Agenda item

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 there is a need to look at how to attract particular types of businesses and how support businesses to expand

·       Statistics around how Buxton compares to other places in terms of diversity were requested – some employers look for diversity

·       Importance of access to micro clusters and creative activities in terms of boosting mental health

·       Reform to the planning process to enable more affordable housing to be built in rural areas

·       Business support grants – there is a fund through the UKSPF around the supporting skills agenda to support people at different levels – work is required to examine challenges and understand the breakdown of where jobs are

·       Impact on education – this is a county function which can be influenced – need to understand the business opportunities for growth and expansion in the future and opportunities around re-training

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be welcomed, and the matters raised be taken into consideration as part of the review of the Growth Strategy.