Agenda item

This is a progress report on Upstream’s work since it last reported to the PAC in September 2018.

Prema Gurunathan, (Managing Director – Partnership for Growth and Innovation - LBHF & Imperial College) introduced the report which set out the progress on Upstream’s work since it last reported to the Policy Accountability Committee (PAC) in September 2018.

The Chair thanked Prema Gurunathan for the overview and invited questions from the Committee.

Councillor Rowan Ree referenced the September 2018 meeting, when the committee discussed working with large firms that were headquartered in the borough, and how transport links and the supply of affordable housing  were proven ways of encouraging companies to locate within the borough. In turn, this influx of people created spending which supported local businesses. Councillor Rowan Ree asked if the Authority had considered how this might be affected with the current prevalence of working from home. In response, Prema Gurunathan explained Upstream had been in contact with some of the larger firms informally about their return to work plans (which varied). Laboratory based businesses had seen some staff return to work, but most other business were still working from home. Prema explained that Upstream were going to issue a survey to businesses shortly, to ascertain what their return to work plans were and what the implications of phased returns might  be.

In the longer term, Councillor Ree asked whether the Authority had thought about how this behavioural change (of working from home) had affected the offer to larger firms. In response Prema Gurunathan explained that more residents commuted out of the Borough than came in, which was the net flow. Some larger firms based in Zone 1 in central London were looking at reducing their footfall and costs and so were actively looking at the opportunities provided by the borough (including its connectivity, availability of some affordable housing and reduced costs).

Highlighting some of the work which was being undertaken by the Industrial Strategy Board,  Prema  explained that a working group was currently investigating the opportunities to develop more neighbourhoods where residents worked, lived and played, which were also referred to as ‘15-minute neighbourhoods’.

The Chair thanked Prema for the report and commented that it was clear there were a great number of initiatives  that Upstream had developed. Touching on the 2018 PAC meeting, the Chair commented that interesting and creative speakers had been encouraged to get in contact  with science and tech-based businesses and he asked how this had developed. In response, Prema commented that Upstream ran two networking events per month (apart from August and only one in December) and highlighted the activities of the Deep Tech Network (research-based technology businesses) which Upstream had created in partnership with Imperial’s Chemistry Department and Enterprise Division. Examples were also provided of the networking and funding opportunities which arose from the Deep Tech network.

The Chair asked if examples could be provided of those businesses which had engaged with the Deep Tech Network and subsequently decided to relocate to the borough or whether this was still in its infancy. Prema confirmed that developments were still in their early stages, but Developers had provided feedback which been particularly positive about the draw of White City.

In relation to Upstream’s forthcoming business survey, Councillor Helen Rowbottom asked if this would also collect soft intelligence, such as partnerships which had formed, networks, the connectivity the Upstream brand had in the borough, and finally, the digital connectivity around place rather than a geographical one. In response, Prema confirmed that Upstream had captured some of the connectivity data and surveys did contain a tracker element to evidence those  businesses which had been brought together.

Councillor Ann Rosenberg asked about broadband connectivity within the borough and especially the patchy performance in Sands End. She highlighted there were some businesses which were having significant problems and wondered whether these types of issues had been reported to Upstream. In response, Prema explained she was aware there had been problems.

Action: Prema Gurunathan to contact Councillor Ann Rosenberg outside the meeting to discuss broadband performance in the borough.

The Chair highlighted that he had listened to a recent Upstream Podcast on prosthetics for children which he had found interesting and informative and asked how other Podcasts had been received. Prema provided details on the Podcast work which had been conducted so far and some of the firms which had benefited.

Referencing the Oxford Economics report and the future proofing of businesses, Councillor Helen Rowbottom asked how the current climate had impacted upon SMEs. Prema confirmed the impacts had been varied and cited several examples of how firms were reacting and adapting. Asking a supplementary question, Councillor Helen Rowbottom suggested it would be interesting to see at a future meeting what impact the £2.4 million central government grant funding stream  had had on the businesses which received it. Further questions included: whether this funding was sufficient, did the Authority need to ask for more and had the grant been instrumental in saving businesses during the freeze period.

The Chair asked Prema if she could provide some feedback on the some of the recent events which Upstream had hosted and also some thoughts on what Upstream might do in the future (in light of London Tech Week).Prema provided details of London Tech week and it was noted that this involved seven boroughs (one of which was H&F) for an eleven day period. Information and examples were provided on recent collaborative work, including work with Scale Space and a showcase events entitled Tech for Impact which involved four different companies. Further work streams included a fireside chat with a Tech Influencer, various networking opportunities and how social supporting work (with companies agreeing to display their logo on London Tech Week events) operated. Prema explained that Upstream had received a significant amount of positive feedback within the borough for the work it had done.

In terms of the future, (Prema explained that Upstream was jointly funded by the Council and Imperial College 50 / 50) the intention was to develop the business model (looking at a number of possible models, including that of the Knowledge Quarter). In doing so, additional funders would be brought to the table and the funding burden could be spread wider than the two current parties, as Upstream brought benefits and value to companies which did not currently fund Upstream.

Summarising the item, the Chair explained the Committee were impressed by the way

Upstream had developed over the last few years and there were lots of examples where Upstream had provided input and support to numerous start-up businesses. The Chair confirmed the Committee would like a further update to be provided in 12 months’ time.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note and comment on the report.