Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman asked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to present the report relating to the Scrutiny Review of Support provided by DCC to the Retail Sector in County Durham (for copy see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted the report set out the national, regional and local context in terms of strategies, policies and statistics.  She added that the current support provided by DCC and partners such as local Enterprise Agencies, Durham BID, AAPs, North East Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.  Members were referred to the draft terms of reference as set out at pages 46-48 and asked to note in respect of engagement the review group would receive information from key partners and also from letting agents.  It was added that visits would be undertaken to provide an opportunity for Members to engage with local retailers. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that the Membership would consist of around 10 Members, including the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, along with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as ex-officio members.  Members were asked to express their interest with the Overview and Scrutiny Officer.

The Chairman thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and noted that topics evolve and that other issues may also need to be considered by the Committee and therefore the project plan may be subject to some changes as required.  The Chairman asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor E Adam noted he felt the terms of reference were ok, however, asked as regards outcomes, impact and delivery in terms of helping retail to tackle issue they have.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that the review group would be led by key findings, which would then be used to lead to a set of outcomes. 

Councillor R Crute noted that he suspected that a number of issues will emerge that will be outside of the Council’s control, however, it would be important to look to identify gaps and where the Council and partners could provide influence and support.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Stephen Gwillym noted that one anticipated outcome would be to raise awareness amongst Councillors in terms of the mechanisms of support available to the retail sector, to then be able to identify gaps and look to help in those areas.

Councillor J Clare noted he welcomed the review group, having been an issue he had noted for 3 years.  He added that he thought the framework for the review was very good, and that it was important to raise awareness of what was being offered and to shout louder about good work and any areas that needed changes or where gaps were identified.  Councillor J Clare noted that this would need to be within the resources that were available and that there was no “magic wand” and therefore it would be important to manage expectations, while still trying to find any funding sources to try and plug any gaps.

Councillor L Maddison asked if the review group would be looking at the issues that lead people to move out of the retail sector.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that one of the first sessions would have an Officer from Spatial Planning to help give a picture in terms of retail, how it was changing and the causes.

Councillor R Ormerod noted he also welcomed this review group and asked how Members would seek to be considered for the group.  The Chairman asked Members to consider the commitment as set out in the project plan and to then speak to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer if they wished to be part of the review group.

Resolved:       

That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee agree the Terms of Reference and Project Plan as set out in the report.