Issue - meetings

The Head of North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR) presented the Economic Priorities for Redditch Annual Report 2016/17 for Members’ consideration.  During the presentation of this report the following matters were highlighted for Members’ consideration:

·                The Council’s current economic priorities were agreed in 2015.  Since then good progress had been achieved in delivering on these priorities.

·                The local economy had performed reasonably well over the past 12 months, though was being out performed by neighbouring areas.

·                In 2016 employment levels had declined when compared to 2015, though overall employment rates remained relatively positive.

·                In September 2017 the NWEDR had commissioned Mr Brendan Nevin to review the economic performance of Redditch and how this fitted within the local region.  This had identified a number of challenges and opportunities.

·                Average earnings in Redditch were lower than the regional average.

·                Links had been identified between the West Midlands economy and the economy in the Borough, with the regional economy being largely southward facing. 

·                Redditch Borough Council needed to work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to ensure that the economies of both prospered.

·                An action plan had been developed to help improve productivity in Redditch moving forward.

·                The action plan had been refreshed for Redditch and a fifth theme had been added; Connecting Redditch, to ensure the Borough was connected to the wider regional economy.

Following the presentation of the report Members discussed a number of matters in detail:

·                The time taken to develop the report and action plan and the extent to which the Economic Development Theme Group and Town Centre Partnership had been engaged in this process.

·                The involvement of Worcestershire County Council in developing the action plan.  Members were advised that the County Council was primarily engaged through the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and both the Worcestershire Employment and Skills Board (ESB) and the North Worcestershire ESB.

·                The Council’s membership of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and the WMCA.

·                The choice of Redditch, as a non-constituent member of the WMCA, in which to launch the Swift Card, the West Midland’s equivalent of the London Oyster Card, and the benefits of a forthcoming launch event to help promote this card.

·                The recent visit of the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, to Redditch and the discussions that had been held during this visit with regards to economic development.

·                The Redditch Eastern Gateway, which had recently received planning permission from Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove District Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council and the opportunities for economic development potentially arising from this site.

·                The Opening Doors event at the Palace Theatre, which had provided students from local schools with an opportunity to learn about careers in different industries.

·                The £1.5 million investment in a centre of excellence in respect of engineering in Redditch.

·                The £5 million in funding identified for regeneration works in the town centre and the extent to which the Council had definitely secured this funding.  Officers advised that the funding was provisional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95