Issue - meetings

By way of a report by the Head of Policy to consider a request for the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan.

Approved for publication the Creative Enterprise Strategy for Huntingdonshire as a supplement to the Local Economy Strategy; agreed to release the relevant funding from the Medium Term Plan (scheme ref 657) for the development of a Creative Industries Enterprise Centre at Longsands College, St Neots; and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, to enter into a lease for land for the Enterprise Centre and a funding agreement with the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft Creative Enterprise Strategy for Huntingdonshire aimed at increasing the sustainability, growth and productivity of creative industries in the District and maximising their potential to contribute towards broader social, economic and cultural regeneration.

In so doing, attention was drawn to proposals to develop a Creative Enterprise Centre on the campus of Longsands College in St Neots, in conjunction with the Department of Communities and Local Government and Longsands College, which would link opportunities for job and business creation and economic regeneration through the Cambridge sub region with the economic benefits from other regional centres. Having also considered a request for the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan for this development, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Creative Enterprise Strategy for Huntingdonshire be approved for publication as a supplement to the Local Economy Strategy;

(b)  that the relevant funding as outlined in Appendix B be released from the Medium Term Plan (scheme ref 657) in respect of the development of a Creative Industries Enterprise Centre at Longsands College, St Neots; and

(c)  that the Director of Central Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, to enter into a lease of land for the Enterprise Centre at Longsands College and a funding agreement with the Department for Communities and Local Government.