Agenda item

To approve and adopt the final version of the Rotherham Economic Growth Plan, to agree it becoming a live document and commencing implementation of its actions and priorities.

Consideration was given to the report which provided the Council with the latest version of the Rotherham Economic Growth Plan and sought agreement for it to be adopted; becoming a live document and commencing implementation of its actions and priorities.

The Plan was built on a robust evidence base, clear strategy and challenging economic outcomes and mapped out the priorities, objectives and outcomes for the Borough, underpinned by a programme of investment in economic infrastructure and activities over the short, medium and long term. The Plan was a result of partnership working between the public, voluntary and private sectors.

The Plan covered a ten year timeframe (2105-25) and was broken down into a number of themes, matching closely with the Sheffield City Region’s (SCR) priorities to ensure close links between the Economic Growth Plan and the City Region’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). These themes were:-

•        Grow existing and develop new businesses;

•        Skills for employment and progression;

•        Inclusion, well-being and employment;

•        Employment land and business premises;

•        Housing;

•        Town centre; and

•        Transport.

The Plan set out the challenges and ambitions for each theme, along with high level interventions and targets/impacts/outcomes.

Councillors Jepson and C. Vines agreed with elements of the Plan, but were unable to offer to their support due to the absence of any contingency plans for at risk high profile local businesses and the loss of green belt land.

Councillor Hoddinott believed the Plan was timely, having listened to the recent Radio 4 Programme on Rotherham, as it was about how Rotherham could recover and was aspirational for the creation of employment.  There was a continuing trend away from traditional manufacturing to high-tech industries and a service based economy required a well-educated local workforce.

Local residents had contacted Councillor Fleming to express their concern about increased traffic congestion in the local area so he too was unable to offer his support to the Plan.

Councillor Currie expressed his fear for small businesses; especially local taxi firms if the plans by Uber to take over a number of regions went ahead.  The Plan was aspirational with creation of 750 additional jobs and homes, but this must still be supported from a Rotherham context whilst keeping an eye on the work of the Sheffield City Region.

Councillor Parker too believed the Plan to be aspirational, but also out of date given the recent events involving the sale of the Pithouse West Site.  He suggested there be better liaison with Robin Hood Airport to reduce the limitations on tour operators and for this to be expanded, but also expressed his concern about the possible loss of green belt land and for this reason could not offer his support to the Plan.

The Leader referred to the sad decline in the steel industry and the concerns around Tata Steel, which were beyond the control of the Council.  This Plan should bring other private sector jobs into Rotherham into buildings at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, which were state of the art.  The Plan was aspirational for the future of Rotherham, but this was owed to the people whom Councillors represented.  He responded to Councillor Parker’s comments about the sale of Pithouse West and suggested he also talk to Councillor Hoddinott, who was this Council’s representative on the Robin Hood Consultative Committee.

In response to the comments Councillor Lelliott urged Elected Members to support the Plan, which was affordable yet aspirational and achievable.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the final version of the Economic Growth Plan be approved.

(2)  That the Plan be monitored by the Business Growth Board (BGB) of the Local Strategic Partnership on a two-monthly basis, with an annualreport on performance taken through both Partnership and RMBC structures.

(3)  That a major review of the Plan be undertaken during the 2016/17 financial year, to take on board the vision and priorities coming out of Rotherham’s new Community Strategy.

Mover:-  Councillor Lelliott                         Seconder:-  Councillor Watson