Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence submitted to this meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Informal Minutes of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 9 November 2020.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Growth Scrutiny Committee held on 9 November 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To further discuss the new Growth Strategy and receive a presentation from the Director of Growth & Economic Development.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, the Director of Growth & Economic Development, and the Head of Economic Growth, Regeneration & Housing Delivery were present at the meeting to give a presentation and to discuss the Council’s Growth Strategy.

Members heard that there was a number of priority areas that had been identified such as skills, town centre regeneration, the visitor economy and business engagement and support.

The Committee heard about the national and regional strategies that were applicable to North East Derbyshire, such as the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Derbyshire Economic Partnership’s (DEP) Economic and Skills Recovery Strategy, and the D2N2 Recovery Strategy. Members were informed that there were two cross cutting themes in the national and regional strategies, which were low carbon and increased use of digital technology. Members noted that the Government had a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Director of Growth and Economic Development informed the Committee that the Growth Strategy would be finalised in late January, with consultation commencing with stakeholders in February. The Strategy would be submitted to Cabinet in April.

The Committee discussed Performance Indicators. Members were informed that an Action Plan would be established to help achieve some of the targets and ambitions of the Growth Strategy, and that Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) would be attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth informed Members about a number of projects which had been established in North East Derbyshire, such as investment through the Clay Cross Town Deal Board, OPE at Eckington and Killamarsh, and town centre regeneration. The Committee noted that there were upwards of 40 projects that formed the basis of the Council’s Growth Strategy.

Members discussed the importance of the Growth Strategy delivering investment and jobs for residents in North East Derbyshire, especially after the economic impacts of the Pandemic. The Committee had a wide ranging discussion on the returns on investment, both financial and social, and how much the Council expected to invest in the Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To further discuss the new Tourism Strategy.  Please note this document is still a draft and subject to further amendments. 

The Committee was presented with the draft NED Visitor Economy Strategy 2021-24. It was stated, however, that the Strategy was still in draft format and subject to change.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth gave a presentation which outlined the Council’s vision for tourism in North East Derbyshire. Members heard that the District was geographically well placed, and attracted approximately 3 million visitors in 2017. It also generated 1,949 FTE jobs accounting for the sector being worth £147 million in the same year. In April 2020, there was approximately 360 businesses in the tourism sector.

The Committee discussed the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the tourism industry, and potential opportunities for the sector once national restrictions have been relaxed.

Members heard that the Council was engaging in closer partnership work to grow the District’s tourism and visitor economy, such as partnerships with Marketing Peak District, Derbyshire Tourist Board, Derbyshire County Council and D2N2.

The Portfolio Holder informed the Committee of a number of priorities, such as creating a year round visitor economy in the District, developing the visitor offer, developing and promoting the cultural and natural heritage of the area, and improving the skills of local businesses.

Members discussed connectivity in the District, and the importance of working with partners to ensure that key attractions such as cycle routes remained funded, well maintained and accessible.

The Overview and Scrutiny Manager reminded the Committee that evidence would be triangulated at the next meeting to form the basis of the Scrutiny Review Report.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.  Please note, the most up-to- date Forward Plan of Executive Decisions can be accessed via the following link:-

https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1137&RD=0&bcr=1

AGREED – That the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Growth Scrutiny Committee 2020/21 and review the proposed workload.

AGREED – That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the Committee is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items considered at this meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee.

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee will be held on Monday, 22 February 2021 at 1.00 pm.

The next meeting of the Growth Scrutiny Committee would take place on Monday, 22 February 2021 at 1.00 pm.