Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism - report circulated

The Head of Economy and Tourism presented a report and provided Members with an overview of the Economic Development Service activities during 2008/09.  He included the action taken since September 2008, following Executive’s endorsement of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Economic Development Strategy for the period 2008 – 2013.  A set of statistics profiling the Exeter economy was also attached as an appendix to the report.

A broad overview on the strategic focus of the long term strategy was outlined, together with the key areas of business support, partnership activity, and the new opportunities and potential growth that lie in the east of the city.

The following responses were given to Members:-

• The latest school leavers faced even more of a challenge to find suitable employment and this was likely to have an effect on the city’s unemployment figures. There had already been a significant rise in the level of applications to local further education establishments.

• School attainment in the five city high schools has shown a marked improvement and the results were a credit to the hard work and dedication of all those involved. It was important to see the statistics in a wider context.  Every effort would be made to ensure the latest available attainment figures were made available.

• The Strategy sets out the intention to promote attainment particularly in the growth areas of science and engineering.  This included working up a number of initiatives with specialists and professionals from industry and education in the local community.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report and agreed that the longer term objectives and more immediate actions being undertaken be reviewed with an update on the economic position to be provided at the next Scrutiny Committee

(Report circulated)