lists of sub-contractors. HBG, the contractors for the Primary
schools, have also noted the business opportunities that should become
available.
Bruce
asked about a launch for the Charter and whether the meeting felt there was
enough meat on the bones to attract media attention. Sandi recognised his concern and said it
would be good to have a job-training scheme in place, like the recent Wise
contract in Craigmillar
Castle Park,
before a launch. This could be shown
to be a success as all the trainees involved are now in work.
Martin
however felt it need not be much more than a photo opportunity with the new
CEC Leader for Economic Development, Cllr Tom Buchanan and some main
employers. The important thing is to
have a document signed and agreed, which can then be shown to other employers
and contractors.
Gerry
added CEC believe PARC should be taking more of a lead on this and
re-energise the partnership with them and other relevant parties. In defence Bruce pointed out the joint
Primary schools have few opportunities for community benefit as much of the
building has been pre-fabricated and is simply being erected here. The fitting out of the schools; the house
building and restoration of the burn would need more sub-contractors and
labour.
There
was discussion about running training courses and funding for them. PARC had been funded as an Urban
Regeneration Company by the Scottish Executive for a business plan that
included providing apprenticeships and community benefits. John Quinn responded the Business Plan now
has real costs being incurred and is being much more tightly drawn. If this is a priority CEC can make its
views known through its usual channels in PARC, but it would probably mean
the loss of some other item.
It was
agreed that it needs to be said in public that the regeneration has started
and there is a Business and Labour Charter in place. This means it needs to be launched at some
date in October.
5. PARC REPORT
John Quinn provided the following progress
report:
- The joint Primary schools are
now taking shape and would be completed by summer 2008. They are working hard to overcome
problems with the main utilities.
- Wauchope Phase 1: This is on
site.
- Wauchope Phase 7 is due to
start in September; it has been designed by the same architect as the
school.
- Wauchope Phase 2, of 115
houses, is due to start in November.
The number may increase after resolving what to do with Brenda
House.
- Wauchope Phase 8 is being
developed with Link HA; Smith Scott Mullen have been appointed as
architects.
- Greendykes: They are still discussing Section 75
agreements with CEC for all phases.
- Phase B: They have started infrastructure
works.
- Phase A: They are creating
the design concepts with Places for People
- Phase C: They are
commissioning a development team.
- Castlebrae football pitch is
completed and handed over to CEC Children & Families. The surface is a top range,
all-weather surface that professional footballers play on. They hope the pavilion can be
completed in the New Year; there is still an issue about its costs.
- Hearts Supporters Club: A
paper would go to the PARC Board recommending making a planning
application for the Niddrie House site
- Prestonfield Park (the extension of King’s
Haugh Industrial Estate): In October they would be constructing 15
starter industrial units of 1,000 sq ft each, finishing in July
2008. Neil added Cre8te would be
the joint letting agents with Ryden and would be planning the marketing
from the start. The only access
to the area is through King’s Haugh.
- Meadows: Bruce said they have
commissioned an organisation called ‘Projects for Public Places’, who
have also worked with CEC and Greenspace, to hold two consultations on
29th August. Any work
on the Meadows depends on the Niddrie Burn proposals starting.
Town Centre Master Plan: The designers have produced a
consultation programme, including two public meetings on Saturdays at the end
of August and beginning of September and then two further feedback meetings
in October. They would meet with the
Community Council and the C & DBA.
A second meeting was held with representatives of the Partnership
sub-groups.
Community High
School and Lifelong Learning Centre: John Palmer said the papers had
been provided to note discussions that had taken place about the library and
LLC part of the building. John Quinn
added the designers had yesterday met the school staff. They would also consult with the library
staff and pupils. They have met with
the Town Centre planners to pinpoint the site.
6. FORT
KINNAIRD DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSALS
Liam said a planning application was
submitted six weeks ago to extend the Fort by 100,000 sq ft; to remove the
cinema and bowling alley and 2 restaurants and replace them with more retail
and food offers. Having somewhere to
eat in the area would keep people there longer.
Newcraighall Road would be closed to public traffic from the
Wisp cross-roads; the area between Gap and Boots would be levelled and a
restaurant and bus turning circle built where the current main roundabout
is. The exact bus route to QMU is
still being discussed with Lothian Buses.
Traffic from the A1 would go to the first
roundabout, left down past B & Q, behind the CCA church building and into
the shopping area. To continue through
to Niddrie a road would be built behind the Porsche garage through to the
Wisp, where it would turn right and then left into Niddrie Mains Road. Fort
Kinnaird is discussing
widening the Wisp with Miller Homes who have plans to build on the old
bing.
