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Issue - meetings

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Meeting: 28/03/2019 - Executive (Item 99)

99 West Berkshire Council Economic Development Strategy (EX3674) pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Purpose:  To introduce the draft Economic Development Strategy.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved that the draft Strategy can go forward to consultation.

 

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 4 April 2019, then it will be implemented.

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 6) concerning the draft Economic Development Strategy.

Councillor James Fredrickson introduced the item by explaining that the Economic Development Strategy was designed to help meet forthcoming challenges for the District. Key amongst those challenges was the projected demographic shift in West Berkshire which suggested a move from the current position of having four working age people for every retired person to two working age people for every retired person. A projected 185% increase in over 85 year olds over the next 25 years was not sustainable as things stood and was being prepared for. The Economic Development Strategy had a key role in this.

West Berkshire’s local economy was strong, resilient and diverse, and brought many benefits to meet future challenges. The district had an incredible amount to offer businesses and residents with excellent digital connectivity (including broadband in rural areas and a move to 5G connectivity), key strategic transport links, world class training opportunities and representation from a wide range of industries. Councillor Fredrickson added that West Berkshire Council had been nominated for an award for its plans to support economic growth.

In terms of specifics, Councillor Fredrickson highlighted (as one example of many initiatives) that the Economic Development Strategy would encourage the greater uptake of apprenticeships. A Community Apprenticeship Levy Fund would be created and used innovatively to enable a wider range of businesses to employ an apprentice.

The Executive was being asked to approve the Economic Development Strategy for consultation. Subject to gaining approval, the consultation process and the resultant adoption and then implementation of the document would be owned by the newly formed Economic Development Board.

Councillor Lee Dillon advised that he would make his comments in response to the consultation, but he questioned the absence of any mention of Brexit and/or the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU). Had that been considered in the production of the Strategy?

In response, Councillor Fredrickson explained that consideration was given in producing the Strategy to the political situation in relation to the EU and meeting changing market forces. The focus for the future was for West Berkshire to be more independent regardless of difficulties that might be encountered.

RESOLVED that the draft Strategy would be approved for consultation.

Other options considered: None.