Agenda item

The report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development providing an overview of the Council’s strategic approach to Economic Development in the City.

Councillor Bogle – Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Fielker - Leader of the Council and Stephen Haynes – Executive Director for Growth and Prosperity were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

Councillor Bogle provided an overview of current progress and plans being developed to regenerate Southampton and drive economic development and fair and sustainable growth.  It was recognised the Council has too many plans and there was a need to focus on how the local authority operates to deliver the vision and priorities.

Stephen Haynes provided further detail in relation to the objectives to be included within the developing City Plan and Growth and Prosperity Plan and he explained how these align with the wider growth and prosperity ambitions, how these will be monitored, measured and reported on.  A re-design of the Growth and Prosperity Directorate was proposed to address capacity concerns and to support the delivery of the Growth and Prosperity Plan.

The Leader informed the Panel of the Southampton Renaissance Vision, recognised as one of the most significant investment opportunities in Europe. The vision is a Southampton vision, not a City Council vision. The growth sites are in the city centre, but there is an aspiration to commence masterplanning in Bitterne and Lordshill District Centres this year.

The Renaissance Board membership will be refreshed as focus moves to delivering the Renaissance Vision. The importance of identifying the right investor for Southampton was emphasised.

The Panel raised concerns about the risk of flooding, the impact it could have on the Renaissance Vision, and the lack of progress with regards to securing funding for the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme (RIFAS). The Leader recognised that flooding represented an existential challenge to the city, explained that integrating flood risk measures within development schemes was being considered, and informed the Committee that funding opportunities were being pursued.

The Committee asked about the role of the Strategic Development Advisors in driving economic growth. The Cabinet Member for Economic Development explained that their role is to equip the Council with the necessary knowledge and skills to accelerate development across the various areas with regeneration potential in the city. Working alongside council officers, the Strategic Development Advisors will offer advisory and consultancy services to help shape a Strategic Delivery Framework and progress regeneration activity.

The opportunities presented by the devolution proposal were raised by the Committee. It was recognised that, if agreed, the Mayoral Strategic Authority would bring significant devolved powers and funding from central government, focused on driving economic growth, improving skills and the employment rates of residents, strategic infrastructure investment, and enhanced transport and planning capabilities. This could help to deliver the city’s ambitions but it will require determination and vision, as well as support and guidance from Government.

Projects - Asset Development and Disposal

The Chair moved that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration any of the individual assets. 

Councillor Bogle informed the Committee that assets are levers for change that can unlock opportunities to move at pace and scale. The Cabinet Member then provided the Committee with an update in relation to specific projects within the Asset Development and Disposal Programme.

RESOLVED

1.  That the Committee are provided with an organogram / flow chart to help members visualise how the various strategies and plans are connected and are aligned to deliver the city’s growth and prosperity ambitions.

2.  That, reflecting flaws with the current Housing Strategy, the proposed Growth and Prosperity Plan includes SMART objectives that enable progress to be monitored and the Executive to be held to account.

3.  That, to enable oversight and input, the OSMC have the opportunity to consider the Growth and Prosperity Plan and the City Plan prior to adoption by the Council.