Issue - meetings

To consider the report of Economy and Enterprise Manager.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 12 January 2017 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Economy and Enterprise Manager was submitted informing Members of the new shared Growth & Productivity Strategy, covering Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge.

The Economy and Enterprise Manager advised that the ‘travel to work’ area for Exeter had expanded significantly over the past ten years, and covered much of Exeter’s neighbouring local authorities. The Strategy would ensure work being undertaken by the emerging Greater Exeter Growth & Development Board and the Economic Development teams for each local authority were able to work in parallel and to a common shared vision and goal. The Council had been working with the four councils for the past two years and a wide ranging consultation exercise across all four areas had been undertaken during the spring and summer 2016 to inform this strategy.

Each local authority had an area of expertise to help delivery the strategy and its objectives:-

·         Exeter City Council – Inward Investment

·         Mid Devon District Council – Business Transformation

·         Teignbridge District Council – Employment and Skills

·         East Devon District Council – Strategic Planning and Infrastructure.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy welcomed this joint working which strengthens the relationship with neighbouring local authorities.

In response to a Member’s question, the Economy and Enterprise Manager advised that work was being undertaken in conjunction with local organisations such as Education Business Partnership to go into schools to inform young people, their parents and teachers of the job opportunities and options available to them.

The Leader welcomed this partnership working.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 12 January 2017 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the Exeter and the Heart of Devon, a Shared Economic Strategy -  A Collaborative Approach to Growth & Productivity 2017 – 2020, be approved;

(2)        partnership working with East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge Local Authorities continue on common economic development objectives; and

(3)        partnership work be undertaken with the proposed Greater Exeter Growth & Development Board to ensure consistency with vision, objectives and individual projects and initiatives.

To consider the report of the Economy and Enterprise Manager.

The Economy and Enterprise Manager presented the report which informed Members of the new shared Growth & Productivity Strategy, covering Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge.  This work would strengthen the relationship with neighbouring local authorities for the benefit of the Exeter economy, its residents, businesses and student population, and improve local outcomes by delivering specific joint projects across a recognised functional economic market area. It was noted that the ‘travel to work’ area for Exeter had expanded significantly over the past ten years, and covered much of Exeter’s neighbouring local authorities. The Strategy would ensure work being undertaken by the emerging Greater Exeter Growth & Development Board and the Economic Development teams for each local authority were able to work in parallel and to a common shared vision and goal.   

A Member enquired why the comparator years of 2001 and 2011 to explain the changes in the Exeter travel to work area were used, and also recalled another survey conducted in 2007 which had provided a profile of use for some of the city’s car parks. The Economy and Enterprise Manager stated that the 2001 and 2011 period mirrored the most recent Census data, and showed where people lived and worked. She thanked the Member and would speak with colleagues to obtain a copy of the 2007 survey.   

Place Scrutiny Committee supported the report and recommended approval by Executive of the following:-

(1)     Exeter & the Heart of Devon, Shared Economic Strategy - A Collaborative Approach to Growth & Productivity 2017 – 2020;

(2)     to continue working in partnership with East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge Local Authorities on common economic development objectives; and

(3)     to work in partnership with the proposed Greater Exeter Growth & Development Board to ensure consistency with vision, objectives and individual projects and initiatives.