Herefordshire's Economic Development Partnership Update
REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP GROUP, Held: Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at Plough Lane by VSA Representative Philip Dazeley
It was reported that money was being made available to Citizens Advice Bureau from the Market Towns budget. A bid has been made to the Future Jobs fund to cover a person working a minimum 25 hours per week for at least 6 months to help 18 – 24 year olds find employment.
Area Based Grant The group requested £247,921 but was awarded £100,000. This will be used to support business through the Market towns programme, business booster aimed at Small to Medium Enterprise’s & Micro businesses, training individuals so that they can in turn create growth, to help meet the 43% increase in work related advice requirements, packages to create growth in ‘outdoors’ activities, support for energy generation, and other projects. The Partnership has funds amounting to £1.3 million for capital projects that might be used for a loan scheme for businesses and possibly the 3rd sector if there was job creation potential, and ways in which might also attract European Union money.
The community strategy was reviewed and the 8 priorities examined. These are :-
- sustain existing businesses,
- develop a more adaptable & higher skilled workforce,
- support small businesses & home working through better broadband access,
- improve business accommodation & employment land quality,
- encourage entrepreneurship with higher quality & better paid employment,
- promote Herefordshire as a tourist destination,
- reduce traffic congestion whilst improving air quality, and
- encourage business to reduce CO2 emissions.
The latest report on unemployment statistics for Herefordshire can be downloaded at the foot of this page.
