Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet note the update on the work undertaken to address the challenges and opportunities set out within Surrey County Council’s Economic Strategy Statement to 2030: Surrey’s Economic Future.

2.    That Cabinet acknowledges the role and contribution of the One Surrey Growth Board to the development of the economic growth future work programme set out

3.    That Cabinet agrees the forward programme of work to deliver Surrey’s Economic Future, as detailed in Annex 1.

4.    Cabinet notes that a further update will be presented to Cabinet in Spring 2022.

Reasons for Decisions:

The work programme to deliver on Surrey’s Future Economy Strategy is at an early stage of development and needs to remain agile to take advantage of current opportunities as well as responding to the challenges which are limiting the productivity and growth of the Surrey economy. Updates are presented to Cabinet to ensure the work programme remains aligned to the Council’s priorities and responsive to the needs of residents and businesses.

Since the last update to Cabinet in April 2021, the programme of work has been significantly refined and expanded to incorporate detailed and deliverable projects. A further five projects have been identified for feasibility work to deliver on the objectives of the Strategy. Approval is sought from Cabinet to agree the updated work programme to reflect the addition of the five new projects detailed in section 21 of this report.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]

The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that report provides an update on the activities taken forward to deliver on the economic opportunities set out within the economic strategy and help address the economic challenges in Surrey following the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes an update on the work

to establish a core Inward Investment Programme, examples of developing local

economies and High Streets work and the implementation of a Digital

Infrastructure Programme. The council was redesigning and reinvigorating its inward investment service, including a refreshed online presence promoting the County as an attractive and highly competitive business destination. There was a big presence from the pharmaceutical industry with a major company looking to locate its HQ in Surrey. Work was being undertaken with district and boroughs to implement a community-led visioning and engagement process for the High Street. Surrey had seen a dramatic change in the labour market both through the pandemic and in the post EU context. Work was being undertaken to upskill people for the future. The Leader explained that there were around 200k residents that were digitally excluded. A targeted work programme had been established to tackle barriers to investment in digital infrastructure within Surrey.  

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet note the update on the work undertaken to address the challenges and opportunities set out within Surrey County Council’s Economic Strategy Statement to 2030: Surrey’s Economic Future.

2.    That Cabinet acknowledges the role and contribution of the One Surrey Growth Board to the development of the economic growth future work programme set out

3.    That Cabinet agrees the forward programme of work to deliver Surrey’s Economic Future, as detailed in Annex 1.

4.    Cabinet notes that a further update will be presented to Cabinet in Spring 2022.

Reasons for Decisions:

The work programme to deliver on Surrey’s Future Economy Strategy is at an early stage of development and needs to remain agile to take advantage of current opportunities as well as responding to the challenges which are limiting the productivity and growth of the Surrey economy. Updates are presented to Cabinet to ensure the work programme remains aligned to the Council’s priorities and responsive to the needs of residents and businesses.

Since the last update to Cabinet in April 2021, the programme of work has been significantly refined and expanded to incorporate detailed and deliverable projects. A further five projects have been identified for feasibility work to deliver on the objectives of the Strategy. Approval is sought from Cabinet to agree the updated work programme to reflect the addition of the five new projects detailed in section 21 of this report.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]