Issue - meetings

To receive a report presenting the refreshed Economic Growth Strategy (EGS).

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford.

The Cabinet endorsed the refreshed Economic Growth Strategy, enabling the Economic Development Team and partners to deliver its objectives over the next 2–5 years.

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel is invited to comment on officer recommendations contained within the attached Cabinet report.

Executive Councillor: Sam Wakeford

By means of a report by the Economic Development Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), The Economic Growth Strategy Report was presented to the Panel.

Councillor Gardener expressed his appreciation for the report and asked for clarification pertaining to page 54, noting the year read 2014 instead of 2024. The Council were asked how they are going to help the businesses in the district that struggle to hire additional staff due to the increase in National Insurance and Business rates as the report did not include this information. The Panel heard that this was a draft document and still had edits, ensuring errors will be corrected. They were advised this document is laying out the strategy of the Economic Growth Plan and not everything the team are currently working on. They cannot work by individual cost line and are focusing on ensuring Huntingdonshire is an attractive option to work and live in.

Councillor Pickering questioned whether the Council should be promoting areas within the district, rather than referencing Huntingdonshire itself due to the Local Government Reorganisation. He suggested maybe the Council should be looking towards their new identity rather than the existing one which isn’t well known to people. The Panel heard that this strategy is designed for the present and that whilst there will be a restructure, the Huntingdonshire area will still exist. The strategy is designed to be entirely compatible and can work in a localised manner. It was reiterated to the Panel that the website for this will go live in July and the idea is to be the leading force in promoting the area and to be the example other Councils follow.

Councillor Martin expressed his disagreement with Councillor Pickering’s point in relation to Huntingdonshire not having a known identity. He drew on the history of the district and advised the Council should be proud of this. He commended the team in their work on the strategy and encouraged the Panel to recognise this. He requested clarification on the use of Huntingdonshire economy being adaptable as he was unsure he agreed with this. The Panel heard that Huntingdonshire has a variety of key sectors, referencing advanced manufacturing, life science and the defence sector. The term adaptable was used as the Council are trying to be adaptable in supporting the right sectors that the data says they should be focusing on. The Economic Development team remain flexible in their dealings with the local businesses for their needs in that moment in time. The Panel were reminded that Huntingdonshire’s work force is not made up of a single business, it spans across different sectors as shown in page 6 of the report. Councillor Martin was appreciative of the confirmation and agreed with the use of adaptability.

Councillor Catmur referenced the Key Risks and that KPI’s will be monitored closely, asking for confirmation of what they are and if these are the ones that should be closely monitored. The Panel heard that examples of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8