Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place. 

Resolved:

That Cabinet approve and agree:

1.    The Swindon and Wiltshire Economic Strategy 2025-2036; and

2.    To delegate to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to sign off the designed copy of the strategy for publication.

Reason for Decision:

The production of an economic strategy for Swindon and Wiltshire is a government requirement.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council presented the Swindon and Wiltshire Economic Strategy 2025-2036 for approval.  

The Leader explained that the Strategy would also be considered for approval by Swindon Borough Council on 4 February 2025. He reported that the government required the production of an economic strategy for Swindon and Wiltshire as part of its policy to transfer the functions of local enterprise partnerships (LEP) to upper tier local authorities, The completion of the strategy was also a core funding condition for 2024/25.

Cabinet noted that the purpose of the strategy is to present the strategic priorities required to deliver economic growth for the next ten years. It also sets the wider context for any future requirement to produce a ‘local growth plan’ that is, capital investment priorities requiring government funding for delivery or enabling works.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler, Chair of the Environment Select Committee reported that he and the Vice-Chair of the Select Committee received a briefing on 16 January 2025 and indicated that during the discussion they considered the impact of devolution on the Strategy and how a lack of detail is affecting planning. They also looked at possible content and timescales for the government’s industrial strategy and devolution bill. They welcomed the Strategy and asked that the Environment Select Committee will be kept up to date on developments.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, felt that the Strategy lacked evidence about resources., both people and finance, a lack of milestones, what the Strategy will do and how, and would it help to increase the number of start-ups and provide advice and support. The Leader referred to the monitoring section of the Strategy which set out how the Strategy would provide the detail suggested by Cllr Thorn.  It was noted that responsibility for the LEP would be transitioning to the new Combined Mayoral Authorities, and that further clarity was needed from the Government on the devolution landscape. The Leader supported the comment about advice and support for start-ups where it was required.  

Resolved:

That Cabinet approve and agree:

1.    The Swindon and Wiltshire Economic Strategy 2025-2036; and

2.    To delegate to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to sign off the designed copy of the strategy for publication.

Reason for Decision:

The production of an economic strategy for Swindon and Wiltshire is a government requirement.