Item 7 (14-233)

7
PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL
Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee
4 June 2014
GrowBiz Project
Report by Executive Director (Environment)
This report provides an update to Committee on the activities and the related
outcomes delivered by the GrowBiz project in 2013/14.
1.
BACKGROUND
1.1
The Council approved two years funding towards the GrowBiz project in
February 2013 and a report was presented to this Committee in June 2013
which outlined current and planned activities for the period 2013/14. It was
agreed that a report would be brought back to the Committee to outline
progress against the targets outlined.
2.
FUNDING POSITION
2.1
The Council had previously provided matched funding for the GrowBiz
LEADER funded project which was due to expire in March 2013. However,
both the Council and the Scottish Government agreed to provide further
funding (£20,000 per annum each for 2013/14 and 2014/15). This funding is
used to run the “core elements” of the GrowBiz project, namely to support the
one to one Business advice service and to support the expansion of their Peer
Support network.
2.2
The GrowBiz project has also attracted additional funding from the Royal
Bank of Scotland’s Inspiring Enterprise Fund to run a Women’s Enterprise
project in the Coupar Angus area. In addition, the Perth & Kinross Change
Fund in 2013 awarded the organisation funding of £14,600 per annum for a
two year period to undertake a pilot project to support the growth of new
businesses linked to the opportunities arising from the Self Directed Care
agenda. For information their accounts highlight Restricted Funds/Reserves of
£24,962 as of end of June 2013 (compared to £12,611 in 2012).
3.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES FOR 2013/14
3.1
In the period from 1 April 2013 to the end of March 2014, 95 clients were
supported with one to one advice by the project. The majority of clients were
from the Blairgowrie/Rattray/Alyth/Coupar Angus and Meigle area (67%), with
the next largest group being from the Aberfeldy/Pitlochry area (11%). The
target figure originally set for one to one clients was 75.This support has
resulted in the creation of 35 new businesses, the expansion of 17, the
diversification of 5 and helped to secure the retention of a further 11.
95
The clients and businesses had sought a wide variety of support with the most
frequent advice being requested for initial business concepts, marketing,
general operations, and financial management.
3.2
In terms of the Peer Support activities, there have been regular meetings of
various Peer Support groups facilitated by the project. Since April 2013, 58
group meetings have taken place, attended by 344 individuals (with 133
unique attendees).These have developed over the year to offer different types
of group activities including learning sessions, sectoral groups
(Complementary Therapists) and groups targeted at clients with health and
disability issues, in addition to more generic sessions in Blairgowrie, Birnam
and Aberfeldy. The target for 2013/14 was to support 25 additional
businesses/individuals through the various Peer Support groups and this has
been exceeded.
3.3
There has also been improved collaboration with the Council’s Business
Growth Team who have held a number of business development workshops
in the Eastern Perthshire area, including a Marketing Masterclass series and
a Selling Skills Masterclass series, which have benefitted a number of
Growbiz clients. Further collaboration is planned for the remainder of 2014,
and it is hoped that GrowBiz will host an event during the Business and
Enterprise Month in October/November.
3.4
GrowBiz have also revamped and improved their website http://growbiz.co.uk/
and have increased their usage of social media including Facebook (Growbiz
Perthshire) and Twitter (@Grow_Biz) to help them reach new and existing
clients.
3.5
The funding from the RBS Inspiring Enterprise Fund has led to the
establishment of a Women’s Enterprise project in the Coupar Angus area.
Some 70 individuals have already signed up for support and around 15
regularly attend the monthly network meetings.
3.6
The Creative Care Project funded by the Challenge Fund also is progressing
well, with a number of workshops already held and planned throughout 2014.
They have also developed a specific Peer Support Group around the Care
theme and meetings have been held in Blairgowrie, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry.
4
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1
The GrowBiz project has continued to evolve and develop, assisted by the
funding provided by both the Council and the Scottish Government. The
funding has allowed them to continue to provide their “core” services of one to
one advice to individuals seeking to potentially establish a small business, or
to provide advice to existing businesses. In 2013/14, they have also grown the
range and number of Peer Support groups which form the second main
element of their core service.
96
4.2
The Committee is asked to:(i)
(ii)
Note the activities and outcomes delivered in 2013/14 by the GrowBiz
project
Confirm the further funding award of £20,000 to GrowBiz for 2014/15.
