David Ayton-Hill (Assistant Director – Communities) provided the update stating that due to enhanced government restrictions there were new national government schemes to support businesses like emergency grants for businesses, which were forced to close, based on rateable value and size. The grants were optional to businesses operating a click and collect service. A more discretionary grant scheme called ‘additional restrictions grant’ was also set up which awarded Warwickshire £11 million to support businesses who could not get emergency grants. The county council is working with the Warwickshire district councils to coordinate a standard approach and help and advise businesses on how to adapt for the future. The county council has a selection of economic recovery packages and projects which work with the council’s partners and stakeholders. These include digital training for retailers which helped businesses get online, a growth program to help businesses adapt their business, as well as the loan and grant schemes. There was also a ‘Tech Challenge’ for technological and creative businesses to think innovatively about new solutions that they could put in place to help town centre businesses. 

David Ayton-Hill continued that there was a difficulty responding to redundancies due to the high level of businesses laying off workers. Therefore, a redundancy support programme was set up with the council’s external partners to support businesses who made/may have to make redundancies and see if any measures could be implemented to prevent this or support those affected. The support could be help with job searching, development, financial support or advice around financial management from the Citizens Advice Bureau and business start-up support. He concluded that a redundancy tracker was in place to track what was happening in local areas and adjust to this. However, new businesses have started up in Warwickshire or came to Warwickshire during the pandemic period and central government were consulted with to keep businesses in the area.

The committee praised the report and commended the support provided to businesses and redundant workers.

The Chair informed the committee that any workers made redundant during the furlough scheme can be re-employed and re-furloughed by the workplace that made them redundant for the remainder of furlough. She also praised that the grants were made available to supply chain contractors.

In response to Councillor Holland’s comments regarding the 1980’s economic crash and how Warwickshire County Council coped and provided skilling opportunities with it, Mark Ryder added that the council contacted Warwickshire College about opportunities and the recruiting firm for the new Covid-19 Mega Lab in Leamington Spa, in order to support local employment, businesses and the surrounding ecosystem.

In response to Councillor Kondakor, Mark Ryder responded that the council did not have a choice on where the Mage Lab would be, but they will utilise the opportunity.

Councillors Fradgley and Seccombe noted that jobs and opportunities need to be accessible to both North and South Warwickshire.

Councillor Andy Crump (Portfolio Holder – Fire & Rescue and Community Safety) stated that areas of deprivation exist cross-county and the Mega Lab will provide spin-off benefits. It was noted that a green transport policy will be developed to link all of Warwickshire to the Mega-Lab.

Following Councillor Kondakor’s query about the BMW plant and smaller theatre venues, David Ayton-Hill stated that the BMW plant in Hams Hall will be where the BMW electric engines are developed in the UK and the Arts Challenge Fund worked with the cultural based industries to persuade visitors into town centres; however due to current restrictions this was delayed.

Following Councillor Kondakor’s concerns regarding the agriculture industry without EU funding, Councillor Seccombe replied that the council has a working relationship with the NFU (National Farmers’ Union) and these concerns were raised by the NFU at a recent meeting and she had written to MP’s on behalf of the NFU. She added that they are important for green technology, Warwickshire’s biodiversity, and there are tenant farmers on council land who are members of the NFU.