Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the work to revise the Business Growth Strategy and Action Plan to reflect the new four year period 2024-2028.

The Business Growth Manager explained the Council’s Business Growth Strategy for the period 2020-2024 had focussed on how the Development Directorate had prioritised its own work and its work with internal and external partners to achieve the Council’s ambitions over the four-year period 2019-2023.  This report was to update the Committee on the work so far completed in revising the strategy and action plan to reflect the new 4-year period 2024-2028.

To maintain focus on achieving the Council’s ambition the strategy was organised around the Council’s economic priorities:

1.     Making the best use of our assets;

2.     Ensuring financial sustainability and increasing revenue streams;

3.     Unlocking Development Potential: unlocking the capacity of major employment sites;

4.     Enabling Housing Growth: increasing the supply, quality and range of housing to meet the needs of the growing population and support economic growth;

5.     Working with partners to support enterprise, innovation, jobs and skills; and,

6.     Promoting the District and working with partners to increase tourism.

The action plan included specific details of how these priorities would be achieved through various ongoing projects.

The Council had launched in April 2024 the new Corporate Plan ‘Bolsover District – The Future 2024-2028’, and the EMMCCA would likely see further changes be implemented to the strategy, including on matters of transport, housing and skills.

The five thematic areas of the strategy had been established with an ambition under each:

·       Business and Innovation Ambition: we will make Bolsover an even better place to do business;

·       Land and Housing Ambition: we will make Bolsover an even better place to live;

·       Net Zero Ambition: we will take effective climate action for people and places;

·       Transport Ambition: we will make it easier for anyone to get around the District and easier to get to and from other places; and,

·       Adult Education and Skills Ambition: everybody is able to believe in a positive future, be more ambitious about what is possible and go on to have successful lives regardless of their background or situation.

Work was underway to build upon the above ambitions, as was work with internal and external partners to identify and set out the activities and initiatives which would help to achieve these ambitions.

The strategy would include an action plan and establish timelines.

A Member asked about the timescale of this strategy, and the Business Growth Manager stated the intention was for an update on the draft strategy be available at the next Committee meeting or the one thereafter; it was important the priorities and ambitions reflected corporately with what the Council wanted to achieve.

A Member noted the EMMCCA was a considerable new element for the Council to consider in its strategy.  The Business Growth Manager added it was important the strategy reflected the significant changes taking place; the way the previous strategy had been written enabled the Council to respond quickly – the intent was to retain this ability to react quickly to any new funding and investment.

The Chair asked if the Committee would be able to provide its thoughts on the objectives of the strategy.  The Business Growth Manager confirmed the draft would need to come before the Committee for consultation, which would provide an opportunity to comment.

Moved by Councillor Jeanne Raspin and seconded by Councillor Jane Yates

RESOLVED that the report be noted.