Issue - meetings

(Community & Partnership Services) To consider the attached report (C-037-2019-20).

(1)        That the results of the consultation on the Council’s Economic Development Strategy ‘Nurturing Growth’ be noted and the revised Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be adopted;

(2)        That the development of a delivery plan for Nurturing Growth be agreed, setting out a phased implementation programme that would be monitored as part of the revised Corporate Strategy;

(3)        That the prioritisation of the following four key actions over the course of the delivery plan be agreed:

            (i)         Local High Streets;

            (ii)        Rural Strategy;

            (iii)       North Weald Airfield as a location of economic growth; and

            (iv)       Infrastructure;

(4)        That the allocation of District Development Funding in the sum of £35,000 in 2020/21 and £50,000 in 2021/22 be agreed, as already earmarked, for the appointment of a member of staff on a fixed term basis to deliver actions identified in the Strategy, including work to support the sustainability of local high streets.

The Portfolio Holder for Community & Partnerships, Cllr N Bedford, introduced a report on the development of an Economic Strategy for the District.

Cllr Bedford reminded the Cabinet that it had been previously agreed the Council would produce an economic strategy following the adoption of the District’s Local Plan. A strategy consultation document ‘Nurturing Growth’ was produced, which outlined a clear and long-term direction for economic growth across the Epping Forest District and identified key priorities and actions that could be adopted by stakeholders across the District to achieve this. The consultation document was released in draft, for consultation to a wide range of stakeholders in April 2019 and again in September 2019. The responses from the consultation periods had informed the development of the Economic Strategy.

The Cabinet was requested to approve the development and delivery of a five -year Economic Development Action Plan to enable the aspirations of Nurturing Growth to be realised and associated resourcing to enable this work to be undertaken. The Cabinet was also requested to agree the four priorities within the Action Plan, namely:

(i)         Local High Streets (recommendations from the Task & Finish Review);

(ii)        Rural Strategy;

(iii)       North Weald Airfield (Economic Growth); and

(iv)       Infrastructure.

Cllr Bedford explained that the Strategy had been drafted in advance of both the current Coronavirus pandemic and the significant package of measures announced by the Chancellor in the budget to support the economy. Officers would be ensuring that the prioritization of the Delivery Plan actions aligned with central government guidance and the needs of the local economy. The Cabinet noted the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the Strategy and the need for short-term delivery plans to support local businesses.

Decision:

(1)        That the results of the consultation on the Council’s Economic Development Strategy ‘Nurturing Growth’ be noted and the revised Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be adopted;

(2)        That the development of a delivery plan for Nurturing Growth be agreed, setting out a phased implementation programme that would be monitored as part of the revised Corporate Strategy;

(3)        That the prioritisation of the following four key actions over the course of the delivery plan be agreed:

(i)         Local High Streets;

(ii)        Rural Strategy;

(iii)       North Weald Airfield as a location of economic growth; and

(iv)       Infrastructure;

(4)        That the allocation of District Development Funding in the sum of £35,000 in 2020/21 and £50,000 in 2021/22 be agreed, as already earmarked, for the appointment of a member of staff on a fixed term basis to deliver actions identified in the Strategy, including work to support the sustainability of local high streets.

Reasons for Decision:

The Nurturing Growth Strategy had been developed to provide a clear statement on the priorities and ambition of the District in terms of economic growth, at a time when the local economy faced sustained and dynamic change. A clear statement on the priorities and support for local economic growth would influence the policy and investment of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107