Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills seeking scrutiny of the draft Economic Strategy 2022-2030 following its approval for consultation by Cabinet at their meeting on 16 March 2022 (schedule 1 to the signed minutes)

The County Council’s Economic Recovery, Renewal and Transformation Strategy was adopted in June 2020 in response to the challenges and opportunities arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, since that time, Staffordshire’s economic outlook had improved significantly which meant that a new Strategy was required, aligned to the priorities identified in both the refreshed Strategic Plan and emerging national policy.

The Primary focus of the draft revised Strategy (through the Strategic Plan) were:- (i) Town centres; (ii) Start-up and step-ups; (iii) Higher skilled and higher paid workforce; (iv) The development of investment ready projects and; (v) Strategic corridors. In addition, various other priorities and themes were identified as being important in supporting the future growth of the economy. These included:- (i) Innovation; (ii) Supporting businesses on their journey to net zero and; (iii) Maximising the use of investment to unlock external funding.

Achieving the vision and ambitions set out in the Strategy required delivery of the various projects and programmes set out in existing and future supporting Delivery Plans. It was recognised that the level of resources needed to complete some of these projects were beyond those currently available to the Council. Therefore, the Authority intended to lead on direct delivery, collaborate on joint delivery and advocate for the delivery of projects and programmes which met shared objectives, where necessary.

During the full and wide-ranging discussion which ensued, Members gave detailed scrutiny to the draft revised Strategy, asking questions, seeking clarification and raising issues of concern as necessary, including:- (i) the arrangements for monitoring progress towards achieving ambitions which they said should be appropriate and timely; (ii) the level of flexibility required to take account of rapidly changing circumstances eg rising costs/inflation and in the labour market etc; (iii) the need to have careful regard to the importance of digital infrastructure, new technologies and the ‘green’ Agenda; (iv) the support required by the voluntary sector going forward building on the excellent work which it had achieved during recent months; (v) the role of County Councillors in communicating the Authority’s vision and monitoring outcomes and; (vi) support for small and medium sized enterprises having regard to their major role in the Staffordshire economy.

In response, the Cabinet Member acknowledged the various points which had been made, highlighting the relevant paragraphs in the draft Strategy, where necessary. However, he undertook to ensure their comments were adequately reflected in the final version and looked forward to working with them in monitoring progress against detailed Delivery Plan targets.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the Economic Strategy 2022-2030 be supported and the above-mentioned points/areas of concern be incorporated into the final document and Delivery Plans, where appropriate.

(c) That an update on progress against the various ambitions set out in the Strategy and targets in the Delivery Plan be brought to the Committee at three monthly intervals.