Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Development – presented by the Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director, Regeneration and Economic Development which provided members with an update on the regeneration statement (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Mr A Palmer, Head of Strategy, Programmes and Performance was in attendance to present the report and advised Members that the first County Durham Regeneration Statement was developed in 2009 and was refreshed in 2012, which was available on the Durham County Council website. The document was not an action plan but set out the overall approach to regeneration and was important for funding applications.

Members were informed that there had been significant changes over the last three years in the operating environment. Regional priorities were now set out within the North East Strategic Economic Plan. Discussions had taken place with partners, details of the comments back had been set out in the report.

An outline statement would be discussed with the County Durham Economic Partnership Board in February 2016, then scrutiny and cabinet.

Councillor Nicholson indicated that he welcomed the change in emphasis with the consideration of A19 corridor.

Councillor Davinson sought clarification as to the meeting of the whole town approach mentioned within the report. The officer responded that the whole town approach refers to the co-ordination of investment and regeneration via a series of masterplans produced for the key towns in the county.

Resolved: (i) That the progress of the Regeneration Statement be noted.

(ii) That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive at a future meeting of the committee a further update on the refresh of the Regeneration Statement.