Issue - meetings

The Head of Economic Development updated the group on the Economic Development Strategy. Members were reminded that Cabinet had agreed the strategy in January 2017, which provided five priority areas of inward investment; enterprise; skills and employment; infrastructure; and promoting the District offer.  

The group heard that:

·         An action plan to support the strategy was being developed

·         Alignment with strategic planning policies was ongoing

·         The Microbiz programme of events had been reviewed, and the University of Chichester had been commissioned to take forward an improved offer of a full year of events. This included start-up Saturdays, Business Growth Groups and Networking events. The programme had an urban and rural focus.

·         The LEAP scheme had been very successful, awarding  49 grants

·         The ‘Think Horsham’ website would be updated, and that the Burrows business directory was now online

·         EU funding had been secured for a visitor economy strategy and setting up a visitor economy partnership. Town meetings had already taken place, together with 1:1s with visitor economy businesses. Workshops were planned for 20^th June 2017.

Members’ views included:

·         Ensuring that links would be made between tourism initiatives already underway in the district, such as at Steyning

·         Consideration of Horsham as a ‘wi-fi’ town

·         The strategic importance of car parking in the district

·         A discussion of the economic significance of the proposed business park on the north Horsham development

The Cabinet Member thanked Members for their views.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Local Economy on the Horsham District Economic Development Strategy

            RESOLVED

            That the Horsham District Economic Strategy be approved.

            REASON

            Approval of the Economic Strategy ensures that the priorities and actions are endorsed by the Council as a whole. It will be a visible document that demonstrates to businesses and residents, the commitment to securing economic growth for the District.

The Cabinet Member for Local Economy reported that Local Authorities needed to set out a clear economic vision and strategy for their area which positively and proactively encouraged sustainable economic growth.  Therefore, in December 2015, work had commenced on producing an Economic Strategy for the District.  The proposed new strategy set the key economic priorities for the District and identified the resources needed to deliver economic growth.

The five priority areas for the Economic Strategy were summarised as: inward investment; enterprise; skills and employment; infrastructure; and promoting the District offer.  The key economic challenges facing the District were also summarised. 

The strategy would set the context for the work of the Economic Development Team and would seek to deliver the economic growth the District needed.

The Local Economy Policy Development Advisory Group supported the proposal.

Members discussed a number of issues including the need for local planning policies that supported economic growth and development; the importance of good transport infrastructure including individual company travel plans; the need for fit for purpose business accommodation at all levels of operation; and the value of an attractive environment and adequate technology infrastructure in attracting and retaining businesses.

            RESOLVED

            That the Horsham District Economic Strategy be approved.

            REASON

            Approval of the Economic Strategy ensures that the priorities and actions are endorsed by the Council as a whole. It will be a visible document that demonstrates to businesses and residents, the commitment to securing economic growth for the District.