Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Economic Development Manager.

Approved the contents of the Huntingdonshire Economic Growth Plan 2013-2023 subject to the inclusion of minor amendments.

(Councillor T V Rogers (Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) was in attendance and spoke on this Item.)

By way of a report by the Economic Development Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the background to the production of the Huntingdonshire Economic Growth Plan 2013 to 2023. The report had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In considering the contents of the report, Executive Councillors stressed the importance of the Economic Growth Plan for the District and the Council.  Members discussed the extent of the area covered by the Plan and concern was raised over the lack of reference to rural areas.  In response to which, the Cabinet were advised that the Plan was based upon the current assets within Huntingdonshire with the Alconbury Enterprise Zone being an important factor.  It was reported that the successful development of key strategic sites would result in increased economic activity throughout the district.

Executive Councillors concurred with the Overview and Scrutiny Panel that the Plan’s vision should be amended to refer to Huntingdonshire becoming one of the best places in England to live, work and invest and that the document would benefit from a more dynamic tone throughout.  Having also supported the Panel’s view that a more explicit explanation be provided for the “trickle down” effect, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that, subject to the inclusion of amendments to reflect the text of the preamble hereto, the contents of the Huntingdonshire Economic Growth Plan 2013-2023 be approved.

To consider a report by the Economic Development Manager.

(Councillor T D Sanderson, Executive Councillor for Strategic Development and Legal, was in attendance for this item).

With the assistance of a report by the Economic Development Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Panel considered the contents of the draft Huntingdonshire Economic Growth Plan 2013 to 2023. The Plan set out a vision for Huntingdonshire and aimed to deliver economic growth by focusing on achieving a set of key ambitions called the ‘2023 Objectives’.

Members were reminded that an economic assessment had been undertaken in 2012 to provide an evidence base for the Economic Growth Plan and the new Local Plan. This was the first time that a shared evidence base had been used to prepare these documents and Members were reminded that a presentation on the outcome of the assessment had been given to their November 2012 meeting. Members’ attention was then drawn to the eight action priorities which had emerged from the economic assessment, which had subsequently formed the basis of the Growth Plan. A number of challenges had also been identified through the assessment process. These were outlined in Section 2.1 of the report and included a reduction in the proportion of the people who are of working age and the polarisation of the business base in Huntingdonshire.

Members were advised that the Economic Growth Plan contained three main themes: People, Place and Business. Their attention was drawn to a number of the key actions to demonstrate the variety of ways in which work was undertaken to deliver economic growth within the District.  These included a District-wide approach to careers advice and apprenticeships and the delivery of strategic development and housing. Following the approval of the Economic Growth Plan, an action plan would be prepared through which the aims identified within the Plan would be delivered.

In considering the contents of the report, Members recognised the importance of the Economic Growth Plan for the District and for the Council and commended the work which had been undertaken to prepare it. The view was expressed that the Council should make adequate resources available to ensure the actions associated with it were delivered.

In response to Members’ concerns that the Plan appeared to contain few references to rural areas, the Panel was reminded that it was based upon the current assets within Huntingdonshire and that the Enterprise Zone was the best opportunity the District had to raise its profile at a national level. It was explained that the successful development of key strategic sites should produce a ‘trickle down’ effect from economic activity centres to rural areas. Members were of the opinion that a more explicit explanation of this effect should be provided. With regard to specific comments relating to the Industrial Estate in Warboys and the plans for its extension, it was agreed that this should be taken up by the local Member with Planning Officers.

The Panel was of the opinion that the Growth Vision should be more ambitious. Members recommended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19