Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

(a)    That the principle of establishing a new “economic growth-board” to provide business representation into the democratic decision-making process, be approved.

Approval for the governance and membership of this group would be subject to a separate decision.

(b)    That the formal withdrawal of Dorset Council from the Dorset LEP CIC on or before 31 March 2025 be approved.

(c)    That the broad approach to the development of the Economic Growth Strategy be approved.

(d)    That the key issues impacting the Dorset economy be noted.

Reasons for the decision

To develop a strategy and to implement it successfully, the council would step into the space vacated by the LEP and build a new set of strategic relationships with the business community that enables them to feed into the decision decision-making process. The Strategy would set out how the council would proactively engage at a strategic level with the various town Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Districts to ensure locality needs are captured.

The Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth presented a report asking members to consider and agree an approach to produce

a new Economic Growth Strategy including the approach to consultation with the business community and key stakeholders.

The aim of the strategy would be to set out how Dorset should tackle its economic challenges, respond to the national political drive for growth, and use its strengths and assets to deliver meaningful and long-lasting change. Members discussed the opportunities to make gains to the local and national economy which would be taken forward as part of developing the strategy.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

(a)    That the principle of establishing a new “economic growth-board” to provide business representation into the democratic decision-making process, be approved.

Approval for the governance and membership of this group would be subject to a separate decision.

(b)    That the formal withdrawal of Dorset Council from the Dorset LEP CIC on or before 31 March 2025 be approved.

(c)    That the broad approach to the development of the Economic Growth Strategy be approved.

(d)    That the key issues impacting the Dorset economy be noted.

Reasons for the decision

To develop a strategy and to implement it successfully, the council would step into the space vacated by the LEP and build a new set of strategic relationships with the business community that enables them to feed into the decision-making process. The Strategy would set out how the council would proactively engage at a strategic level with the various town Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Districts to ensure locality needs were captured.