Issue - meetings

To support the Growth and Prosperity Plan for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (report of the Assistant Director for Economic Growth, the Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and the Assistant Director for Strategic Growth and Development enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Economic Growth which requested support for the Growth and Prosperity Plan for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The Leader (Portfolio Holder – Partnerships) presented the report.

The Growth and Prosperity Plan reflected the vision and priorities of the sub-regional strategy for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

It was the first partnership wide document that sought to capture in a single unifying document the partnership’s key priorities around economic growth, the themes of intended focus and the principles that would underpin the approach.

Shaped through regular briefings with members across the SELCP, it set out 5 strategic priorities:

·       Vibrant Town Centres and Regeneration

·       Supporting Priority sectors and businesses

·       Supporting skills, learning and employment opportunities

·       Enabling growth and housing

·       Attracting investment

A single Growth and Prosperity Plan for the Partnership would demonstrate to external partners the partnership’s alignment and collective focus on a prosperous, productive and creative economy. It would be useful when liaising with government and other stakeholders, as a means of helping communicate priorities as a partnership. The Partnership had a track record of delivery and this would help when seeking funding and attracting investment on a partnership basis.

It helped provide a basis for the partnership to consider how and where to apply resources going forward. The Plan did not propose a ‘one size fits all approach’; instead, it had an evidence-led foundation and was place-based – directly responding to the issues and challenges in each locality.

Member briefings had positively supported the Growth and Prosperity Plan.

DECISION:

1)    That the Growth and Prosperity Plan at Appendix A be approved and supported, and that the Plan be adopted subject to any final consultation feedback as agreed with the relevant portfolio holders; and

2)    That the Growth and Prosperity Plan becomes a line of inquiry in the Partnership’s Annual Scrutiny, complementing the sub-regional strategy process.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing.  It has already been agreed by Councillors, through the priorities of the sub-regional strategy, that a Growth and Prosperity Plan should be developed.  Therefore, this option was not recommended.

Reasons for decision:

·       The Growth and Prosperity Plan will reflect the vision and priorities of the 24/25 – 28/29 Sub-Regional Strategy and align strategic priorities across the Councils to further support the benefits of collaborative working. A single Growth and Prosperity Plan for the Partnership will demonstrate to external partners our alignment and collective focus on a prosperous, productive and creative economy. This will be particularly helpful when engaging with partners and businesses, Government and funders, and leveraging further investment into the sub-region.)