Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies of absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Housden and Hurst.

To receive declarations of interest.

There were none.

To approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 27 January 2022.

The Chair of the Committee will answer questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

A public question was submitted. It was answered by the Chair, Councillor Cornell. (Refer to the recording of the meeting).

To approve the Economic Development Strategy and supporting Action Plan for the District.

The Senior Economic Development Specialist advised that since the Economic Development Strategy had been to Committee in November they had opened public consultation. Key changes that had been made following the consultation included:

• the baseline was updated
• clearer reference to the strategies and policies that the economic development strategy would compliment
• removal of focussed priority areas for cluster groups due to confusion.

The Senior Economic Development Specialist confirmed that the action plan set out the short term actions from 2022 – 25, the actions were specific to how the council could meet the key economic objectives and ranged across the exemplar encourager and enabler areas of work.

Councillor Davies asked how this action plan fed into the Council Plan. The Senior Economic Development Specialist confirmed that some of the short term actions mirrored those in the Council plan and were used to show how this action plan complimented the work that had already been agreed.

In response to a question from Councillor Braun, the Senior Economic Development Specialist confirmed that tourism was a key objective and they were now at the point of offering a position following interviews for the tourism post.

Councillor Pearson asked for clarification on various actions included within the plan and asked for further information on the branded campaigns. The Senior Economic Development Specialist advised that the campaign artwork and messaging had not yet been considered and no decisions had been made.

Councillor Craig expressed his concern that they would use the ‘Cotswolds’ to try to promote tourism in the area. He stated that the Cotswolds has been promoted and continued to be promoted to its full potential and that future growth for the whole of the County would come from the Vale. Councillor Craig also asked whether District Councillors would be invited to join the steering group. The Senior Economic Development Specialist confirmed that District Councillors would be invited and that the tourism officer would be looking at identifying the districts unique selling point.

Councillor Turner asked whether an additional action could be added to look at the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund. The Senior Economic Development Specialist asked Councillor Turner to send further information about the fund and the project so that it could be included in the action plan.

Councillor Robinson expressed concern about the slow role out of Fastershire. The Chief Executive confirmed that it was due to be discussed at the next Central Gloucestershire Board and that they would raise the question. Councillor Davies also advised Councillor Robinson to speak with Councillor Phil Robinson at the County Council.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Cornell, the Senior Economic Development Specialist confirmed that they would provide an update back to Committee in 6 months on the progress of the action plan.

Proposed by Councillor Braun and Seconded by Councillor Turner.

Councillor Turner advised that it was great to see that the strategy had been consulted on so widely and commended the strategy.

Councillor Davies confirmed that he would  ...  view the full minutes text for item SRC.68

An update was circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

In response to Councillor Braun, the Chief Executive confirmed that the districts had been asked to input into the 5 page document that would be sent to government.

An update was included in the published document pack. There were no questions.

An update was circulated to Member’s prior to the meeting.

Councillor Turner advised that a member of the public had come forward with a list of engagement opportunities and that this had been positively received.

An update was circulated to Members ahead of the meeting. There were no questions.

To consider the work programme.

Councillor Braun advised that it was more appropriate for an update on retrofit to be taken to the June meeting rather than the April meeting.

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

There were none.