The Director of Place addressed Members explaining the two reports presented to the Committee were interrelated. The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on the world economy and Thurrock has seen the affects like everywhere else. 

Members heard there was a need to refresh the economy strategy and encourage economic growth and the benefits for Thurrock of this would assist with the period of recovery from the pandemic and then facilitate a return to economic growth. Sitting alongside this report was an update of the Local Plan , this was equally important for the recovery and growth of the economy within Thurrock and therefore both reports were working together with partners and moving Thurrock forward.

The Economic Development Manager presented the report which forms the first part of the Backing Thurrock strategy.  The first part of the strategy recognised the underlying strengths in the Thurrock economy and the devastating economic impact that the COVID pandemic has had in Thurrock.  The strategy suggested a pro-active approach where the Council facilitates and uses the levers it has to support a market led recovery.

He continued that the report proposed a number of immediate actions that were currently being delivered or could be implemented within the next six months to support the response.

The Committee were advised that in the medium and longer term the strategy was required to continue to support the recovery period but also take advantage of the opportunities arising from underlying changes in the economy.  It was explained that stakeholders in Thurrock had a proud tradition of working together and the strategy proposed a framework within which businesses and other stakeholders would be invited to work with the Council to develop an Implementation Plan for the medium and longer term. 

The Chair of the Committee thanked the Economic Development Manager for his report and welcomed the refresh he then went on to seek whether the recovery document could be linked with other local authorities. It was explained there was a link with other local authorities within south Essex and the officers were attending weekly meetings and working together.

Members referred Officers to the report, which highlighted certain areas of concern before COVID-19, for example an increase in claimant count. Officers confirmed that addressing the rise in claimant count was a focus of the strategy.  For example the development of the Thurrock opportunity website which would be used to promoted local jobs for local people; with the aim that this would help to reduce the claimant count within the borough. Councillor Allen Chair of the Committee agreed with Members comments that local people should have local jobs and therefore the local economy could grow from this.

Councillor Anderson enquired as to whether small businesses would be given support during the consultation and asked for this assurance to be given. The Economic Development Manager explained that small businesses would be consulted on the strategy and given the opportunity to contribute to the strategy and implementation plan. Councillor Anderson asked the Officers remember not all residents were online so any consultations would have to be well though especially in the current climate.

Councillor Van Day welcomed the report and commented that skills were important, he asked  if there was something the Council could do, such as joint with the colleges to offer apprenticeships which would see local people being employed at the end of such schemes. Officers informed Members that unfortunately the Local Authority and local providers like the College have limited flexibility and powers in relation to skills work.  Similarly the Local Authority cannot influence who local employers recruit however the Council was working with colleges and other education providers to help support local people for local jobs.

Councillor Gerrish thanked the Economic Development Manager for his report saying it was a welcome document and pleasing to see the support being offered. He stated that the consultation should be wide across the borough and all business sectors, so that Officers were aware of the key challenges and support local businesses faced and needed.

RESOLVED:

Planning, Transport, Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·         Note and comment on the report and strategy

·         Note and comment on the proposals to co-design the related Implementation Plan with anchor institutions, key businesses, voluntary and community sector and other stakeholders and to return to Planning, Transport, Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet with a further report seeking approval of that Implementation Plan.