To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on  6 September 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 6 September 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report on the above.

The Board considered the draft Torbay Economic Strategy which was due to be considered by the Council at its meeting on 19 October 2017.  The Strategy provided a five year plan for growing Torbay’s economy with an action plan focussing on sustainable productive growth.

Resolved:  that the following views of the Board be forwarded to the Council:

The Board recognises the importance of achieving the objectives set out in the Economic Strategy in meeting the ambition of the Corporate Plan to support and improve the economy in Torbay.  As such the Board supports the broad direction and the objectives of the proposed Strategy.

The Board has heard that, whilst there is currently adequate economic development funding available to pump-prime the strategy, overall delivery will be reliant upon many other funding streams.  It is imperative, therefore, that economic development resources continue to be available and the Board will take this into account in considering the Mayor’s budget proposals for 2018/19 and future years.

To consider a discussion paper on the above.

The Board considered a discussion paper prepared by the Director of Economic Strategy and Performance at the TDA on the potential to create Coastal Enterprise Zones.

Resolved:  the Board support the proposals within the discussion paper on the creation of Coastal Enterprise Zones and piloting such an initiative in Torbay.