Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Economic Development & Transformation introduced the report and confirmed that a great deal of work and evidence gathering had gone into the draft Economic Development Strategy.  There would be a Delivery Plan underneath the Strategy which would help to monitor its progress.  She said the comments from the Scrutiny Committee would be taken on board and unless there were any substantial changes, the final version would be presented to Council in February 2019.

In response to questions from Members, the Lead Specialist – Economy advised:-

·         During the consultation period, officers would be working on the delivery plan and speaking to finance officers to ensure delivery of the Strategy would commence during 2019.

·         The organisations named in the report had already been consulted on the draft Strategy and they would be asked for their input again.

Councillor Singleton noted that the market town of Crewkerne was not mentioned in the Strategy and she had been assured it would appear in the final document.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to confirm the draft Economic Development Strategy 2019 - 2028 for public consultation.