To consider the consultation draft of the revised Economic Strategy (Policy Framework Document) having regard to the attached questions and to make recommendations to the Cabinet.

Note:  the following people have been invited to the meeting for this item:

·                     Alan Denby, Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure

·                     Carl Wyard, Economy and Enterprise Manager – TDA

·                     Councillor Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing

·                     Matt Crabtree, Brixham Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Susie Colley, Torquay Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Sally Cope, Paignton Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Steve Reynolds, Torbay Business Forum

Members considered the submitted report which set out the Draft Torbay Economic Growth Strategy 2022-30 (Policy Framework document) currently out to public consultation.  Oral representations were heard from Matt Crabtree, Brixham Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Susie Colley, Torquay Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Sally Cope, Paignton Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Steve Reynolds, Torbay Business Forum who gave their views on the draft Strategy and how they could help Torbay improve economic regeneration.  Their feedback included:

·                     continued and increased two-way communication so that they could help share information with their members to keep them informed and raise awareness of what was happening in Torbay and also share what their members could offer in terms of job, skills and training opportunities (many of which were provided free of charge);

·                     continued partnership working;

·                     concerns regarding delays in the planning process or refusals preventing new developments and access to suitable accommodation, including student accommodation;

·                     concerns over the skills shortage and ability to fill vacancies;

·                     impact of transport links and parking and appropriate signage on growing the local economy;

·                     support for extending the tourism season;

·                     support generally for the draft Torbay Economic Growth Strategy;

·                     more emphasis could be made on health, social care, fishing, new homes and climate change within the draft Strategy;

·                     how was the impact on the cost of living crisis going to impact on delivery of the Strategy;

·                     the need to also attract non-seasonal businesses to Torbay;

·                     the need to encourage young people to stay within Torbay and how local businesses, schools and South Devon College could help achieve this and highlight alternative options for career development within Torbay;

·                     how signage such as the ones used on the former Debenhams site could be used at other sites across Torbay to make them more attractive e.g. Crossways;

·                     the joined up working and reach of the Torbay Business Forum, three Chambers of Trade and Commerce, the Council and TDA and how more resource could help them achieve more to support local businesses to communicate what they need; and

·                     the need to be able to engage more with smaller businesses who have limited resources to step away from running their businesses and share their views.

Questions were asked and responded to in respect of the following:

·                     how the local businesses were feeling about their future;

·                     how would the Council/TDA ensure that the Torbay Economic Growth Strategy 2022-30 remained a live document which would adapt to changing circumstances over the lifetime of the Strategy;

·                     would SMART targets and milestones be refined within the Strategy and/or action plan so that Members could monitor delivery against the Strategy at least annually;

·                     how would the Strategy ensure appropriate links for health, social care, parking, planning, renewable energy and waste and other key strategies;

·                     from a business perspective were people not coming forward to fill roles because they do not have the skills or because they were not aware of what training and development opportunities there were to learn these skills on the job and how was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

To consider the consultation draft of the revised Economic Strategy (Policy Framework Document) having regard to the attached questions and to make recommendations to the Cabinet.

Note:  the following people have been invited to the meeting for this item:

·                     Alan Denby, Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure

·                     Carl Wyard, Economy and Enterprise Manager – TDA

·                     Councillor Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing

·                     Matt Crabtree, Brixham Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Susie Colley, Torquay Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Sally Cope, Paignton Chamber of Trade and Commerce

·                     Steve Reynolds, Torbay Business Forum