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Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee

2 July 2019

 

Economic Development Redrafted Motion

 

Final Decision-Maker

Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee

Lead Head of Service

William Cornall, Director of Regeneration and Place

Lead Officer and Report Author

John Foster, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Mike Nash, Democratic Services Officer

Classification

Public

Wards affected

All

 

Executive Summary

 

This report follows the resolution of the ERL Committee on 4 June 2019 to redraft the Economic Development motion prior to agreement.  It proposes a new form of wording (paragraph 2.4), which if agreed, will be considered during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

Purpose of Report

 

Decision

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1.   That the redrafted Economic Development motion be agreed for consideration during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee

2 July 2019



Report title here

 

1.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

We do not expect the recommendations will by themselves materially affect achievement of corporate priorities.  However, they will support the Council’s overall achievement of its aims as set out in section 3.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Cross Cutting Objectives

The report recommendation supports the cross cutting objectives of “Heritage is Respected” and “Deprivation and Social Mobility is Improved” by recognising the need for the review of the Economic Development Strategy to consider these issues.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Risk Management

Already covered in the risk section of the report.

 

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Financial

The proposals set out in the recommendation are all within already approved budgetary headings and so need no new funding for implementation.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Staffing

We will deliver the recommendations with our current staffing.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Legal

The Council’s powers as set out in the Localism Act 2011.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Privacy and Data Protection

Accepting the recommendations will increase the volume of data held by the Council. We will hold that data in line with our retention schedules.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Equalities

The recommendations do not propose a change in service therefore will not require an equalities impact assessment.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

 

Public Health

 

 

We recognise that the recommendations will not negatively impact on population health or that of individuals.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Crime and Disorder

No impact.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Procurement

On accepting the recommendations, the Council will then follow commission consultants to produce an Economic Development Strategy following extensive consultation with stakeholders.  We will complete those exercises in line with financial procedure rules.

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

 

2.      INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

2.1        At the meeting of Council on 27 February 2019, the motion regarding Economic Development (Appendix 1) was referred to the Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee. 

 

2.2        As a result of the Committee Structure Review, undertaken by the Democracy Committee in the 2018/19 municipal year, the responsibility for Economic Development was assigned to the Economic Regeneration and Leisure (ERL) Committee.  Therefore, on 27 March 2019, the P&R Committee referred the motion to the ERL Committee for consideration (Appendix 1).

 

2.3        At the ERL Committee on 4 June 2019, the following was unanimously resolved:

 

“That Members of the Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee submit comments to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee, ahead of the motion being redrafted and agreed for consideration during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.”

 

2.4        The motion has subsequently been redrafted.  The motion now reads:

 

This Committee notes the considerable progress made in economic development over the last 5 years including:

 

·         Maidstone East

·         The Business Terrace

·         Kent Medical Campus Innovation Centre

·         Public Realm improvements

·         Investment in infrastructure e.g. Bridge Gyratory, Cycle Path etc.

 

In the review of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy, planned for later this year, the Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee resolves to ensure that, through encouraging and enabling direct investment, the positive role that the following can offer in supporting the local economy is recognised:

 

·         Place making initiatives such as improvements to parks and open spaces, arts and cultural developments and public realm.

·         The visitor and leisure economy, events and festivals.

·         Protecting well located and attractive employment space and bringing forward new employment space.

·         Encouraging businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, waste and energy consumption

 

 

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

 

3.1     The Committee could choose to do nothing.  This is not recommended as it means that the topics identified in the redrafted motion may not be given sufficient weight during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

3.2     The Committee could choose to agree the motion for consideration during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

3.3     The Committee could choose to amend the redrafted motion prior to agreeing it for consideration during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

 

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

4.1     Option 3.2 or 3.3 are the preferred option as this will ensure that Officers are given clear direction regarding topics to consider as part of the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

 

5.       RISK

5.1     The risks associated with this proposal, including the risks if the Council does not act as recommended, have been considered in line with the Council’s Risk Management Framework.  We are satisfied that the risks associated are within the Council’s risk appetite and will be managed as per the Policy.

 

6.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

 

6.1     The ERL Committee considered the motion at its meeting on 4 June 2019.  Following the resolution of the ERL Committee, all ERL Members were given the opportunity to contribute to the redrafting of the motion.

 

6.2     The motion has been subsequently redrafted by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the ERL Committee.

 

 

7.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

 

7.1     Should the Committee agree the motion, this will be considered during the review of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

 

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

 

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix 1: Reference from Policy and Resources Committee

 

 

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

None.