Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Coleman and Reynolds.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11 September 2017 were confirmed.

Some concern was raised in respect of the item regarding the ice rink, and reference was made to the recent report which had been considered by Council at its meeting on the 5 October which asked Members to consider the hiring of an ice rink. Councillor Walker asked for clarification from Officers on the following matters :-

• Why the contingency costings had been reduced from £24,000 to £3000
• Why had no VAT been taken into account
• Why music costings had been reduced by £9000

The Development Director advised that these matters would be sent to the appropriate Officers for clarification.

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

Councillor Walch asked the committee for an item to be added to the Forward Plan in relation to the Beach Coach Station Car Park, he advised the Committee that this matter had been discussed at the Yarmouth Area Committee meeting.

Councillor Wainwright raised some concern in relation to there being no date assigned to the item in respect of beach huts and asked that this matter be brought to the next meeting of the Committee. The Development Director advised that the Head of Property and Asset Management had produced a draft report on this matter and that he would ask for this to be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Economic Development Committee.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Committee note the contents within the Forward Plan for the Economic Development Committee.

(2) That approval be given to an addition to the Forward Plan for an item in relation to the Beach Coach Station and that the item in respect of Beach Huts be brought to the next meeting of the Economic Development Committee

The Committee received and considered the Economic Development Officer's report which asked Members to endorse the new Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy to 2036 with the inclusion of 'flood defences' in the infrastructure section.

Members were advised that the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is required by Government to produce a strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk to guide the economic development and growth of the area. This latest strategic document builds on the original Strategic Economic Plan dated 2014 and is presented to the Council for endorsement. This endorsement process is happening across all district/borough authorities and both County Councils across Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Economic Development Officer provided Members with a detailed presentation which highlighted the following ways in which Great Yarmouth relates to the strategy:-

• Current Strategy
• Enterprise Zone : South Denes 
• Enterprise Zone : Beacon Park
• Speculative Development 
• Bespoke Development 
• Marketing and Promotion : Energy 
• Key Sector Support
• Key Sector Investment 
• Infrastructure investment - potential
• Transport Investment 
• European Funding
• Proposed New Strategy - Potential
• Proposed New Strategy - Ambitions 

The Economic Development Officer reported that the strategy looked ahead to 2036 but would focus on the steps needed over the next 4 years to achieve long term success. It is a living blue print to guide the work and investment of partners. He advised that Great Yarmouth has benefited from the current New Anglia LEP 'Strategic Economic Plan' and has an important part to play in delivering the stated ambitions of the new strategy. This new strategy will provide the framework to address the challenges and make the most of its opportunities.

The Development Director pointed out the importance of ensuring that flood defences formed part of the strategy, under the 'infrastructure' section.

Councillor Jeal made reference to the need for British steel to be used and asked that this be fed back to the LEP/Environment Agency, the Economic Development Officer reported that this matter would be fed back and he advised that he had asked for local companies to be used for purchasing. Councillor Jeal also asked in relation to European funding and whether a contingency fund had been built in moving forward in light of Brexit. The Economic Development Officer reported that a shared prosperity fund had been established.

Councillor Wainwright raised concern in relation to the lack of tourism reference throughout the document, and stated that in his opinion tourism contributed a vast amount of money back into the Borough therefore felt that this matter should be addressed. It was highlighted that NALEP were to present to Great Yarmouth's Seafront BID soon.

Councillor Walch asked in relation to the progress of the Acle Straight, the Development Director reported that the A47 Alliance had prioritised the Acle Straight development, he advised that costing work had been undertaken and Highways England relevant studies are being completed. The Development Director agreed to circulate via email the latest A47 Alliance information to Members of the Committee.

Councillor Wainwright suggested that a representative from the LEP be invited to attend a future meeting of the Economic Development Committee, it was agreed that the Chief Executive Officer of the LEP, Mr C Starkie be invited to attend the next meeting.

Reference was made to the NALEP Small Grant Scheme, some concern was raised in relation to the number of small businesses who remained unaware of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the Committee endorse the new Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy to 2036 with the inclusion of 'flood defences' in the infrastructure section.

(2) That the Chief Executive Officer of the LEP, Mr C Starkie be invited to attend a future meeting of the Economic Development Committee.