To receive apologies for absence and notice of any substitutions

In opening the meeting the Chairman welcomed Gemma Davies, who had recently been appointed as Head of Economic Growth, and Jonny Keely who had replaced Roger Evans as a Liberal Democrat Member on the Committee.

27.1    Apologies for absence had been received from John Hurst-Knight

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

28.1    None were declared.

To consider the minutes of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 31 October 2016

29.1    The Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2016 had been circulated

29.2    RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 31 October 2016, be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation on the new Economic Growth Website.  A link to the website may be found below

http://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/

30.1 Members received a presentation on the Economic Growth website.  They were advised that the website was designed to showcase what the County had to offer and was aimed at businesses looking to relocate to the County; existing businesses within the county looking to expand; and new businesses looking to establish themselves in the County.

30.2  The Chairman reminded Members that the idea for the website had come out of the Working Group looking at Economic Growth Redesign; he commended Officers on the website. 

30.3  In response to a query the Physical Regeneration Manager confirmed that the website was aimed at all sizes of business

30.4  A Member asked whether the performance of the website and of the team responding to enquiries arising from the website would be monitored.  The Physical Regeneration Manager confirmed that performance would be monitored and that the statistics could be brought back to the committee as part of an update report.

30.5  Members congratulated Officers on the website and felt that it would be a useful aid in attracting businesses to Shropshire.

To receive a presentation from Chris Taylor, Broadband Manager

31.1   Members received a presentation from the Broadband Manager (copy attached to the signed minutes) which gave an update on progress with the Shropshire Broadband Project to date and the roll out of the next phase of the project.  He advised Members that Phase 1 of the project should be completed by the end of winter 2016 and Phase 2 by the end of spring 2018.

31.2   Several Members commented that the scheme had been of benefit to their areas and thanks the broadband Manager for his work.

To receive a verbal update from the Physical Regeneration Manager

32.1    The Physical Regeneration Manager advised Members of the following: -

·         The bid for funding for the development of an outline business case for the North West Relief Road in Shrewsbury had been approved.

·         No firm decision had been received on Growth Deal 3.

·         Following a review by the Ministry of Defence the closure of Clive Barracks had been put back to 2022

·         A meeting regarding the future of the Ironbridge Power Station site was due to be held in mid-January.

·         The West Midland Combined Authority Land Commission Report was expected to be published in early January.

·         The Task & Finish Group on how planning could contribute to economic development had met several times and would be finalising its recommendations in the New Year.

32.2    The Chairman thanked the Physical Regeneration Manager for his update.

The next scheduled meeting of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee will be held on 2 February 2017

33.1    Members were reminded that the next scheduled meeting of the Enterprise and Growth Scrutiny Committee would be held on 2 February 2017