Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Reynolds and B Walker.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 16 July 2018 were confirmed.

Councillor Wright asked in relation to item 9 where he had asked for a breakdown of the Town Centre Initiative spend. The Development Director advised that this matter had been discussed at the Town Centre Members Working Group and that this information could be sent to Members via email.

The Committee received and noted the contents within the Economic Development Committee's Forward Plan.

The Chairman reported that he had asked for an update on the Beach Huts from the Head of Property and Asset Management, it was agreed that this matter be chased.

Members discussed the lack of items coming forward for Committee decision and the importance of the Economic Development Committee was highlighted, Members felt that the Committee should have more ownership on reports and the power to make decisions. Reference was made to the number of reports being taken straight through to the Policy and Resources Committee, due to the monetary values of the reports to be considered. The Strategic Director suggested that the comments raised be taken away and the Forward Plan be looked at by Officers.

Members received a presentation from Jan Feeney, Employment & Skills Manager at Norfolk County Council.

The following issues were discussed :-

• Apprenticeships, it was reported that nationally the statistics had dropped, Members discussed the difference in lengths of the apprenticeships and the challenges to maintain the quality of workmanship. It was pointed out that some expert skills were being missed due to individuals not being able to obtain the grades needed to undertake an apprenticeship.
• Members felt that there was a need for school involvement and that funding streams should be implemented into the school structures.
• A question was raised in relation to localised statistics, it was confirmed that statistics were held.

The Strategic Director provided Members with an update on recent activity with the Making Waves Project and introduced the Committee to Helen Johnson who would be leading on the project.

Helen provided Members with an update and overview of the projects and its aims.

In considering the report the following issues were discussed :-

• Art installation on the Waterways - it was reported this needed to be considered by the Members Working Group.
• A Member asked that no spray paint be used on the historic buildings, the Strategic Director advised that representations would be checked.
• Members felt there was a need to look at how the project had impacted local residents following completion, this was confirmed.

The Committee received and considered the Development Director's report which provided Members with an update on the very positive current performance of Economic Development Committee measures for the first quarter 2018/19 (Apr-Jun) where progress is assessed against targets which are set at the start of the financial year.

RESOLVED :

That all measures be monitored during the next quarter.

There was no other business discussed at the meeting.