Meeting documents

Following the presentation, members were invited to consider the proposed Economic Development strategy for Chiltern and South Bucks Councils 2017 -2026 and to note the initial action plan.

It was noted that at its meeting on 7^th February Cabinet had resolved that the strategy be adopted, subject to no changes being suggested during consultation with the Chiltern Services Overview Committee and South Bucks Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet meeting.

Members were advised that due to links with the emerging Local Plan, the Strategy was also referred to the Joint Planning Policy Member Reference Group which considered the strategy at its meeting on 8th March.  The Committee were advised that the Planning Policy Member Reference Group welcomed the strategy, there was general support and agreement with the findings, which would be used to inform the draft local plan, in addition they made the following comments:

 

a)         The Joint Planning Policy Member Reference Group welcomes and supports the Economic Development Strategy as part of the evidence base for the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan and that the Strategy objectives where relevant align with evidence base findings so far for the Local Plan.  As such the Economic Development Strategy would inform the draft Local Plan in due course.

b)         The Economic Development Strategy’s consideration of tourism in the Districts was particularly welcomed and Cabinets were encouraged to seek to develop this part of the Economic Development Strategy through any further reviews and engagement with local businesses and organisations where relevant.

c)         The Economic Development Strategy was supported as part of potential evidence for delivery of the Local Plan proposals and policies, themselves informed by the Economic Development Strategy.  For example helping to enable an Innovation Centre or the provision of incubation or business units.  The Joint Planning Policy Member Reference Group requested that when and if cabinets consider council scope for involvement in Bucks Advantage or other types of delivery vehicles that the potential for furthering Economic Development Strategy objectives and delivery of related parts of the Local Plan be taken into account.

d)         Future monitoring and updates of the Economic Development Strategy to be supported as the document needs to be kept up to date and justified if it is to continue to have weight in the consideration of planning decisions.

Members were informed that as a joint strategy, following consideration by its Cabinet, South Bucks Overview & Scrutiny Committee had received a presentation, and considered the strategy and action plan at its meeting the evening before, feedback was presented to the meeting, It was noted that the South Bucks committee welcomed the strategy and supported the views of the Joint Planning Policy Reference Group, in addition the Committee highlighted the following actions:

·         Encouragement of the most appropriate take up of telecoms, broadband and mobile connectivity by home based businesses

·         The need for better data infrastructure

·         The need to ensure that investment takes place in communications infrastructure of all kinds, (not just broadband)

·         The need for local employment and affordable housing so that residents could live and work in the districts sustainably,

·         Promotion of tourism

• The Committee stressed the importance of ensuring the on-going measurement of the economy’s performance against the strategic objectives.

In addition, the Committee felt that the following information should, where possible/available, be used to help inform the Strategy:

•    With regards to the data on sufficiency of broadband speed, a request was made that this information be broken down to separate out home based businesses.

•    Number of residents who work and live in the District once homeworkers have been excluded.

 

Members noted that an action plan had been developed that would be used to deliver the economic strategy.  There was no specific resource to do this but it would be included in service plans across the Council.  The actions would be progressed and monitored within service areas as part of the annual review process. It was envisaged that the actions would evolve over time in line with the broad direction of the strategy, informed by further reviews and engagement with local businesses and organisations. It was noted that the Leader of each Cabinet is responsible for this area although economic development was delegated to the Customer Services portfolio holder at Chiltern.

RESOLVED

To note the proposed Economic Development Strategy for Chiltern and South Bucks councils 2017-2026 and the initial action plans.