Author
Name
Alison Seggie
Approved
Name
Barbara Renton
Designation
Enterprise Manager
Contact Details
alseggie@pkc.gov.uk
01738 477953
Designation
Depute Director
(Environment)
Date
12 May 2014
If you or someone you know would like a copy of
this document in another language or format, (On
occasion only, a summary of the document will be
provided in translation), this can be arranged by
contacting
the Customer Service Centre
on
01738 475000
Council Text Phone Number 01738 442573
97
ANNEX
1.
IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND
COMMUNICATION
Strategic Implications
Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement
Corporate Plan
Resource Implications
Financial
Workforce
Asset Management (land, property, IST)
Assessments
Equality Impact Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Sustainability (community, economic, environmental)
Legal and Governance
Risk
Consultation
Internal
External
Communication
Communications Plan
1.
Yes / None
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Strategic Implications
Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement
1.1
The Perth and Kinross Community Planning Partnership (CPP) brings
together organisations to plan and deliver services for the people of Perth and
Kinross. Together the CPP has developed the Perth and Kinross Community
Plan which outlines the key things we think are important for Perth and
Kinross:(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
1.2
Giving every child the best start in life
Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens
Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy
Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives
Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations
It is considered that the actions contained within this report contribute to
objectives (ii), (iii), and (iv).
98
Corporate Plan
1.3
The Council’s Corporate Plan 2013-2018 outlines the same five objectives as
those detailed in the Community Plan. These objectives provide a clear
strategic direction, inform decisions at a corporate and service level and
shape resource allocation. It is considered that the actions contained in the
report objectives (ii) to (iv) as outlines in paragraph 1.1 above.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
2.
Giving every child the best start in life;
Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens;
Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy;
Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and
Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations.
Resource Implications
Financial
2.1
The budget motion in February 2013 identified a specific allocation for the
GrowBiz project of £20,000 per annum for 2013/14 and 2014/15. The funding
was allocated to the Enterprise Revenue budget located within the Planning
and Regeneration division of The Environment Service.
2.2
The Head of Finance has been consulted on the proposals contained within
the report, and has indicated agreement with the proposal to allocate further
funding to the GrowBiz project in 2014/15.
Workforce
2.3
There are no workforce implications of this report.
Asset Management (land, property, IT)
2.4
There are no land and property or information technology implications arising
from the contents of this report.
3.
Assessments
Equality Impact Assessment
3.1
An Equality Impact Assessment needs to be carried out for functions, policies,
procedures or strategies in relation to race, gender and disability and other
relevant protected characteristics. This supports the Council’s legal
requirement to comply with the duty to assess and consult on relevant new
and existing policies.
99
3.2
The function, policy, procedure or strategy presented in this report was
considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA)
with the following outcome:(i)
Assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA
Strategic Environmental Assessment
3.3
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a legal requirement under the
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 that applies to all qualifying
plans, programmes and strategies, including policies (PPS). The proposals
have been considered under the Act and no further action is required as it
does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt.
Sustainability
3.4
Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the
Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the
achievement of sustainable development. In terms of the Climate Change Act,
the Council has a general duty to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability
and the community, environmental and economic impacts of its actions.
3.5
The proposals contained within the report are assessed to have a positive
impact on sustainability, particularly with regard to the economic and business
growth aspects of sustainable development.
Legal and Governance
3.6
There are no legal implications arising from the proposals contained within
this report.
3.7
In terms of appropriate governance arrangements, the Enterprise Manager
meets representatives of the group twice yearly to review progress. The
GrowBiz project is also required to provide a twice yearly written update on its
activities and outcomes, including full details of businesses and individuals
supported through the project.
3.8
An annual report will be requested from the GrowBiz project to assess
delivery against agreed outcomes.
Risk
3.9
The main risks in relation to this project relate to its ability to secure additional
and on-going funding to maintain its activities in the future. Advice has already
been offered to support the group to secure external or contract funding.
100
4.
Consultation
Internal
4.1
The Chief Executive, the Executive Director (Housing and Community Care),
and the Executive Director (Education and Children’s Services) have been
consulted.
External
4.2
The Growbiz project provided information to support the preparation of this
report and have been consulted on its contents.
5.
Communication
5.1
A press release will be prepared highlighting the Council’s continuing support
for the GrowBiz project.
2.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
None.
3.
APPENDICES
None.
101
102