Decision details

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Place, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 13.

The report before members sought authorisation to procure services to deliver a bespoke business support package (BSP) across Adur and Worthing. It signalled the rationale for the support package and outlined how a number of funded regional business support programmes were coming to an end, leaving a gap in provision for businesses seeking information, advice and guidance relating to business issues including how to achieve business growth.

Assurance was provided that the business support package was being developed as part of measures to help local businesses grow and contribute to the growth of the local economy. Specific areas to support businesses included innovation, sustainability, leadership and management and start up / micro business advice.

It was indicated that the preferred method of pooling external funding sources to deliver the business support package, included the utilisation of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) and S106 contributions, specifically referencing economic development or business support.

A question was asked about the timeline for the business support package and members were told that the scheme was marked to begin in January 2024.

Decision

The Worthing Sub Committee of the Joint Strategic Committee

1)     Notes the business support landscape and the current limitations regarding resources currently available for start ups, micro, small, medium and large businesses.

2)     Approves the release and pooling of external funding pots to deliver the Business Support Package, including UK Shared Prosperity Funding, Pooled Business Rates and Section 106 monies.

3)     Approves the creation of a budget of £470,500 across Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council for the specific purposes as outlined in this report.

4)     Delegates authority to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources (Worthing) and Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Strategic Planning (Adur), the authority to approve and award contracts for the staff / consultancy work required to deliver the Business Support Package, subject to the development of a procurement strategy and the outcome of a compliant procurement process; and ensuring that the overall programme is within the authorised budget.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decisions will be 5.00pm on 22 September 2023.