Agenda item

This report outlines the ways in which the smart growth agenda will strengthen the local economy, promote high value employment and encourage investment. The Regeneration Delivery Plans respond to the particular characteristics of the sub-economies, and outline actions to deliver commercial premises and achieve sustainable growth.

Councillor Paul Crossley made an ad hoc statement in which he expressed his appreciation and respect for the work of the Economic Development Council.  He asked when a proposed timeline would be made available.  He observed that the report made no mention of the Local Education Partnership, nor the demise of the Regional Development Agency.  There was passing reference to the threats and opportunities resulting from the possible loss of the Ministry of Defence from Bath.  The Bath Western Riverside project and the Norton Radstock Regeneration had only passing mentions.

The Chair invited the Divisional Director (Development & Regeneration) to make a statement.  He apologised to Cabinet that there were a small number of factual errors in appendix 2 of the published papers and said that steps were in hand to ensure that these were corrected.  However, there was no change to the overall sense of direction recommended in the report.

Councillor Terry Gazzard introduced the item by saying that the report described the plans for developing the vision.  It would lead to real action.  Real change was taking place in the economy and it would be necessary to be prepared for the future.  The proposals would build on the economic strengths of the area and would create 8500 to 9000 new jobs by 2026 in high growth areas such as technology.  The proposals were in line with the Council's economic priorities.

Councillor Vic Pritchard referred to paragraph 1.7 of the report, which he felt summed up the proposals and made him pleased to second the proposal.

Councillor Chris Watt fully endorsed Councillor Pritchard's comments and he particularly welcomed the proposals for the Somer valley.  In reference to Councillor Crossley's comments about the Regional Development Agency, he said that the RDA had not delivered any benefits and was therefore irrelevant to the discussion in hand.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney responded to Councillor Crossley's mention of the Local Education Partnership by saying that the Council did have plans to benefit from the LDA and to ensure that it attracted fair funding from government.  He reminded the Cabinet that the proposals regarding the Commercial Estate were not new but had been discussed for a number of years.

On a motion from Councillor Terry Gazzard seconded by Councillor Vic Pritchard it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that the ‘story’ be used as a coherent narrative that records the journey between 2005 and the present and sets aspirations for the future;

(2) To ADOPT the Local Economic Assessment as required by the 2009 Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act.  This will also provide an evidence base for our economic interventions and the emerging Core Strategy.

(3) To ASK the Director of Major Projects in consultation with the Leader of the Council to work with consultants to amend some minor inaccuracies in the report;

(4) To NOTE the growth aspirations to create 8,500 – 9,000 net new jobs as the Cabinet’s Economic Strategy in B&NES to 2026 and the interventions to deliver these, in particular those set out in the Regeneration Delivery Plans and that these be confirmed and completed together with the ‘story’ by the Strategic Director for Development and Major Projects in consultation with Cabinet members following confirmation of the Council’s agreement to this level of growth when it makes its decision on the Core Strategy at Council in December.