Agenda item

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK ECONOMIC STRATEGY

Meeting of Cabinet, Tuesday, 17th October, 2017 5.30 pm (Item CAB74)

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy be endorsed.

Reason for Decision

The Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy reflects several Borough Council corporate priorities, as stated in the Corporate Business Plan 2015/16-2019/20:

Priority 2: Drive local economic and housing growth

We will support new and existing businesses to help them thrive

We will meet our housing growth targets

Priority 4: Celebrate our local heritage and culture

We will support the improvement of our built heritage, drawing in third-party funding wherever possible

We will support leisure and tourism within the Borough

Minutes:

The Leader presented a report which explained that the new Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy was the New Anglia LEP’s economic blueprint that would guide its work and investment up to 2036.

The strategy committed local authorities and other partners to working together to pool resources and coordinate activity in some key areas such as inward investment, skills, place marketing and infrastructure investment. This stronger collaboration and joint effort was vital if the LEP area was to punch above its weight and get the investment needed to ensure its economic competitiveness in an increasingly global and competitive world.

The new strategy summarised the economic evidence. It set clear, challenging but achievable ambitions that described the place that the LEP area aspired to be. It then set out the actions proposed to deliver future success by five themes. It was focused on place, setting out where growth was most expected to happen in the years ahead. It also had clear economic indicators and targets, which would be used to measure success.

This was a strategy for all Norfolk and Suffolk. As such many organisations will be involved in delivering different elements. Clear action and investment plans will be developed over the autumn on major priorities such as Transport and Skills.

The strategy identified King’s Lynn as a priority place with clear ambitions and plans to deliver economic growth.

The strategy also identified the A47 and A10 as priority places, emphasising their importance to delivering economic growth along those corridors.

It was recommended that Cabinet endorse the strategy and work with the LEP and the public and private sector partners on developing the action and investment plans necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this new economy strategy.

In discussing the report, it was noted that the strategy incorporated the importance of the visitor economy and culture which was important to the area. The importance to the whole LEP area of the A10 and the Ely North Junction work was also included in the document. It was agreed that information on the considerable benefits to the area of the Ely North Junction works be provided for Members. The Chief Executive confirmed that the Secretary of State had been extremely positive about the scheme at a recent meeting.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Pope asked about the current situation with staffing for the Tourism work in the authority following the departure of the Tourism Manager. It was explained that a review of the service were being carried out to look at its future operation.