The Economy, Jobs and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Economy, Jobs and Skills Portfolio, and to review the NewcastleGateshead Local Plan. Councillors reviewed the work programme for the committee, and noted that new governance arrangements may lead to changes in the committee structure.

Economy, Jobs and Skills Portfolio Report

The committee received the Economy, Jobs and Skills Portfolio Report, which outlined the achievements of the portfolio in 2024-25 and its ambitions for the year ahead. The report highlighted the portfolio's role in shaping a fairer, greener, and more prosperous Newcastle.

Key areas covered in the report included:

• Local Community Partnership: The Local Community Partnership (LCP) supported 29 local projects with £1.3 million in grant funding. These projects created 250 volunteering opportunities and supported 340 existing ones. The LCP is a collaborative effort between local voluntary and community sector organisations, volunteers, residents, and the council, supporting initiatives in the outer west and north of Newcastle. A video showcasing resident projects supported by the LCP grant was shown to the committee at the previous meeting[^1]. [^1]: See the Minutes of the previous meeting for more information.
• Newcastle High Streets: The Newcastle High Streets project aims to regenerate key town centres and high streets. In 2024-25, the project focused on Shields Road, Heaton Road, Heaton Park Road, Chillingham Road, and Welbeck Road in the inner east, and Adelaide Terrace in the inner west. Activities included business support, green street initiatives, capital projects, and community engagement.
• Business Support: The Business and IP Centre (BIPC) supported the creation and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations. In 2024-25, the BIPC supported 192 businesses to access grants and a further 317 businesses with non-financial support, assisting 180 entrepreneurs to become business ready.
• Creative Central NCL: Creative Central NCL is a place-making regeneration project that aims to make Newcastle's city centre a vibrant home for creativity. In the past year, the project has helped to create 13 new jobs, safeguard a further 8 directly and 6 indirectly, supported 200 enterprises, and worked on 30 cultural events with over 15,000 in attendance.
• Planning: Newcastle City Council's planning service was recognised as high-performing by the Local Government Association's Planning Advisory Service (LGA PAS). The review highlighted the service's strengths in policy, decision-making, digital innovation, and regional collaboration.
• Major Planning Applications: Several major planning applications were approved, including the Castle Leazes Halls redevelopment, the Benton Park Primary School redevelopment, Pilgrim Place 2, and developments in the Stephenson Quarter.
• Welfare Rights: In 2024-25, the Welfare Rights team helped 6,937 residents secure £14,611,788 of unclaimed welfare benefits.
• NE1 Business Improvement District (BID): NE1 delivers projects and initiatives across business advocacy, attracting and promoting, and city environment. Key activities include business forums, city-centre events, and environmental improvements.
• Digital Inclusion: Get Online Newcastle (GON) supports residents to get online and develop their digital skills. In 2024/25, GON delivered 215 sessions for 949 learners at City, Walker and Outer West Libraries.
• Post 16 Education, Skills, Apprenticeships, Worklessness Support and Good Employment: Newcastle City Learning (NCL) provided education and training opportunities to over 1,881 adults, with learners achieving an average of 3.45 qualifications each.
• Hackney Carriage (Taxi) & Private Hire Licensing: In 2024/25, the council processed 10,754 applications for taxi and private hire vehicle and driver licences.

NewcastleGateshead Local Plan and Employment Land Review Update

The committee received an update on the NewcastleGateshead Local Plan and Employment Land Review. The NewcastleGateshead Local Plan is a joint plan that will guide development in Newcastle and Gateshead. The plan will set out a vision and objectives for the future, enable development, and protect environmental and historical assets.

Key points from the update included:

• The new local plan will be prepared under the new plan-making legislation set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
• Initial consultation with residents, businesses, and stakeholders was conducted in early 2024.
• A targeted event with the development industry was held in February 2025.
• An Employment Land Review has been prepared to assess the quantity, quality, and viability of employment land in Gateshead and Newcastle.
• The next steps include developing a vision for the local plan and continuing to work with key infrastructure providers.

The Employment Land Review will inform the preparation of the new local plan policies and identify locations to support employment needs. Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) were appointed to undertake the review for Newcastle, and the scope was extended to include Gateshead. The key outputs of the Employment Land Review will be presented in a slide deck.

Committee Work Programme

The committee noted the planned Committee Work Programme, as detailed in the Combined Scrutiny Work Programme 2025-26.