Issue - meetings

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

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 9 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director was submitted requesting Members’ support a revised Exeter Science Park Strategic Business Plan 2016/17. The revision was as a result of recent funding and business opportunities made available to the Exeter Science Park.

The Economy and Tourism Manager advised that the three main reasons for the revised Strategy were:-

·         the fall in land values accompanying the recession;

·         Phase 2 developments being brought forward, when the Met Office announced its intention to site its high performance computer on the Science Park; and

·         development of a plan for a Global Environmental Futures Campus on the Science Park.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 9 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the proposed change set out in Strategic Plan for Exeter Science Park for the period 2016/17, be supported.   

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

The Economy and Tourism Manager presented the report which requested Members’ consideration of the adoption of a revised Strategic Plan 2016/17 in the light of recent funding and business opportunities made available to Exeter Science Park.  This would help to ensure the ongoing development of the vision for the Exeter Science Park, to be the destination of choice of knowledge-based business in South West England as well as a key driver for economic growth. The revised Plan was approved by the Science Park’s shareholders at their Board Meeting in March 2016.  A copy of the revised Strategic Plan was also circulated with the report.

As Exeter City Council continued to hold a seat on the Board of the Exeter Science Park, Members were advised of the following changes in external factors which had necessitated the changes to the Strategy, which would ensure the ongoing development of the Exeter Science Park:-

·         the falling land values accompanying the recession;

·         the opportunity to bring forward Phase 2 developments following the decision of the Met Office to site its high performance computer on the Science Park; and

·         the construction of the High Performance Computer which would provide an opportunity to develop a collective Global Environment Futures Campus and could attract a significant number of businesses working within the weather and climate change data field.

Members welcomed the ongoing success of the Exeter Science Park which was helping to contribute to the city’s continuing growth.

Place Scrutiny Committee noted the report and recommended Executive support the proposed change in strategy set out in the Strategic Plan for Exeter Science Park for the period 2016/17.