Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 21 February 2019.

The minutes of the meeting 21 February 2019 were confirmed and signed.

For Cabinet to consider the Economic Development Review Report which resulted from the recent Member led review and has been subsequently endorsed by the wider Overview and Scrutiny Panel during their meeting on 18 March 2019.

Members considered the Economic Development Review report presented by Councillor Oliver which resulted from the recent Member led review and has been subsequently endorsed by the wider Overview and Scrutiny Panel during their meeting on 18 March 2019.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

·       Councillor Hay said that although she felt there were more statements than recommendations in the report, she was pleased to see that consideration is being given to business partnering via account manager.

·       Councillor Oliver agreed, stating that the meetings were interesting and with stakeholders coming from other areas, it was realised that those particular councils were using good practice. The review highlights that an account manager would be a good idea for Fenland. There would also be the chance to build an economic growth delivery team around that person. However, this will be something for the new council to decide and take forward.

·       Councillor Hay commented that, sometime in the future, she would expect Cabinet to receive an update on progress made against some of the recommendations.

·       Councillor Murphy asked if there was a timescale to deliver the recommendations. The Chief Executive advised that there is no specific timescale but officers are working behind the scenes on proposals. Thought is already being given to what the economic growth delivery team may look like and work is being undertaken on a commercial investment strategy.

Cabinet considered and approved the Economic Development Review recommendations outlined in the 18 bullet points of the covering report.  The review recommendations will be reflected in the future Investment Strategy and Business Plan accordingly. 

For information purposes.

Councillor Oliver presented the Cabinet Forward Plan for information.

To consider a developer agreement in Chatteris.

Members considered a developer agreement in Chatteris, the confidential report being presented by Councillor Oliver.

Cabinet considered and agreed the report recommendations.

(Members resolved to exclude the public from the meeting for this item of business on the grounds that the report involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 of the Local Government Act 1972).