Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 10 September 2015 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director was submitted providing Members with an overview of initial plans and direction of travel for Exeter City Futures. This was an ambitious, long-term vision of how to transform Exeter into a sustainable city of the future through the use of pioneering technology and data analytics. The Scrutiny Committee – Economy had received a presentation by Andromeda Capital and supported the project.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture commented that this programme would contribute to the broad-based Innovation Exeter economic development programme promoting business growth and increased investment. The project was a joint endeavour by Andromeda Capital, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.

Members welcomed the way forward and supported the programme.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 10 September 2015 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED to endorse:- 

(1)          Exeter City Futures as a vehicle for better understanding and addressing the transportation, energy and health challenges and opportunities facing the city; 

(2)          the Exeter bid for the ‘Internet of Things’ demonstrator city competition; and

(3)          the communications framework outlined in the report to begin engagement with the Exeter population about the overarching ambition of Exeter City Futures. This framework includes an initial public engagement programme.

To receive a presentation from Andromeda Capital and to consider the report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director. 

The Chief Executive & Growth Director introduced a report which provided an overview of initial plans and direction of travel, as part of a joint endeavour with Andromeda Capital and Devon County Council, entitled ‘Exeter City Futures’, which will use pioneering technology to solve many of the issues facing the city. The report also outlined details of the Exeter bid for the Innovate UK ‘Internet of Things’ demonstrator city competition with details how this would link with the overall Exeter City Futures vision.

Glen Woodcock and Laurence Oakes-Ash from Andromeda Capital were welcomed to the meeting and referred to the use of pioneering technology and data analytics to address transportation, energy and health related challenges facing the city, which would also ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of Exeter. The presentation also considered the opportunity for Exeter to become recognised as a model for others and enhance its reputation as a leader in this field. The programme should contribute to the broad-based Innovation Exeter economic development programme promoting business growth, increased investment and creating higher paid employment.

A Member welcomed the opportunity that the initiative would bring to address transport issues in and around the city, and hoped that better integration of the public transport system would include innovations such as smart ticketing and real time bus and train timetables being developed.  Glen Woodcock explained that a public consultation exercise and the inclusion of specialist agencies would help to frame the overall project. Andromeda had been talking to a range of companies and representatives, as part of the ‘Internet of Things’ bid, which includes both public and private sector. They hoped that a key measurable benefit would be to solve real problems more efficiently and cheaply.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the report and requested that Executive endorse:-

(1) Exeter City Futures as the vehicle for better understanding and addressing the transportation, energy and health challenges and opportunities facing the city;

(2)  Exeter’s bid for the ‘Internet of Things’ demonstrator city competition; and

(3)  the communications framework outlined in the circulated report to begin engagement with the Exeter population about the overarching ambition of Exeter City Futures. This framework would also include an initial public engagementprogramme.