Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

None.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2016 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder ENDORSED the updated Landbeach Tithe Barn project plan and the list of trustees and their commitment.

The Historic Buildings Consultancy Officer presented this report, which updated the Portfolio Holder on the project plan for the Landbeach Tithe Barn and the progressing being made on both the Sawston Tannery Drying Shed project and the transfer of St Denis Church at East Hatley.

Landbeach Tithe Barn

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder expressed the following hopes:

·         The Trust would be able to sub-let the Barn.

·         Vehicle access to the Barn could be made possible both for repair work and for future users of the Barn, the he noted that the Council’s current legal right was just for the purpose of repair and maintenance.

·         That the signing of the lease would take place by the end of April.

St Denis Church, East Hatley

It was noted that an opening event was taking place in May. The Portfolio Holder welcomed the progress being made on this project.

Sawston Tannery Drying Shed

The Historic Buildings Consultancy Officer explained that the scaffolding had been fully erected and monthly meetings were being held to oversee the project.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder NOTED the progress of the works at the Sawston Drying Shed and that legal work to enable the transfer of St Denis Church, East Hatley to the Friends of Friendless Churches was close to completion.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder ENDORSED the updated Landbeach Tithe Barn project plan and the list of trustees and their commitment.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder APPROVED the refresh of the Economic Development/Growth Strategy 2016 – 2020.

The Director of Health and Environmental Services presented this report which invited the Portfolio Holder to update the Economic Development Strategy for the period 2016 – 2020. He explained that whilst an update was required he advised against a full review, due to the uncertain economic climate.

Following a brief discussion, the Economic Development Portfolio Holder agreed that the Strategy needed to be updated and whilst future amendments would be required, it would not be an appropriate use of office time to carry out a full review due to a number of factors, which included uncertainties surrounding public funding. Councillors agreed that the refresh should be evidential, address barriers to economic development, represent the diversity of economic sectors and businesses and detail how Council policy such as planning, supported economic growth. It was also agreed that the refresh would be member led and that the Economic Development Portfolio Holder would issue an invitation to members to participate and thereby commence scoping the work.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder APPROVED the refresh of the Economic Development/Growth Strategy 2016 – 2020.

The Principal Lead for Economic Development and Tourism presented this report which updated the Portfolio Holder on the delivery of economic development in the District and the future delivery of activities agreed at the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder meeting on 11 December 2013.

The Principal Lead for Economic Development and Tourism agreed to send all councillors both a leaflet entitled “Become a #CambsNotspotter” which asked local people to identify areas of no or low internet connectivity, and Appendix 1 to this report, which detailed the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme. It was noted that there both these issues were included in this quarter’s South Cambs magazine.

The Director of Health and Environmental Services highlighted the challenges involved in supporting a rural economy in a district with 104 villages.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder NOTED the progress made on the delivery of agreed economic development actions.

The Portfolio Holder will maintain, for agreement at each meeting, a Work Programme identifying all matters relevant to the Portfolio which it is believed are likely to be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.   The Programme will be updated as necessary.  The Portfolio Holder will be responsible for the content and accuracy of the Work Programme.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder agreed that a report on Schools and Apprenticeships should be added to the agenda for the next meeting on 8 June. He asked whether the Gypsy and Traveller report would be on the needs assessment.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder NOTED  the Work Programme.

Wednesday 8 June 2016, 2.00pm

It was noted that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 June 2016 at 2pm.