Issue - meetings

Purpose

To provide a brief summary of the on-going response to the COVID pandemic highlighting actions undertaken since the last report in July 2020 to support businesses and residents.

The report was introduced by Mark Pembleton, Economic Growth Manager and Jane Lamer, Business Manager Regeneration. 

Mark Pembleton said that the government has put further funding in place for starter loans and officers are helping businesses to look for these starter loans.  They are also working with Shaping Portsmouth to make the pop up business school a permanent feature for the city. It was hoped this would be in place next year. 

Jane Lamer updated members on the work and health programme which now had now supported 73 adults into employment since March 2020. With regard to the Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) they had secured 15 jobs for unemployed adults since its commencement.  

In response to a question Jane said that the value of the Kickstart programme is that they become employees for 6 months on a 25 hour a week contract and are paid at least the National Minimum Wage.  Employers can then choose to take them on after the 6 months has ended.  Members were very happy to hear this.

Members thanked officers for the thorough report and all that they are doing to help local businesses and people considering all the difficulties this year.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.