95 Industrial Strategy White Paper PDF 388 KB
Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise,
Community and Resources, on the publication of the Government’s Industrial
Strategy White Paper (the Strategy), the potential implications and
opportunities for Halton and the impact on the Liverpool City Region.
The Board was advised that the Government’s Industrial Strategy White
Paper, “Building a Britain Fit for the Future”, was published in November 2017
and considered the role of Government in boosting the UK economy, embracing
technology and the use of public procurement initiatives and the regulatory
environment to support business. It was reported that the White Paper was a
significant document because it set the agenda for economic policy over the
period of the current Parliament and beyond.
The White Paper also confirmed that the Government would be pressing
ahead with a series of Sector Deals, with construction, life sciences,
automotive and artificial intelligence the first to benefit from a strategic,
long-term partnership with Government.
In the Strategy, the Government had identified four “Grand Challenges”,
which were global trends that would shape the rapidly changing future. The
report considered the impact of the Strategy for Halton, how businesses could benefit and the role of
devolved authorities and partners in the delivery of elements of the economic
strategy. Members noted that Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority
could be in the first wave of areas to be invited to complete a Local
Industrial Strategy which would identify the allocation of resources and
funding. It was noted that work had already been undertaken in the LCR in
preparation and that it was intended that local organisations, businesses,
education establishments and local government would determine local growth priorities.
RESOLVED: That
1) the
Industrial Strategy be used to inform Halton’s future
regeneration activities; and
2) Members
agree to the Council working with the Combined Authority to ensure that a
future Liverpool City Region Local Industrial Strategy reflects the Borough’s
regeneration priorities and opportunities.