To receive a verbal report from the Head of Economic Growth on the delivery of the Council’s Economic Growth Strategy and to consider progress in securing investment in the Digital and Health Care Sector.  [Presentation to follow]

Contact:  Gemma Davies, Head of Economic Growth, tel 01743 253869

          Members received a verbal report from the Head of Economic Growth on the delivery of the Council’s Economic Growth Strategy and progress in securing investment in the Digital and Health Care Sector.  A presentation was given which covered the following areas:

·         Shropshire Context

·         Jobs and Employment

·         Economic Growth Team Structure

·         Economic Growth Strategy

·         Strategic Aims

·         Results to date 2017 and 2018

·         Current enquiries

·         Invest in Shropshire Rebrand

·         Sector Development Focus

·         Lead Generation Campaign

·         Visitor Economy

          The Deputy Leader paid tribute to the previous Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth who had worked very hard over the previous 12 months to put the meat on the bones of the Economic Growth Strategy for which work was ongoing at pace.  He informed Members of the recent interest from investors which was really positive and that work was ongoing in the right direction, it was just a matter of timing to secure investment.

          A brief discussion ensued in relation to renewable energy, zero carbon housing, solar panels and the storage of energy etc.  The Director of Place reassured the Committee that there was considerable work ongoing in these areas.

          As well as external investment, Members felt that internal investment was also required for Shropshire to grow its own talent.  A comment was made about there being no higher education being located in the south of the county.  In response, the Head of Economic Growth drew attention to the SMEs and micro businesses along with centres of excellent such as The Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology and the LEP Skills Advisory Panel.  She explained that there was a lot of work ongoing and more to be done.

          A query was raised about the number of business in Shropshire and how this compared with previous years.  The Head of Economic Growth confirmed that a direct comparison could be done as indicators were now tracked and the number had grown slightly. 

          A discussion took place around the visitor economy and the role of the Council, which was seen to have a strategic co-ordinator/facilitator role.  It was hoped to get Shropshire on the national agenda including the Visit Britain campaign.  In response to a query about hotel chains, the Deputy Leader reported that there was huge interest by hotel chains to invest in market towns and that 4-5 different chains had made enquiries about different sites in Shropshire.

          In response to a query it was confirmed that population forecasts were used to predict what the worker/skills gap would look like in the future along with a Business Growth projection looking at the skills businesses would require.  This data allowed officers to delve down into sectors.  It was confirmed that the sectors selected for development were the fastest growing areas.  In response to a query, it was confirmed that although there were opportunities for growth in retail, diversity was also required.

          The Head of Economic Growth reported that there was now a team in place looking at job creation which was still on trajectory to meet its 2021 target of 3,700 new jobs.  The Director of Place then discussed the number of new homes projected to be required by 2021.  He reported that the Council’s statutory target had been set at about 1400 new homes required per year in order to meet need.

          The Chair requested any that any further questions be sent direct to The Head of Economic Growth or the Director of Place.