Agenda item

To approve the content of 'An Economy that Works for All: Gwynedd 2035' as set out in Appendix 1.

It was agreed to recommend the adoption of a 'Working Economy for All': Gwynedd 2035' to the full council of Cyngor Gwynedd.

The Head of Economy and Community was authorised to complete any minor adjustments necessary and agree the design of the Strategy in consultation with the Cabinet Member.

It was agreed to establish a 'Gwynedd Economy Forum' on the basis outlined in sections 4.19 to 4.24 of the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr R. Medwyn Hughes.

DECISION

To approve the content of 'An Economy that Works for All: Gwynedd 2035' as

set out in Appendix 1.

It was agreed to recommend the adoption of a 'Working Economy for All': Gwynedd 2035' to the full council of Cyngor Gwynedd.

The Head of Economy and Community was authorised to complete any minor adjustments necessary and agree the design of the Strategy in consultation with the Cabinet Member.

It was agreed to establish a 'Gwynedd Economy Forum' on the basis outlined in sections 4.19 to 4.24 of the report.

DISCUSSION

Reference was made to Section 4 of the Cyngor Gwynedd Constitution which notes that the economic development strategy was a part of the Policy Framework, and that it was required for the Full Council to approve it by means of a Cabinet recommendation. It was emphasised that the Strategy had also been pre-scrutinised.

It was mentioned that the Strategy's form followed a logical order to guide the reader from the case for action, to the priorities and then onwards to the implementation method and measure success.

A report was provided on the Strategy's vision, and reference was made to the themes within the Strategy, namely Enterprise, People and Place.

The Chair of the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee was welcomed to the meeting to present the committee's recommendations to the Cabinet. He noted that the committee welcomed the work of seeking to set a long-term strategic direction for Gwynedd, at a challenging economic time. The Committee expressed concern regarding the increasing uncertainty in terms of grants, and the potential implications of that to the deprived rural areas of the County. It was noted that Committee members were eager to see a greater emphasis on economic development in the west and south of the County, in order to ensure that opportunities and investment were distributed fairly across the geographical area. The Committee emphasised the importance of ensuring clear progress monitoring arrangements against the Strategy, including being able to show over time what jobs were created or safeguarded, and the impact of the investment on the communities of Gwynedd.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       It was noted that several local businesses in Gwynedd employed fewer than 10 people, and enquiries were made about the support offered to those businesses. In response, it was confirmed that the vast majority of recent support package grants had gone to small businesses. Reference was made to the uncertainty in terms of the future of support packages, however, assurances were expressed that should there be an opportunity to bring a support package forward under this Strategy, it would be tailored to try to support businesses and small enterprises who employ across the County.

·       Pride was expressed in the Strategy, and they eagerly awaited seeing it developing.

·       It was noted that an evaluation and monitoring framework, which corresponded with the Strategy, had been developed. It was highlighted that this offered a series of results and outcomes that needed to be achieved through the projects, which would offer a means to measure what proposals actually made a difference. In addition, reference was made to the Gwynedd Economy Forum which would assist with steering and delivering the Strategy.