To consider the report of the Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Group and make recommendations to the Portfolio Holder for Business Growth ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) as appropriate.

Report is attached marked 6

The Economic Growth Redesign Manager introduced the Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Group Report and together with Councillor Dean Carroll, who was the Chair of the Group, outlined the format and contents of the report. 

Councillor Carroll explained that it had been intended to complete the work of the Task and Finish Group by the end of January but the Group had felt that this timescale should be extended so as not to compromise the quality of the work being produced.  He continued that the Group had identified further work to be done which was detailed at the end of the report, but this had been outside the scope and timescale of his Task and Finish Group.

A Member commented that the redesign work was on-going and asked if the Scrutiny Committee would continue to receive updates.  The Economic Growth Redesign Manager confirmed that they would.  

Referring to recommendation 6.2, a Member asked whether acknowledging that Shropshire Council had responsibility for promoting the County as a business location would impact on the planning process. The Economic Growth Redesign Manager explained that the planning process was a statutory one and operated within defined procedures which included public consultation about the nature of development and this could not be overridden. She continued that the Redesign work had identified the need to simplify the process for businesses through the establishment of relationship managers who would act as a single point of contact to guide businesses through the different processes involved in relocation or development.  She continued that improved relationships with businesses and encouraging them to become involved in local place shaping work would lead to improved intelligence about future investments or withdrawals and better inform the planning process.

With reference to recommendation 6.3, the Economic Growth Redesign Manager confirmed that this referred to all parties with an interest in promoting economic growth in the county, such as land agents. 

Councillor Carroll recommended that Members view the Invest in Suffolk Website referred to in Recommendation 6.4 that had been recognised as an excellent investment website.  He continued that the Invest in Shropshire website should be of an equivalent commercial standard to sell the strengths of the County and promote investment.

The Economic Growth Redesign Manager explained that the final three recommendations in the report were interlinked and were about the property assets under the control of the Local Authority and how these should be managed to attain their maximum potential and promote the aims of the Council.  She confirmed that an asset review would be undertaken as part of the process.  Member discussed the importance of having a clear strategy for asset management and the role of the Council. It was recognised that there was still substantial further work to be undertaken on these issues.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Growth, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning [North] thanked the Task and Finish Group Members for the report they had produced and the quality of the work that had been undertaken.  In response to a Member’s question he explained that that many of the recommendations that had come from the redesign work were in the process of being implemented and there would be further implementation within the next six weeks.

The Portfolio Holder continued that the Marches LEP intended to establish business hubs in Shrewsbury, Telford and Hereford to act as a self-service point for businesses in the Marches, providing information on available support and grants. 

RESOLVED:

That the Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Report be accepted and formally presented to the Portfolio Holder for consideration.