In answer to questions he said Newcraighall Road
would only be open to buses and local residents. Colin Buchanan & Partners are the
traffic consultants deciding how this would be regulated. A cycle track is also proposed behind
Cleikhiminrig, but residents are objecting due to a fear of noise from
motor-bikes.
Work is due to start in January 2008 with
the demolition of the tea factory and then the cinema. The road network should be started in
February.
Fort Kinnaird had offered to replace the cinema, but
Odeon had decided not to stay. The
bowling alley was also in financial difficulties. Opening hours would be to 10.00 pm and so
it was expected the restaurants would be open in the evenings. There would be about 200 jobs lost with the
closures, but there should be an overall increase of 500 jobs with the
expansion.
7. CITY
STRATEGY PATHFINDER
Jenny reported the detailed Business Plan
had now been approved by the Job Strategy Group; the Executive Summary had
been circulated with the papers. Each
partner is leading a sub-group on one or more elements with CCP support team
members assigned to assist.
The ‘Greater Customer Reach’ sub-group has
the largest, most difficult remit and so has two support team members. An important aspect is to knit together
employment support with health and social work support and to get the message
across to NHS and social work professions.
Jane works on the ‘Clear Offer to Jobseekers’ workstream.
‘Joined up Infrastructure’ is about better
use of existing funding, joining up existing sources of funding and then
finding new funding. The CSP has
£900,000 available over two years, which would be used to fund work from
other streams. Funding procedures are
being put in place; they are looking for a number of quick hits with projects
that have short lead-ins and low set-up costs. Applicants should seek a champion from one
of the key partners.
They have proposed these funds should be
used for three purposes:
- A small area pilot;
- Supporting joint work by NHS
and employment services; and
- A project pool.
The purposes of the small area pilot
include: to reach the long-term unemployed and inactive within a specified
neighbourhood area who are not engaging with employability services; to pilot
an approach appropriate to Edinburgh which can be replicated across the wider
disadvantaged areas of the city; using a community-based approach which seeks
to change permanently the local culture and engages the support/participation
of mainstream and other existing services (JCP, intermediary, NHS, Social
Care). The project should therefore set targets which are additional to but
complementary to those already set locally. CCP has accepted the task of
taking this forward and is considering whether the pilot should be located in
Craigmillar or Muirhouse.
In reply to Martin she said applications to
the project pool could run on from this year to the next. There is also scope for levering in
European funds; CEC is leading on this and looking at city-wide
initiatives. John Quinn wondered
whether PARC could put together a project for the Business and Labour Charter
to go to the CSP. Jenny responded the
CSP is obviously focused on the CRF areas and attempting to meet ROA targets,
but the amount available is small and they are trying to make best use of
what is available.
Jane drew attention to the discussion
paper, ‘Employability in Local Areas’, which highlights the offer that must
be made to the jobseeker. The Job
Strategy Group would consult and then formulate proposals along the following
lines:
1.
an
assessment of the jobseeker’s needs;
2.
seamless
referral
3.
information
sharing through Meganexus;
4.
a link
to employers, particularly through pre-recruitment training;
5.
a link
to financial literacy sessions;
6.
effective
levels of after-care to support job retention.
To help with this she needs details of the
relevant organisations in Craigmillar that relate to employability. It was agreed she would contact the
Partnership for help with this.
Bruce queried why one of the
recommendations in the paper was more research on the NEET group. Jenny concurred that this group is not
actually driving the CSP.
John Palmer asked about the dichotomy of
supporting people who have just come on to IB compared to those who have been
on it for some time. Jenny replied the
Jobcentre+ Pathways to Work scheme would start in November and this would
help with new claimants. To achieve
the employment rate target (82%) the strategy would have to reduce the
numbers of people who have already been claiming two or more years.
The CSP is also working on enabling
measures, for instance, extending training for work to younger age groups. Another
concerned Scottish Executive policy on community benefit clauses in major
construction contracts. They had just received a near-final report from the
Executive’s Procurement Division on this topic, which would form the basis of
further discussion with the Executive.
The meeting asked to be kept informed of progress on this.
9. WORKTRACK
Martin made a brief report:
1.
They
are using their new ESF funding to target the NEET group. They have a new client adviser and business
link worker.
2.
They
are concentrating with JC+ on stopping new IB claimants from becoming
long-term claimants.
3.
In
examining their client profile they have recognised there is a category of
people who do not claim benefits, largely because of the hassle involved,
rather than because they are effective jobseekers.
