To consider a report on the above.

The Board considered the draft Torbay Economic Strategy which was due to be considered by the Council at its meeting on 19 October 2017.  The Strategy provided a five year plan for growing Torbay’s economy with an action plan focussing on sustainable productive growth.

Resolved:  that the following views of the Board be forwarded to the Council:

The Board recognises the importance of achieving the objectives set out in the Economic Strategy in meeting the ambition of the Corporate Plan to support and improve the economy in Torbay.  As such the Board supports the broad direction and the objectives of the proposed Strategy.

The Board has heard that, whilst there is currently adequate economic development funding available to pump-prime the strategy, overall delivery will be reliant upon many other funding streams.  It is imperative, therefore, that economic development resources continue to be available and the Board will take this into account in considering the Mayor’s budget proposals for 2018/19 and future years.

To consider a report on the above.

The Mayor presented the submitted report which set out a revised Economic Strategy that would support Torbay to build on its strengths to deliver economic growth, tackle inequality and create change in the area that benefits residents.  The Mayor explained the four objectives which would assist Torbay in achieving its vision. 

It was noted that the current Economic Strategy was due to expire and that certain factors, such as Brexit and the recent government election, meant that the existing strategy required reviewing and updating.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Mayor on the Torbay Economic Strategy 2017-2022:

That subject to the wording set out below being included on Page 6 of the Strategy, the Council be recommended to approve the Torbay Economic Strategy 2017-2022, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, noting that the Policy Framework element of the Strategy starts at Page 10.

‘Working with the ‘Heart of the South West’ Local Enterprise Partnership to build our relationship with Government.’

The Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above at the meeting and his decision is attached to these minutes.

The Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing presented the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021 as set out in the submitted report.  The Executive Lead advised that the overall objectives of the Destination Management Plan were to deliver a series of agreed actions in partnership with local stakeholders to strengthen and develop the English Riviera’s tourism offer. 

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) made the following recommendation to the Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours on the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021:

That the Council be recommended that the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021 Pride in Place, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted as a sub-strategy of the Torbay Economic Strategy.

The Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) set out above and her decision is attached to these minutes.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the English Riviera Destination Management Plan 2017-2021, the Mayor declared his pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting room.)

The Board to agree its response to the Mayor’s consultation on his draft Torbay Economic Strategy.

The Board considered a draft report which had been prepared following a meeting of a Task-and-Finish Group to consider the draft Economic Strategy issued by the Mayor.

Resolved:  that the Report be approved and forwarded to the Mayor in response to his consultation on the draft Economic Strategy.

The Executive Head – Business Services to present the draft English Riviera Destination Management Plan.

The Executive Lead for Tourism to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to consider making any recommendation to the Executive Lead on the draft Plan as part of the consultation on this Policy Framework document, taking account of the views of the Tourism Task-and-Finish Group.

The Board considered the proposed English Riviera Destination Management Plan which would become the Council’s Tourism Strategy (which formed part of the Council’s Policy Framework).  A task-and-finish group had previously discussed the Plan with the Executive Lead and Executive Head.

Resolved:  that the following comments be forwarded to the Executive Lead as part of the consultation on the English Riviera Destination Management Plan:

1.         The Plan should make it clear that it is a completely separate piece of work from that being undertaken by the English Riviera Business Improvement District Company (ERBIDCo).

2.         However, whilst the Plan explains how it fits within the Council’s Policy Framework and with the overarching policies of  Devon County Council and the Local Enterprise Partners, the Plan should also be clear on how it fits with the plans and strategies of the Council’s private sector partners, in particular the ERBIDCo.

3.         The action plan should include the timescales for implementation, the outcomes to be achieved and the resource requirements prior to it being presented to the Council for approval.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the item in Minute 58, the Mayor declared a pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting.)