Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Walker and Councillor Talbot.

There were no Declarations of Interest given at the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9th January 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record. 

There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Economic Growth Manager.

The Economic Growth Manager reported the salient areas of the report to the committee, which presented to members and officers progress against the Economic Growth Strategy Delivery Plan since the report to the Committee on 19 September 2022. The document also provided details of outreach to and intelligence from local businesses, the initial findings of an independent review of the Economic Growth Strategy and Action Plan and updates on key externally funded strategic regeneration programmes.

The supply of appropriately-skilled labour remains a challenge for local businesses – alongside increasing concern about the ‘cost of business’ as a parallel issue to the ‘cost of living’.

Since the last report presented to the Economic Development Committee, economic growth functions have fully reverted to ‘business as usual’ following the completion of the CRF-funded Enterprise Hub pilot. Members are assured the legacy of the Enterprise Hub will remain in the borough and Officers are engaged in early conversations with Norfolk Libraries Service to collaborate and continue with the Business outreach and support delivered through libraries.

There will also be an extension to the GoDigital grant scheme.

The Council secured support through the Local Government Association’s Economic Growth Advisors Programme, with funding of around £14,000 provided to commission Cambridge Econometrics to undertake an independent review of the current Economic Growth Strategy and Action Plan to ensure that it remains fit for purpose in light of recent economic shocks and challenges.

Councillor Wright commended the officer for a well put-together report and commented that the key to higher wages and attracting businesses to the area is to engage local colleges and universities and to improve qualifications and skills.

The Economic Growth Manager reported that collaboration is taking place with local colleges to help the strategy and move forward. The Skills Manager position has been filled and the incumbent is is now one month into their notice period. Skills shortages have been recognised and we are working with local businesses with support of NCC grant funded training provision.

Councillor Wright queried how Barclays were helping local initiatives.

The Economic Growth Manager advised that unfortunately the speaker from Barclays had been taken ill and was unable to attend tonight's meeting but, following a scheduled meeting, she would be writing a report for the committee regarding the support that Barclays are offering. She advised that Great Yarmouth has been identified  as a town that is in need of support and Barclays will be looking at the 'best practice' obtained from their case study on Bury St. Edmunds and implementing it in Great Yarmouth.

Councillor Plant commented that the report was comprehensive and there were interventions taking place to improve the skills shortage. Councillor Plant noted that the Borough was moving forward.

RESOLVED:-

That the Economic Development Committee reviewed and commented upon the appended, updated Economic Growth Strategy Plan and activity in support of the Borough's businesses and local economy.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Renewables Marketing Manager.

The Renewables Marketing Manager provided members with an update on GENERATE, and a summary of the marketing activity since the last Economic Development Committee meeting held in January 2023. This report outlines the planned activity for Q1 2023/2024.

Councillor Plant commended the Renewables Marketing Manager for the comprehensive report and commented that it was important to keep the momentum going as it would feed into the skills gap and enable jobs to be filled locally.

Councillor Wright thanked the Renewables Marketing Manager for the extensive report and stated that he supported everything in it. Councillor Wright commented on the amounts realised in relation to those in the pipeline and asked if the Renewables Marketing Manager could provide more details.

The Renewables Marketing Manager advised that some of the leads were relatively new but there would be definite progress by the end of the year.

Councillor Wright queried who the major competitors were and what they offered.

The Renewables Marketing Manager advised that competition can be in Europe and that some work was completed in Europe and then brought in.

The Director of Planning and Growth advised that work on the Great Yarmouth Operations and Maintenance Campus was commencing next week and due to last 50 weeks and that there would be further announcements in the coming weeks and months.

Councillor Cordiner-Achenbach asked if there were any risk implications regarding EEEGR and how great an impact it would be if the May event fell through.

The Renewables Marketing Manager advised that concerns had recently been alleviated, a strong team has been recruited and she was confident the May event would go ahead.

Councillor Plant raised a concern that EEEGR had asked for more money and were now going further afield and promoting Essex. 

The Renewables Marketing Manager advised that a small membership fee is paid to EEEGR and a greater benefit is received in the form of reduced stand fees at international events. 

Councillor Price thanked the Renewables Marketing Manager for her report and stated he was looking forward to companies signing up.

The Director of Planning and Growth advised that offshore wind announcements should be made in the coming weeks , and that advanced discussions are taking place with other interested parties.

Councillor Wright stated that he hoped that membership of EEEGR continued as they had produced a considerable amount of work and their work alongside GENERATE was established. He asked if the letter could be shared.

The Chair advised that he was not sure who the letter was addressed to, but he would find out and let the committee know. 

Councillor Wright asked if the committee could guarantee that it would not withdraw from the EEEGR without a full discussion taking place.

The Director of Planning and Growth advised that membership of the EEEGR is significantly beneficial.

Councillor Plant then read out an email and stated that it needed to be understood what EEEGR are promoting if we are paying for it. 

The Chair reiterated that he would look at the letter and see if it was possible for it to be shared.

Councillor Jeal formally seconded Councillor Wright’s request that a full discussion takes place prior to a decision being made to leave the EEEGR.

The Chair advised that as a proposal had been made and seconded, procedure needed to be followed. 

A vote was taken with 4 in favour and 7 against. The proposal was not carried.

The Chair thanked the Renewables Marketing Manager for her report. He stated that GENERATE should expand their Social Media platforms to include Facebook as this would allow for greater exposure. The Chair thanked Councillor Plant and Councillor Wright for their comments.

RESOLVED:-

That the Economic Development Committee reviewed and commented on the report.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Strategic Planning Manager.

The Strategic Planning Manager reported that Transport East was launched in 2018 and currently each partner is paying an annual fee of £4700. This will increase by 3.5% and is covered by the Strategic Planning budget.

Transport East has now completed its Transport Strategy setting the vision, priorities, and case for investment across the region. The strategy aims to de-carbonise transport, improve connections, enhance rural and coastal communities, and unlock international gateways. With relevance to Great Yarmouth, the Strategy identifies the A47 as a priority corridor, as well as the A12 from the south. The strategy also seeks to improve east west rail.

The Strategic Planning Manager asked members to endorse the Memorandum of Understanding with Transport East.

Councillor Wright thanked the Strategic Planning Manager for the concise report and queried whether it was value for money as it covers the area right the way down to Brentwood.

Councillor Plant advised that he was involved in Transport East for both the Borough Council and the County Council and the strategy identifies both the A47 corridor and the East/West rail for improvements which would benefit Great Yarmouth. Councillor Plant advised it was imperative inward investment is obtained and that transport links need to meet up with Cambridge and Peterborough to gain access to the economic heartlands. Councillor Plant stated it was a good report and commended it for approval.

Councillor Jeal agreed that the report was good and advised that the better the roads, the more business would be incoming, and he was happy to support the report.

The Chairman stated it was a good report and he was fully supportive of the Memorandum of Understanding. He stated there was an urgency to the A47 priority corridor and he wanted to see that carried on.

Cllr Plant proposed that the officer recommendations be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Jeal. 

RESOLVED:-

That the Economic Development Committee:

• Endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding contained with Appendix 1 of the report

• Delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Growth to sign the Memorandum.

The Chairman reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.