Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosures made

None

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2024 be approved, subject to the amendment of minute 24/38, “Tourism Strategy Implementation”, to record concerns regarding low pay in the tourism industry.

Members were reminded that a Scrutiny Workshop would be held on 21 March which would provide an opportunity for members to consider items for the future work programme, all of which would be subject to the PAPER analysis. 

It was requested that Committee Chairs discuss the start time for meetings with a view to the start times being synchronised to have one set time. 

RESOLVED:

That the start time for meetings be referred to the Select Committee Programming Group.

The Head of Regeneration made a presentation to the Committee around the Growth Strategy.  It was noted that a review of the Growth Plan was a priority within the High Peak Borough Plan.

The national and international context for the development of the strategy was set out, which included changes to the global and national economic context, the outcome of the 2021 census in terms of changes to the population and  economic activity and the business landscape, including county and national comparisons. 

Members were asked to consider what themes should be included or considered as part of a Growth Strategy and information was provided around what is a growth strategy, facts and actions to support thriving businesses, people and places together with key priorities for the Growth Strategy.

The following matters were discussed:

·       Figures for the number of residents commuting out of the High Peak to the Sheffield area were requested to give a complete picture

·       Knowledge economy – this does include the University of Derby which is already based in the area, but there is a need to look at whether specific businesses or other providers have expanded.  It was commented that the University of Derby were withdrawing from the area which needed to be examined.  This area also included technological and scientific innovation as well as media, which is important in terms of links to Greater Manchester.

·       Tourism and comparison to similar areas – work was on-going to identify other areas with a similar degree of rurality to benchmark with, and given the tourism issues in the area, comparisons could also be made with more coastal areas.  Work would be undertaken with the LGA to identify suitable areas for comparison. Concerns were expressed regarding the push on tourism and that the area is developing characteristics of areas that depend of tourism (low wages, outward migration) so need to compare with similar tourism economies and look at impacts.

·       Relationship between lower salaries in High Peak and proportion of tourism jobs – statistics will exist around what different sectors the main jobs are in but sectors like hospitality and tourism are generally low paid and zero hours contracts which will have an impact on employment

·       Lack of employment land for building so businesses have to move out of the area which impacts on jobs available locally.  The contrary view was also expressed in that there needs to be a balance between employment land and retaining the attractiveness of an area.  The lack of infrastructure (roads, broadband) could also be a disincentive for businesses.

·       Differences in age range in towns within the borough rather than boroughwide figures? Locality data does exist which can be examined in more detail.

·       Link between areas with population growth (Dinting and Chinley) and access to rail stations.  Public transport throughout High Peak needs to be improved to enable young people to access education and jobs

·       Importance of specific industries in the area to provide well paid jobs.  There is a correlation between productivity and salaries and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/47

None

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A fo the Local Government Act 1972

The Committee received an update around the Revitalsing Buxton project.