Agenda item

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 8 of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 September 2014 the Committee considered the report of the Director of Built Environment.

The report detailed the implementation of recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Employment Development Working Group and highlighted that the Cabinet on 5 December 2013, Minute No. 72 refers, approved the recommendations as set out in that Final Report.  The Cabinet had resolved that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism be requested to develop an action plan/implementation plan for each of the agreed recommendations, including timescales and milestones for completion.

It was further reported that an action plan had been agreed by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism at his meeting held on 10 April 2014, which summarised activity across his portfolio and also identified initiatives undertaken with other portfolio holders.  The revised and updated action plan for implementing each of the Employment Development Working Group’s recommendations was attached to the report.

The Head of Economy and Tourism, Mr. Mark Long referred Members to the document attached to the report and entitled “Shared Prosperity – A Draft Policy”.

Mr. Long reported on the following headlines contained within the draft policy:-

·         Accelerating growth, creating Jobs, reducing poverty – an agenda for change.

·         A profile of Jobs and Growth in Sefton and the Liverpool City Region.

·         Sefton Council and its corporate priorities.

·         Partners for More and Better Jobs.

·         Policy Instruments.

·         Developing the Model for the Future.

A Member of the Committee raised concern regarding the Port and the undertaking from Peel Ports to employ local people.

The Chair reminded Members that some years ago the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) had undertaken a review in relation to the Port Master Plan.  The Chair indicated that a report was scheduled to be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee in relation to progress against recommendations of the Port Master Plan Working Group.   

The Chair, Councillor McKinley, thanked Mr. Long for the updated version of the report.  He stated that in his opinion the document was the first step in addressing the issues identified in the Final Report of the Economic Development Working Group in relation to supply and demand and social value.  He also highlighted that he was encouraged by the notion of accepting Capital to stimulate the local economy.

RESOLVED:             That

(1)       the report be noted; and

(2)       a report be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee in relation to the progress made against the recommendations of the Port Master Plan Working Group.