4.
They
have met with PARC to discuss other sources of funding, perhaps through the
construction skills action plan. PARC
has pointed out there is much environmental construction work that needs to
be done which could form the basis of a skills training programme run by an
ILM.
5.
They
are planning pre-recruitment retail and construction training re Fort Kinnaird
and Christmas employment.
6.
They think
they have sufficient level of activity to be able, with political support, to
make their own bid in the new round of European funding. This should be by October with an April
2008 start.
10. LOCAL BUSINESS ISSUES
Neil reported they were part of the
consortium that had won the new contract for business gateway services. They may also bid for ERDF funding.
11. EMPLOYMENT
IN THE CRAIGMILLAR AREA
John Palmer said
the paper was for noting and he was still discussing discrepancies in the
figures with the Office of National Statistics. Gerry pointed out that ‘Travel to Work
Area’ was not really the correct term for the area John had defined.
On the issue of
part-time work, Martin pointed out improvements in transitional benefits had
now made this a more attractive option.
As for the creation of more full-time jobs, the meeting thought the
development of more industrial units as in the new Prestonfield Park
could only be beneficial. The number
of higher level jobs in the area, or coming to the area indicates the
continuing need to work on training, up-skilling and supporting people in
work.
AOCB
There was none.
10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 24th October
2007 at 2.00 pm in the Cre8te Boardroom.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE OFFICES OF CRE8TE,
CASTLEBRAE BUSINESS CENTRE, PEFFER
PLACE,
1.
PRESENT
Neil Scott - Chair Cre8te
Jenny Ewing Capital City Partnership
Bruce Heil PARC
John Palmer Craigmillar
Partnership
Graham Rowan Craigmillar
Partnership
APOLOGIES
Martin Smith Worktrack
Alister Steele Castle
Rock / Edinvar
John Quinn PARC
Kevin Robbie Forth Sector
Alasdair Kerr Craigmillar Business Incubator
Project
2.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF 27th MARCH 2007
Jenny asked that the minutes on
Item 6, City Strategy Pathfinder show:
- The Business Plan would go to
the Job Strategy Group (JSG) in June to be approved there. It would then be taken by partners to
their parent organisations to obtain individual approval from them.
- Proposed representation by
the FE Colleges would go to the next JSG.
- Enabling measures in the Business
Plan include improved data systems, for instance to more easily show job
outcomes.
- The JSG had recognised the
conflicts of interest that would occur if service providers sat in the
JSG with funders. It was
therefore thought the key group for them was JU4Js.
- It is hoped rather than
expected that funding would be provided for the six year life of the
Business Plan
The minutes were then agreed as a
correct record.
3.
MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Centre for Biomedical
Research
Bruce reported SEEL have appointed
an American company, which is the world-leader in creating bio-medical
research parks, as the preferred developer.
They also want to add a further 22 acres along the Old Dalkeith Road to the park.
4.2
Town Centre Consultation Group
Neil reported interviews were held
last week with master planners. The
applicants were being told who had been successful. They would not start work until at least
the middle of June and so it was unlikely another meeting of the consultation
group would be held before the end of June.
The appointed planners would have
to work very closely with the architects for the Secondary School, who are
also being appointed.
4.3
European Applications
Graham reported Worktrack’s successful
application to ESF in the shadow round totalled £327,272 with an intervention
rate of 45%, so amounting to £147,272 for one year. There was no information about Haywired’s
application.
4.4
Traffic Impact Study
Graham reported he had
received no reply to his letter to CEC Director of City Development asking
for a full traffic impact study of the area to be completed to inform the
planning decisions. The meeting noted
this still remains a bone of contention and for instance, is holding up the
infrastructure works in Greendykes North.
5
Business and Labour Charter
Bruce
spoke to the circulated note and added he had met with Sandi McGeoch of
Worktrack and the Construction
Academy to ensure their
activities with construction companies were co-ordinated. They had pointed out they would need more
resource to meet the demand from the companies when there is more activity on
the ground. He would also meet with
the City Strategy Pathfinder team.
He had
also met today with CBIP and they too had indicated the need for more resource
to help co-ordinate local business activity.
He would meet with Gerry Baker to discuss this.
On
monitoring and targets he would be seeking guidance from John on what information is currently
available. They need to collate
information from CBIP and Worktrack, plus they can add in the apprenticeships
PARC is creating. John thought contractors would need to give
details of their workforce and sub-contractors to show how they had met their
intentions in their tenders.
