1.         To review the evidence base in respect of the emerging revised Economic Strategy and to consider what action needs to be taken to improve Torbay as a Place, including job creation, educational attainment and sustainability.

2.         To review the action taken to address the impact of Covid-19 on the residents of Torbay.

(Note:  Alan Denby, Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, Carl Wyard, Economy and Enterprise Manager - TDA and Councillor Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing will be in attendance for this item.)

The Board considered and noted the report which laid out details of the Council’s Covid recovery and repositioning plan and set out areas of focus for the Council and partners across Torbay, including the business community, to help mitigate against the predicted economic impact of the pandemic.

The Board asked questions in respect of the following which were responded to at the meeting by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Councillor Long, Alan Denby, Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, and Carl Wyard, Economy and Enterprise Manager – TDA:

·                     The number of people undertaking NVQs was below national standards; what was the reason behind this and what was being done to improve opportunities for people to undertake further learning if they do not want to go to university.

·                     Education was an important step to improving lifestyle and getting better jobs; how do we help older people to access education opportunities.

·                     What was the impact of the demise of the construction company Midas on building projects in the bay and how would these also be affected by inflation increases.

·                     Was there capacity within the construction industry locally to support the projects vacated by Midas.

·                     How would the £2.3m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be spent to improve educational and employment opportunities within Torbay.

·                     How successful had the Kickstart programme been and what challenges had arisen from this.

·                     What steps were being taken to support Community Wealth Building.

·                     Was there a matrix to measure the success and benefits of Torbay projects.

·                     How could more people be helped into full-time and higher valued employment.

·                     Following more 30-40 year olds visiting Torbay during the pandemic, how could the Council encourage younger visitors to continue to come for breaks and how could the season be extended to encourage more visitors all year round.

·                     What percentage of the new Prosperity Funding was to improve numeracy skills.

·                     What steps would be taken to provide training for the older generation i.e. would training be taken out to those that most needed it rather than requiring them to attend South Devon College.

·                     Given the number of empty building sites not yet developed would there be a boom in house building and were there sufficient skilled construction industry workers for this.

·                     What action was being taken to ensure that the appropriate courses were being taught to fill the skills gaps.

·                     How would local businesses be consulted on the Economic Strategy, how often would the report be reviewed and would this be added to the Council’s policies on the website.

·                     How did Torbay’s visitor figures compare with those of neighbouring areas.

·                     Had the decline in hotel accommodation affected visitor numbers.

·                     Clarification of the total UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocated for Torbay was needed.

·                     How was the Build Torbay Project being monitored.

·                     What opportunities were there for businesses to work more closely with schools and South Devon College to help develop career pathways to encourage people to train and work in Torbay.

The Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure was requested to explore how to make the Economic Strategies and evidence base easier to find within the Council and TDAs websites. 

Members requested a visit be arranged for Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Board to EPIC to see the work with the electronics and photonics sector.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         that the Overview and Scrutiny Board receives details on how we will use the allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to ensure that the Council maximises the opportunities available within the criteria; and

2.         that the Divisional Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure be recommended that emphasis be placed on increasing the number of high valued jobs within Torbay as part of the emerging Economic Strategy.