Issue - meetings

Economic Recovery Plan

Meeting: 24/11/2020 - Cabinet (Item 8)

8 Uttlesford Economic Recovery Plan pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To consider the report on the Uttlesford Economic Recovery Plan.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED to:

i.              recommend the report included at Appendix A to Council for approval, subject to any changes as required.

ii.             delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder Economy, Investment and Corporate Strategy to make further changes as required ahead of consideration by Full Council.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Reeve summarised the report on the Uttlesford Economic Recovery Plan. He said there were many businesses and individuals in the District that required assistance and that £1 million had been made available to help with the economic recovery. The draft Recovery Plan before Members tonight outlined how that money would be best spent. The primary drivers of the Plan, in addition to the priority of economic recovery post Covid-19, were the need for a green economy and to tie in economic development with the emerging Local Plan. Furthermore, there were four main areas of focus:

 

·         Business support

·         Information, advice and guidance (to individuals as well as businesses)

·         Skills and training

·         Job creation, now and in the future

 

He highlighted some success stories of economic recovery, including a local online shopping service, whereby local retailers offer their goods on a shared website, to which 40 or 50 businesses had already signed up. He thanked the officers involved in drafting the Plan and proposed the recommendation set out in the report, subject to any minor changes that needed to be made before consideration by Full Council.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Caton, Councillor Reeve said the Economic Development team were under resourced and additional staff would be brought in to ensure there was capacity to meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

In response to a question regarding the visitor economy, Councillor Reeve said he would look at how best to promote ‘Uttlesford’s tourist trail’.

 

Councillor Gregory said he welcomed the Recovery Plan’s bias to action in the current climate and smart objectives could follow in due course.

 

Members discussed the lack of a job centre in Uttlesford, and the importance of having a Citizen’s Advice Bureau in the district.

 

            RESOLVED to:

i. recommend the report included at Appendix A to Council for approval, subject to any changes as required.

ii. delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder Economy, Investment and Corporate Strategy to make further changes as required ahead of consideration by Full Council.