Issue - items at meetings - Social Enterprise Strategy

Report of the Director of Cultural Services (copy attached).

(1) That the strategy be formally endorsed and adopted for the contribution it can make to the economic, social and environmental life of Brighton & Hove.

30.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Cultural Services which requested approval and endorsement for the Brighton & Hove Social Enterprise Strategy.  The strategy aimed to harness the energies of key Individuals and organisations to encourage and support the development of trading with a social purpose.  Implementation of the strategy would result in economic, social and environmental benefits for Brighton & Hove (for copy see minute book).

30.2    The Head of Arts and Creative Industries introduced Thea Allison from the Brighton & Hove Businsess Community Partnership (BCP).     Ms Allison presented the strategy. 

30.3    The Cabinet Member thanked Ms Allison and passed on thanks to staff at the Brighton & Hove Business Community Partnership and staff within Arts and Creative Industries at the council.  

30.4    Councillor Turton expressed his support of the strategy.  He referred to priority 6 (Maximise local economic impact).  He asked how robust this would be in winning contracts in the light of the credit crunch. 

        30.5    Ms Allison replied that business clients all indicated that they put more energy into community engagement in hard times.  Meanwhile businesses that saw community engagement as core to their being would continue to support the partnership.  The Director of Cultural Services reported that 48% of all council contracts went to social enterprise businesses.  

        30.6    The Head of Arts and Creative Industries informed the Cabinet Member that there would be an update report in six months.

30.7    RESOLVED - (1) That the strategy be formally endorsed and adopted for the contribution it can make to the economic, social and environmental life of Brighton & Hove.