The D2 Strategic Leadership Board met to discuss the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), the Derbyshire Business Start-Up support scheme, and revisions to its own terms of reference. The board was also scheduled to discuss the EMCCA Community Development Fund and the EMCCA funded Inward Investment service.

Revised Terms of Reference and Hosting

The Strategic Leadership Board was scheduled to consider revisions to its terms of reference and a change in hosting arrangements. Following the withdrawal of Derbyshire County Council (DCC) as the host authority, it was proposed that South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) take on this role.

The proposed responsibilities of the host authority included:

• Maintaining a record of membership of the SLB and any advisory groups appointed
• Summoning meetings of the SLB or any advisory groups
• Preparing and sending out the agenda for meetings
• Keeping a record of the proceedings of the SLB
• Publishing papers and minutes of SLB meetings
• Taking administrative action to give effect to decisions of the SLB

The administrative costs to SDDC were calculated at £34,500 per annum, increasing by 5% annually, and would be paid from the Retained Business Rates held by DCC as Accountable Body. A payment of £2,000 to SDDC was also proposed for advice relating to the transfer of hosting and the revised terms of reference.

The revised terms of reference aimed to provide a clear and flexible framework for collaborative working between the Derbyshire Councils, including:

• Providing a focal point for collective leadership for Derbyshire
• Progressing shared ambitions for the area
• Working together to tackle common issues and challenges
• Enabling resources to be co-ordinated
• Acting as the nominating body for Derbyshire’s appointments of non-constituent members to the EMCCA Board and Committees
• Providing a forum for Derbyshire councils to collectively engage with each other in working with the EMCCA
• Providing oversight of the county-wide Economic Development projects

Extension to the Derbyshire Business Start-Up Support Scheme

The D2 Strategic Leadership Board was scheduled to discuss the progress and achievements of the Derbyshire Business Start-Up Scheme and consider a request for additional funding of up to £0.150m from the Retained Business Rates (RBR) pot to continue the grant element of the scheme. This funding would be used alongside UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) monies to deliver the scheme in FY2025/26.

The Business Start-Up Scheme launched in July 2021 as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. An evaluation report identified the following engagements and outcomes from the scheme:

• 1,105 businesses and individuals enrolled on the first stage of the Scheme between July 2021 and December 2023, comprising 621 early-stage businesses and 484 pre-start entrepreneurs.
• 121 grant applications were approved, totalling £417,609.

The report concluded that:

• 372 of the 484 pre-start beneficiaries went on to create new businesses, and of these 335 were still trading as at October 2024, equating to a survival rate of 90%.
• 605 of the 621 early-stage beneficiaries were also still trading as at October 2024, a survival rate of 97.4%.
• The businesses established by the programme beneficiaries are estimated to have created 1369 jobs, forecast to increase to 1975 by 2031.
• These businesses generated £130m turnover, equating to a gross GVA¹ of £45 million, forecasted to be £47m by 2031.

The report also noted that the scheme delivered a range of other benefits including: facilitating investment in new equipment, enabling beneficiaries to make new business contacts, new product development, and improved understanding of the market for their goods and services.

District and Borough Council Nominations to the East Midlands Combined County Authority Committees (EMCCA)

The Strategic Leadership Board was scheduled to make Non-Constituent nominations to East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) committees. The specific request from the EMCCA was that the SLB provide two representatives and two substitute representatives to be the non - constituent members to each of the following Committees:

• Transport & Digital Connectivity Committee
• Skills and Employment Committee
• Investment Committee
• Housing, Land and Planning Committee
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Audit and Governance Committee

EMMCCA Community Development Fund

The D2 Strategic Leadership Board was scheduled to receive an update on the EMCCA Community Development Fund (CDF) and to consider activity taking place to develop a collaborative approach to supporting EMCCA in the development of the Fund in Derbyshire.

On 10 March 2025, the EMCCA Board approved the establishment of a £3m Mayoral Community Development Fund (CDF) to be delivered across the region over a three-year period (2025-2028). The main aim of the fund is to build community capacity and develop resilience within communities.

The fund will directly support the following activities:

• Procuring a locally based provider(s) to work with the targeted communities
• Supporting community development work to form a ‘bottom up’ approach to tackling local issues
• Training and practical support as required
• Providing a small (capital) grant funding pot to be deployed by appointed providers within targeted areas

Each of the four constituent councils was asked to recommend up to five areas each where the Fund will be delivered.

Update on the EMCCA funded Inward Investment Service

The D2 Strategic Leadership Board was scheduled to receive an update on the Inward Investment service delivered across Derbyshire, focusing on the delivery plan and interim model costs for 2025/26, including activities requested by the EMMCA.

Derbyshire County Council (DCC) secured £125k from the EMCCA to deliver a marketing and inward investment programme to bring new key sector companies to Derbyshire and support investment into the area. The agreement covers the following activities:

• Updating and refreshing marketing collateral relating to Inward Investment opportunities across Derbyshire
• Providing a first point of contact for new inward investment queries
• Supporting the preparation of and attendance at UKREiiF² and other major inward investment marketing opportunities
• Providing intelligence on Inward Investment to enable smarter targeting of inward investment opportunities
• Managing and updating marketing websites
• Creating and delivering marketing and promotional campaigns
• Working alongside other Inward Investment Agencies to deliver on EMCCA wide campaigns

The outputs expected include 12 enterprises receiving non-financial support and the creation of 20 new jobs.