Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

The Chairman asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to speak to Members in relation to the Council Plan 2016-2019 - Refresh of the Work Programme for the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that the report was the first opportunity for Members to comment in the usual annual process of setting the work programme for the Committee, in the context of the “Altogether Wealthier” priority theme as set out in the Council Plan 2016-2019.

Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Committee would consider a draft work programme based upon the comments from Members brought forward at the meeting today.  Councillors noted the “Altogether Wealthier” section of the Council Plan was attached at Appendix 2 to the report in the agenda pack.

The Committee noted that the work undertaken by the Committee over the last year was set out within the report at paragraph 10 and it was for Members to suggest topics for further investigation, taking on board issues raised from performance reporting, upcoming legislation and issues discussed at the Committee. 

The Vice-Chairman thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and noted that any comments or suggestions for potential topics for future reviews could be forwarded to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer for inclusion in the report to be considered at the June meeting. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that Councillor D Hall highlighted the issue of supporting the coastal economy.  Councillors J Armstrong and P Stradling noted that with elections in 2017, and the need to take this into account when looking at areas for review.  The Vice-Chairman noted there was a lot of review work as set out in the report.  Councillor J Clare noted that he felt that support for small retail as a review topic may be appropriate as small retailers were a big issue for the County Durham economy.  Councillor J Armstrong noted the previous comments in relation to coastal issues and suggested depending upon the scope this could be an issue for the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Councillor D Hall noted it was tricky to see where the different coastal issues would sit in terms of which Committee, however, he felt that there was potential for these issues to be developed, building upon the successes at Seaham and highlighting the investment of other Local Authorities along the North East coastline.  The Vice-Chairman noted that this would be an issue for Members to track, noting EU Funding in this regard.  Councillor D Hall noted the small amount of LEADER funding, however, thought more in terms of a “masterplan” for our coastal areas, building upon the successes at Seaham to encourage more visitors and to create more jobs.  Councillors J Armstrong and P Stradling noted that there were Officers within RED, including the Durham Heritage Coast Officer, N Benson who could be contacted in this regard. 

Resolved:

(i)              That the information set out in the Council Plan 2016-2019 Altogether Wealthier

          theme set out at Appendix 2 be noted.

(ii)            That the Committee refresh the Work Programme considering the actions identified

under the Altogether Wealthier theme and reflected in paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of

the report.

(iii)          That the Committee consider a further report detailing the Work Programme 2016-

2017 at its meeting 28 June 2016.