Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the notes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2017

The group approved the notes of the meeting held on 22 March 2017.

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.