Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Director of Economy and Development and Head of Economy and Tourism - report circulated

Councillor Payne declared a personal interest as an employee of Exeter College.

The Head of Economy and Tourism provided an overview of the Economic Development Service’s activities during 2010/11, which had contributed to the implementation of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Economic Development Strategy.  The priorities of the Strategy continued to focus on promoting and securing the growth of businesses, a better-trained workforce, helping people into work, bringing forward the availability of employment land and lobbying for investment in transportation and the communications infrastructure.  The Service’s key priorities for supporting growth and recovery together with the key actions planned in 2011/2012 were also set out in the report.

The Head of Economy and Tourism responded to comments on the service’s key priorities. He addressed a Member’s concern about the Science Park’s future development, stating that the formal planning regime and the Gateway Policy would ensure compliance with the preferred types of businesses to be located on the park. A Member welcomed the business support delivery model, but enquired how various projects would be protected in the light of reductions in public sector spending. He was advised that, whilst there was the current City Council funded business advice in collaboration with the Innovation Centre, there was also the Government policy to establish a network of over 40,000 business mentors offering practical advice on a voluntary basis.  It was unclear at the moment how the latter would be delivered.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report and supported the economic development priorities and activities for 2011/ 2012.

(Report circulated)