Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services on the Huntingdonshire Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Economy Strategy.

(Councillor A Hansard, Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, was in attendance for this Item).

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel were acquainted with the background to the production of the Huntingdonshire Sustainable Community Strategy and the work that had been undertaken to refine the outcomes and objectives contained within the document and to develop delivery plans for each of the strategic themes.

By way of introduction, the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy reported that the Action Plans had yet to be finalised and that comments by Members on them were invited. He also reported that the Strategy had links to regional initiatives. Additionally, the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy informed Members that following their request at a previous meeting to review the Action Plan associated with the Local Economy Strategy for Huntingdonshire, new statutory powers had become available with which to pursue this work and that the Plan would be used to attract funding and to influence regional activities.

The Head of Policy and Strategic Services reported that completed Action Plans would be presented to the Panel in September and that any comments on their content should be submitted before that date. Furthermore, it was reported that the Local Strategic Partnership structure was currently under review and that Members would be informed of the resulting changes at a seminar in July 2008.

With regard to the strategic theme for Growth and Infrastructure and in response to a comment by a Member on the need to improve the provision of school and health facilities, the Panel were advised that it was intended to produce an Investment Strategy for Huntingdonshire, which would be used to address such areas for development. Members noted that the Strategy would be based on evidence and would include likely costs for proposed schemes. Having reviewed the content of the Action Plan for this particular theme, Members commented on the need to include surface drainage water under Item 6 of the Plan. In response to a question by the Chairman, the Panel were advised that communities not experiencing growth would be addressed through parish plans.

In terms of the Action Plan for the Environment strategic theme, the Panel were advised that the Plan was the same as the Council’s Environment Strategy.

In respect of the Children and Young People’s strategic theme, comment was made on the fact that contact with some statutory organisations, such as Connexions, was not compulsory for young people. Following questions, the Panel were advised that the Inclusive, Safe and Cohesive Communities strategic theme included reference to community transport and that the Council had appointed Councillor Hansard as its Champion for Children and Young People. Members were encouraged to note the range of work already undertaken by the Council to incorporate children and young people’s views into its policies and services. Questions were raised regarding the cost of schemes in the Plan. In response, the Head of Policy and Strategic Services reported that, in the short term, funding for certain projects would be available from external sources and through the Council’s Medium Term Plan. In the longer term, consideration would be given to this matter following the adoption of the Strategy.

Further comment was made under the Action Plan for the Inclusive, Safe and Cohesive Communities strategic theme on the need for the provision of advocacy services for migrant workers to be included within the Plan. In response, the Panel were advised of the likely financial implications for the Council. Members were also reminded of a previous ScrutinyPanel recommendation regarding a bid for funding which was being pursued via the Regional College.

The Panel were advised that the Action Plan for the Economic Prosperity strategic theme aimed to add value to a range of work currently undertaken in the District and to promote joint initiatives which would lead to sustainable growth in the local economy. Additionally, the Panel noted that work with partners to deliver sub-regional and regional initiatives would directly relate to the priorities contained in the Local Economy Strategy. Members requested that pump priming for community sites be included in the Plan. They also discussed the agricultural industry in the District. As it represented only a small proportion of economic activity and of employment locally it had not been included as one of the sectors that the Plan intended to promote. It would, however, be promoted through the local procurement network. Members were reminded that there would be a further opportunity to examine the Action Plans at the seminar in July and also that comments could be submitted directly to Officers.