Agenda and minutes

1.   Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Thomas.

Councillor D Pinwell declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Director for Visit Knowle.

Councillor K Thomas declared a non-pecuniary interest as an employee of Jaguar Land Rover.

Councillor W Qais declared a non-pecuniary interest as an employee of the Department for Education (DfE).

No questions or deputations were received.

To consider for approval the draft Minutes arising from the Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board meeting held on 13^th September 2021.

Councillor J Ryan proposed that the discussion and points arising from the Scrutiny Board’s consideration of agenda item 5 ‘Solihull Connect Transport Strategy’, specifically with regard to safe and secure transport safety on the public transport network for the West Midlands region, be formed into letters for the attention of the Mayor (WMCA) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) respectively

.

The Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board:

RESOLVED:

Subject to the above, to agree the Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board Minutes dated 13 September 2021 as a true record.

To advise the Scrutiny Board on the development of an Economic Strategy for Solihull and to provide the Board with the opportunity to scrutinise the proposed approach.

The report was submitted to the Scrutiny Board to inform Members on the development of an Economic Strategy for Solihull and to provide the Scrutiny Board with the opportunity to scrutinise the proposed approach.

The Interim Head of Economic Development introduced the report and advised Members that it was the intention to commission a borough-wide economic strategy up to 2032 which would reflect current economic policy drivers to include both inclusive and green growth. It was acknowledged as imperative to retain growth in Solihull associated with major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and productivity growth/development associated with floor space and improved transport infrastructure and connectivity.

The economic strategy was seen to be an opportunity for the Council to take a view on inclusive growth for residents in the borough, to deliver life chances and to review the geography of growth to ensure equal accessibility to all residents across the borough.

The economic strategy would seek to grow existing businesses within the borough, review some spatial aspects associated with economic growth in Solihull and to continue liaising with education providers to further support the skills agenda and routes to employment. Thought would also be given towards reducing carbon emissions and negating environmental impact of economic growth via the economic strategy. 

It was the stated intention to produce an economic strategy over a 16-year period which would deliver an evidence base reflecting the current strengths, threats and opportunities available to the Council. Delivery of the economic strategy would be supported by an action plan which will detail and articulate the strategy’s objectives, outcomes and economic aspirations.

Rachel Riley (Director City Ready, Birmingham University) advised that on reflecting about the economic strategy a key area to address was the baseline for ‘do nothing’ and what that scenario would look like for the borough going forward.  A ‘do nothing’ baseline would support reflection and policy development as to what value could be added through the economic strategy, for example in addressing the question of productivity and what gaps/starting point had to be established and what actions implemented to deliver added value in this area. In essence, the economic strategy should adopt a god evidence approach.

Ms Riley advised the Scrutiny Board that she had commissioned economic baseline forecasts for the region through the Midlands Engine which the Council would be welcome to reference when formulating the refreshed economic strategy.

Other areas for consideration at the outset of the strategy refresh included the future economic landscape for the manufacturing sector in the region, related implications for employment creation and growth and the potential for subsequent impact on inclusive growth targets within the borough.

Having received an overview of the report, Members were invited to submit questions regarding the development of the economic strategy refresh, which in summary included the following matters:

Councillor Qais noted that two key themes were emerging in respect of the strategy refresh, namely those of flexibility and sustainability of the economic strategy going forward.  How could it be ensured that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Having considered the report, the Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board:

  RESOLVED:

(i)  To receive a progress report on the Borough Wide Economic Strategy refresh at the Scrutiny Board meeting scheduled for 18 March 2022 (in light of an Inclusive Growth report being scheduled for 18/3/22);

  (ii)  That Members of the Scrutiny Board receive an update on Local Centres 

  (by e-mail) before the Scrutiny Board meeting scheduled for 18 March 

2022; and,

  (iii) Agreed to retain a formal report on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)  

  arrangements as part of the Scrutiny Board’s formal Work Programme for

  2022/23 following completion of the national Planning Review and post 

  Council Local Plan Enquiry, to incorporate the following issues:

·  Uses of CIL for built development / infrastructure within the borough (e.g. provision of new schools, medical centres)

·  Comparison of CIL spend / allocation against allocated Community CIL fund spend in Wards

·  Outcomes of new CIL changes and impact on the borough

·  How is CIL funding spent across the borough

The Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board

meeting closed at 7:45 p.m.