Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART II

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY AND PROPOSALS

At its meeting on 27 April 2009 Cabinet approved a strategy and proposals for economic development across Hampshire that would develop an approach aimed at harnessing existing resources to better effect and create a bigger impact. Cabinet made clear that it wished to develop an economic plan for Hampshire which set out clear objectives such as the creation of a skills agency; effective partnership working; collaboration across public sector organisations and being capable of influencing regional economic development activity. Cabinet also stated its intent to develop a vision for transport planning and delivery, to provide a strategic and operational response to existing arrangements (e.g. PUSH and Diamonds for Growth), to maximise government investment in Hampshire wherever possible and to exploit opportunities to fund new infrastructure projects. The report approved by Cabinet as the basis to promote and discuss with partners the County Council's intentions and ambitions in the field of economic development can be accessed at /decisions/decisions-docs/090427-cabine-R0423094154

In furtherance of the above aims, Cabinet recommended the establishment of a Hampshire Economic Board (HEB), Terms of Reference for which would be submitted to the County Council on 15 June 2009. Once established, the HEB would be asked to concentrate on issues that would promote economic development such as the development of a skills strategy; ideas to exploit the County Council's size, scale and asset base; opportunities for young people and the development of short, medium and long term opportunities and ambitions. The HEB is intended to play a key role in the development of a strategy for working with partners at a district, sub regional, County level and beyond.

As the statutory provider of transportation services, Cabinet also proposed to develop the model of Transport for South Hampshire (TfSH) into Transport for Hampshire (TfH). This would recognise the scale and size of Hampshire and the interdependence of transport issues with other providers and local authorities in the South East. The development of an HEB and an integrated transport mechanism would sit alongside the Council's strategy, based on the Senate, for improved two tier working and governance.

Cabinet acknowledged that future economic growth will be shaped by the strength and quality of the infrastructure base within and beyond the County and the wide range of variables that had an influence on this. The County Council's leadership role in its environmental policies, sustainability and planning for climate change, and its desire for a county-wide employment and skills strategy was recognised as placing the County Council central to issues related to economic development. The creation of the new Hampshire Economic Board would therefore support the County Council's desire to drive forward economic development in the local and regional areas.