Agenda item

To consider the attached report (AMED-008- 2014/15).

The Economic Development Officer (EDO) advised the Cabinet Committee on the current levels of staffing in the Economic Development Team. She stated that the position for a new Economic Development Officer had been agreed and would be advertised within the next few weeks and the position for an Economic Development Assistant would be going to the Job Evaluation Panel for agreement next week.

The EDO presented a report to the Cabinet Committee and updated them on a number of projects, themes and issues being explored by the Economic Development Team.

(1)        Waltham Abbey Town Centre – Various studies were being carried out looking broadly across the spectrum at transport connections, tourism development, commercial development and town centres. The key would be bringing these pieces of work together and once received we would report the findings and hold discussions with members and other partners early next year.

(2)        Economic Development Priorities and Plans – An economic development strategy framework document was issued, subsequent to the report, which was a work in progress. Questions were asked at the last meeting and the framework showed how the town centres would work and how they would feed into the broader economic development strategy.

(3)        Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – In 2011/12 an unsuccessful bid was made on behalf of Waltham Abbey for Heritage Lottery Funding. The Economic Development Team (EDT) were now revisiting that bid and looking to submit a new application to the HLF to undertake a heritage based development project in the Market Square area of Waltham Abbey. This was at an early stage and the EDT would be taking advice from the HLF in identifying the weaknesses in the last application.

At a meeting with the HLF they positively encouraged the Council to submit a project enquiry form. The Economic Development team are following up on that and have a meeting next week to discuss the next steps.

(4)        Tourism – The post of Tourism Development Manager had now been filled by Quentin Buller and he would be working on various projects one of which was a Tourism Summit planned for March 2015, the details will be published early next year.

One of the key roles of the Tourism Development Manager would be to support the work of Visit Epping Forest which is a forum that brings together key individuals from a number of the main tourist destinations such as the Gunpowder Mills, Ongar Railway and the Lea Valley White Water Centre to name a few.

(5)        Access to Funding Roadshow – The Access to Funding Roadshow was held on 17 November 2014 at the Civic Offices, in partnership with Essex County Council’s Essex Innovation Programme. This brought a number of funding business support providers which met and gave advice to local business.

(6)        Start-Up Loans – The Economic Development Team had been trying to promote the Start-Up Loans scheme which was a Government backed agency that offered loans to businesses that were pre-trading or within their first 12 months of trading. It was hoped that this would be promoted through the Council’s website and the Start-up Loans website but the Economic Development Team have reached barriers in contacting Start-Up Loans. The EDT were looking at other ways to take this forward and were in contact with the Start-Up Loans delivery partners.

(7)        Business Support – A new edition of the Business Briefing had been published and we were in the process of sending this out to businesses. The Economic Development Team were working with Essex County Council on a business needs survey for the County which was being funded by SELEP. The results of the survey are expected to be published this month and will then be reported to the Committee for discussion.

(8)        Working with Essex County Council – It had been agreed to establish quarterly meetings with key members and officers at Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) and Essex County Council (ECC) who are involved with economic developments. ECC have briefed EFDC on its Economic Growth Fund for 2015/16 and the Economic Development Team were arranging to meet with EFDC officers to discuss what sort of projects EFDC could get involved with.

(9)        Partner Liaison – Work is ongoing with our Partner Organisations and there is nothing further to report.

Resolved:

(1)        That the progress and work programme of the Council’s Economic Development Section be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To update the Cabinet Committee on the progress made with regard to Economic Development issues.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

None, as this monitoring report is for information not action.