Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided Members with a review and summary of the economic and regeneration strategies and interventions that were published by central government and regional agencies.  It also provided commentary on a range of local strategies from Halton based organisations, including the Council. 

The report considered how these strategic documents and policies might influence aspects of the Council’s future service delivery in respect of economic development and regeneration. 

Members discussed the report and the Government’s proposed new industrial strategy Green Paper ‘Building Our Industrial Strategy’ that was unveiled by the Prime Minister at Sci-Tech Daresbury on 23 January 2017, was highlighted.   This consultation document would close on 17 April 2017.

It was reported that supporting the economy of Halton – the work undertaken by the Council’s Economy, Enterprise and Property Department, was primarily driven by perceived local needs and priorities determined by the Council.  However it was noted that other public sector agencies and organisations operating both locally and at regional levels increasingly intervened in numerous ways in the local economy.   These organisations normally had published strategies and policies in place that outlined their goals and how they intended to achieve them. 

Appended to the report was a document that identified some key documents that would, at varying levels, influence Halton’s thinking and would help shape the economic development activities and interventions that this Department undertakes.

In response to a Members comment regarding the future impacts of Brexit, it was not known at this point in time, however it could be said that there would be some winners and some losers.  The Chair commented that this subject could be a future scrutiny topic group.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.