Agenda item

  Report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services -

  Project Development Team Leader, Regeneration and Local Services.

The Chairman introduced the Project Development Team Leader, Heather Orton who was in attendance to give an overview of the County Durham Investment Pipeline(for copy see file of minutes).

The Project Development Team Leader referred Members to the report within the agenda papers and highlighted that the Council’s Regeneration Statement and the North East Strategic Economic Plan set out the plan for economic growth and that there was a need to support opportunities for investment and funding.  It was explained that there was over £3 billion of investment planned for County Durham, and that Authority had a good track record in terms of funding, including the Local Growth Fund, National Productivity Investment Fund and the Housing Infrastructure Fund.  The Project Development Team Leader explained that having the investment pipeline in place helps to secure such funding.  It was noted that issues such as lower land values and skills development were identified and that the Authority would be proactive, either by leading, working in partnership or facilitating in order to remain responsive to opportunities.

The Project Development Team Leader noted several priority areas for investment, including: to enhance connectivity and business routes, such as the A19, A1(M), A167, the East Coast Mainline and Durham Coast Line; major projects, including Integra 61, Newton Aycliffe Business Park and Forrest Park, Horden Rail Station; Jade Business Park and a Durham City Relief Road; and to maximise the strength of our places, such as Durham City and our towns, also including major projects such as Aykley Heads, Millburngate House, NETPark and the Auckland Project and Kynren.

The Project Development Team Leader noted that the team would continue to work in terms of securing funding and would keep the Committee up to date in terms of strategies.

The Chairman thanked the Officer and asked Members for their comments and questions.

Councillor E Adam asked as regards any developments in relation to Transport for the North, as he noted a lot of North to South connectivity mentioned, however, nothing much in terms of East to West, such as the A68 and A69.  The Project Development Team Leader noted it had been noticed and mentioned as a major issue as part of the Transport for the North consultation and offered to share the link with Members following the conclusion of the meeting.

Councillor R Manchester asked as regards a location and direction in terms of a Durham City Relief Road.  The Project Development Team Leader noted a lot of work was ongoing with transport colleagues in terms of the CDP, with the work in terms of the funding sources being at an early stage, she noted connecting up the North and the West of the City.

The Project Development Team Leader concluded by offering to attend a future meeting of the committee to provide more detail in relation to individual major investment projects in the county.

Resolved:       

(i)            That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.

(ii)          That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee include in its 2018/19 work programme a report providing detail of individual major investment projects in the county.