Issue - meetings

Planning and Economic Development Portfolio

To consider report PES/385 of the Head of Economy and Planning, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 8 March 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves, to go out to public consultation for a period of six weeks, the draft Crawley Economic Recovery Plan (Appendix A to report PES/385) subject to the following amendments shown in bold below, being included in the Recovery Plan in order to emphasise findings from the Local Plan Review:

•          Add to slide 3 – Crawley’s “One Town” Vision for 2050 the following bullet point: ‘new sites to provide for all Crawley’s employment growth sectors and help boost jobs for residents”

•          Add to slide 6 – Plan to Restore Economic Success Post COVID-19, under “Structural Challenges”: ‘Limited overall available employment land supply”

Reasons for the Recommendations

Cabinet approval is sought to go out to public consultation in order to seek feedback and input to help develop the draft Plan and to secure broad support for the proposals.

Crawley’s Local Plan Review process has included a thorough Economic Growth Assessment and an Employment Land Availability Assessment to ensure the Borough’s projected economic growth can be accommodated and this reveals that Crawley has a forecast employment land deficit over the period to 2037 and that as a result additional employment land allocations will be required.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development presented report PES/385of the Head of Economy and Planning. The report sought approval on the Council’s draft Economic Development Recovery Plan (Plan) and for agreement to go out for public consultation. Councillor P Smith emphasis the purpose of the Plan was to show the clear direction of the Council in supporting the Town’s recovery from the significant impact of Covid on the economy. By going out to consult on the draft Plan, it shows our partners, key stakeholders and business, what our thought were on the recovery to ensure ours align with theirs. As it was a draft, following feedback from the consultation, the Plan can then be adapted to ensure it was working for the best interest of all in the recovery of the Borough and its future. A further benefit of having a clear deliverable approach, endorsed by our partners, should allow the Council to access various pots of funding, such as the Town’s Fund which was later the agenda, to ensure our aspirations were achieved.

Councillor P Smith then highlighted to the Cabinet that there had a been a proposed amendment to the draft Plan, to add in two futher bullet points and a slight revision to the recommendation. The rationale behind the changes were to strengthen the Plan by aligning in closer to the Council’s Local Plan.

Councillor T Belben presented the O­verview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report OSC/294 to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 8 March 2021, which were in support of the draft Plan but requested that the final version of the Plan return to the Commission before its ratification.

Councillor Crow was invited to speak on the item

Councillors Irvine and Jhans also spoke as part of the discussion on the report. 

Councillor Lamb moved the report included the proposed changes which was seconded by Councillor P Smith.

A recorded vote was taken on the amended recommendation in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules.  The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins, B Smith and P Smith (6)

Against the recommendations:

None. (0)

Abstentions:

None. (0)

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves, to go out to public consultation for a period of six weeks, the draft Crawley Economic Recovery Plan (Appendix A to report PES/385) subject to the following amendments shown in bold below, being included to Recovery Plan in order to emphasise findings from the Local Plan review:

•         Add to slide 3 – Crawley’s “One Town” Vision for 2050 the following bullet point: ‘new sites to provide for all Crawley’s employment growth sectors and help boost jobs for residents”

•         Add to slide 6 – Plan to Restore Economic Success Post COVID-19, under “Structural Challenges”: ‘Limited overall available employment land supply”

Reasons for the Recommendations

Cabinet approval is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To consider report PES/385 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

The Commission considered report PES/385 of the Head of Economy and Planning.  The report sought approval on the Council’s draft Economic Development recovery plan and for agreement to go out for public consultation.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development and the Head of Economy and Planning, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Acknowledgement that there were amendments to slides 3 and 6 of Appendix A, along with proposed additional recommendations to be considered by Cabinet on 10 March 2021.

·         Confirmation that the report would offer a joined up approach and aimed for one holistic plan bringing in small organisations.  The changes proposed would assist in the Local Plan consultation.

·         It was noted that the plan highlighted the council’s position in leading the drive for economic recovery, working with an array of partners.

·         Some of the flagship interventions were already being brought forward or delivered, either through the Crawley Growth Programme or Crawley Town Investment Plan.

·         Clarity sought and obtained on ‘green infrastructure’; which revolved around strategic, environmentally-aware activity. It was observed that the plan would assist in offering green solutions to issues, including verges and improve air quality.

·         General support for the report and plan as it was innovative, ambitious and yet the aims were realistic. It was felt there was a need to raise expectations, together with promotion for strengthening the local workforce skills and this featured in the Crawley Employment and Skills Programme.  Skills for the Future aimed to improve overall social mobility amongst Crawley residents and retain people within the area.

·         Recognition that there were different types of recovery; traditional in terms of aviation and Manor Royal, together with the novel recovery featuring digital enterprise and green infrastructure. 

·         Acknowledgement that the plan provided a long term strategic overview as timescales featured within the plan extended to 2050, which coincided with the climate change emissions target.  However it was acknowledged that measures, deliverables and targets should be included between 2021 and 2050, which ultimately would move beyond this recovery.

·         Clarification provided that the economy grew by £5.9b GVA (gross value added) per annum, which equated to the total value of economic output in Crawley in 2018.

·         With reference to the ‘Limited overall available employment land supply’ it was noted that there were currently vacant sites within the borough due to the existing recession (particularly Manor Royal as a consequence of Covid19). However the Local Plan forecasts the overall need for employment land until 2037 to enable Crawley’s long term economic recovery and growth.  There was a significant land deficit within the town, which needed highlighting.

·         It was felt that the final version of the plan should return to OSC following the consultation period.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report, including the documented changes to Appendix A, and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.