Bruce
and Neil commented on the very positive attitude shown by QMU about community
involvement and their role in the regeneration of the area.
5. PARC REPORT
Graham and Bruce noted the following points:
- The joint Primary schools are
now taking shape and will be completed by summer 2008.
- Wauchope Phase 1: Boards and
fences are going up and the road will be closed from today.
- Wauchope Phase 7 is due to
start in September; it has been designed by the same architect as the
school.
- Wauchope Phase 2 is due to
start in November.
- Greendykes: The road access
to Greendykes South (the 1,000 Persimmon houses beyond the Niddrie burn)
is still to be agreed. Transport
planners argue there should be access to the Wisp, while some
representatives of the community argue this would turn this area away
from Craigmillar and there would be no local benefit from the
development. Until this is
resolved the infrastructure works for Greendykes North, Phases B and C
cannot start. Phase B is due to
start on site in the autumn.
- A CPO has been issued for the
land for the Public Transport Link to the hospital.
Demolitions: The houses along Niddrie Mains
Road would be down by the end of September.
There is still one tenant and one owner/occupier in the area. Legal proceedings have been started, although
if it comes to having to CPO the owner/occupier this could take two years.
6. CITY
STRATEGY PATHFINDER
Jenny spoke to the Targets paper that has
been sent to the DWP and will go to the JSG next week. The headline target is to increase the
proportion of working age people in employment from 78% at present to
82%. This is above the government
target of 80% in employment.
The DWP has set a target of reducing the
number of people on key benefits by 3,416, which is a 5% reduction on the
forecast number of people on JSA, IB and IS for Lone Parents. Other Pathfinders had complained to the DWP
about this 5% reduction and they had agreed to reduce it to 3%. The JSG would consider this next week and
may be minded to keep the 5% target.
The Pathfinder would also support ROA
targets to reduce the gap between the most deprived areas and the city
average and monitor indicators such as the employment rate of BME people,
ex-prisoners, substance misusers etc.
It would also try to monitor levels of child poverty.
Evaluation would also take place on the
processes used to implement the City Strategy and other soft indicators.
Being a Pathfinder does not however mean
the city would receive any new money.
The aim is to get more outcomes from existing funding. There is however an extra large tranche
this year of Deprived Area Funds, which is allocated to JobCentre+, because
the allocation last year was made late and so they have been allowed to roll
over the under spend.
John said he had queried the actual numbers in
the Targets paper with the officer responsible for it. The data source used for the working age
population had a lower figure than that provided by the General Register
Office; on this basis, the actual numbers who would have to enter work to
improve the employment rate would also be higher, making this a harder target
to reach. He also thought the 5%
reduction in the numbers on IB and IS were high targets. Evidence in Craigmillar over the last four
years was there had hardly been any reduction in the numbers on these
benefits.
John asked about the involvement of NHS Lothian
in the Pathfinder. It was crucial the
link between health and employability was made and health professionals are
informed about what is available on the employment access front. Jenny said Tim
Montgomery is a member of the JSG and is looking at the way
LHP money can be aligned. The
Condition Management pilot, which has helped to ensure people can stay at
work or not go on long-term benefits, would be mainstreamed in
JobCentre+.
She agreed it was important to see
employment as being one part of recovery and hoped this view would become
more widespread. Health professionals
are also an important source of referrals for employment services and this
should be nurtured by making sure they have the information about what is
available and what their clients can expect.
It was agreed Jenny would attend a future meeting of CHACC to
inform them about the Pathfinder.
John also asked about employer engagement. Employers may be reluctant to take on
people who had been far from the labour market and would the Pathfinder be
able to introduce active labour market policies. These could include things like assisting
employers with training needs assessments, providing employer subsidies
equivalent to those for New Deal, expanding ‘Access to Work’ and giving more
support for work tasters. Jenny said
there was an ‘employer engagement’ strand in the business plan which could
consider these points.
7. WORKTRACK
In Martin’s absence there was no report.
8. LOCAL BUSINESS ISSUES
CDBA: Neil said there had been an open meeting of the Association on 24th
April, with John
Quinn talking on PARC developments and the CB&LC.
In John
Nolan’s absence the meeting noted the Retail Safety Forum organised by him.
9. AOCB
There was none.
10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 14th August
2007 at 2.00 pm in the Cre8te Boardroom.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE OFFICES OF CRE8TE,
CASTLEBRAE BUSINESS CENTRE, PEFFER
PLACE,
1.
PRESENT
Neil Scott - Chair Cre8te
| 