The Joint Enterprise Delivery Committee met to discuss and approve funding for business support initiatives, review the progress of the Careers Hub, and consider the management of legacy funds. Key decisions included the allocation of £298,250 for the Growth Hub, approval of the Careers Hub delivery plan, and noting the progress of the ScaleUp Loans programme.

Growth Hub Funding Approved

The committee approved the allocation of up to £298,250 from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) legacy reserves to support business growth programmes delivered through the Growth Hub. This funding will enable targeted interventions in areas such as business growth grants, specialist sector advice, diversification and market expansion support, cyber-resilience initiatives, and the development of investor and finance networks. The government has confirmed core funding for the Growth Hub until 2029, providing a stable platform for its continued operation. The Growth Hub Steering Group will be consulted on the design of all programmes, and the Assistant Director for Business & Enterprise at Staffordshire County Council, in consultation with the Director – Strategy, Economy and Communications of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, will oversee the budget. Progress will be reported to future committee meetings.

Careers Hub Performance and Delivery Plan Reviewed

The committee reviewed the performance of the Careers Hub for the 2025-26 academic year and approved its delivery plan for 2026-27. The Hub has achieved significant success, with 94% of schools across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent participating in its network. A key achievement was the completion of 19,245 future skills questionnaires by young people, exceeding the annual target by 42%. The Hub has also expanded employer engagement, with 70 teachers participating in employer encounters and over 1,000 half-day work experience placements delivered. The committee also approved the continued ring-fencing of reserves to support the Hub's delivery for an additional year, should Careers Enterprise Company funding reduce or cease. Concerns were raised about the demand for work experience placements, with one councillor noting over 100,000 hits on a single police initiative offering 30 places.

ScaleUp Loans Programme Progress Noted

The committee noted the progress of the ScaleUp Loans programme, which provides loans of £5,000 to £100,000 to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) looking to invest in technology, capital equipment, improve productivity, support expansion, create jobs, and enhance energy efficiency. Between July 2024 and July 2026, £1.313 million in loans has been provided, with nearly £1 million already repaid. There have been no defaults to date, although two businesses have temporarily reduced payments due to supply and cash flow pressures. The scheme is being repositioned as a broader productivity, growth, and inward investment tool. Annual updates on delivery and loan recovery will be provided to future meetings.

Fifty500 Technical Study Underway

An update was provided on the Fifty500 programme, which aims to strengthen the case for government investment in the A50/A500 strategic corridor. Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have commissioned AECOM to conduct a technical study, costing up to £30,000, to analyse how National Highways and the Department for Transport assess road schemes. This study will help inform representations to the government regarding improvements to the A50/A500 strategic road network. The committee was informed that the study aims to understand the sensitivity of evaluation models and the level of growth required for schemes in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to be competitive for national investment. Findings will be presented at the next meeting.

LEP Legacy Reserves Position Statement Received

The committee received a position statement on the management of the former Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) legacy reserves. The report detailed spend commitments approved to date against the two LEP Legacy Reserves: the JEDC Unrestricted Reserve and the GPF Loans Restricted Reserve. The committee noted the current uncommitted balances held within these reserves and considered the potential financial impact on the GPF Loans Restricted Reserve should outstanding loan debt not be fully recovered. The committee agreed with the recommendations to note the spend commitments and current reserve balances.