Agenda item

Councillor Donachie, Cabinet Member for Economy and Place, was in attendance and presented to the Committee a report summarising progress and performance in respect of each of the following service areas within his portfolio of responsibility:

·       Set the strategic vision to allow the economy to prosper.

·       Provide the political leadership for business growth in all areas including town centre, investment, R&D and tourism.

·       Ensure Swindon has the ability to be part of the next generation of Digital & Smart Cities.

·       Ensure that the Council's agreed priorities within the portfolio are delivered.

In overseeing these areas, the Cabinet Member for Economy and Place is responsible for delivering the following Priorities and Pledges of Swindon’s Vision:

• 1. Set the ambition for Swindon to compete to at the forefront of digital innovation with a commitment to using technology for positive change.
• 2. Enhance Swindon’s reputation as a sustainable energy exemplar, by exploring technology that converts energy from waste, facilitating the move to electrified transport, and delivering opportunities to invest in renewable energy to reduce carbon footprint. 
• 3. Refresh and implement the Masterplan for Swindon Town Centre, supporting our vision that Swindon is a vibrant, modern place. We will do this through  “g) Working with ambassadors and partners to promote Swindon effectively to improve the town’s reputation, increase income from business rates and compete for the best business growth opportunities, inward investment and talent.”
• 4. Support businesses by working in partnership to create conditions in which businesses succeed and grow.
• 16. Deliver a programme of work to ensure that residents, visitors and businesses feel that Swindon is a safe place to live, work, visit and do business.

The Committee noted that the Cabinet Member for Economy and Place has delegated responsibility for:

• Representing the Council on the Local Enterprise Partnership.

·       Strategic Asset Management of employment / business land.

• Country Parks (securing sustainable uses) – excluding Lydiard.
• Enforcement and Regulatory Services.
• Envirocrime.
• Renewable energy.
• To lead on the implementation of PSPOs, in collaboration with Cabinet colleagues.
• Tourism.
• Client for PPS.

Councillors Donachie and Renard, with assistance from the Corporate Director for Communities and Housing, the Head of Strategic Growth, and the Inward Investment Officer, responded to questions put by Councillors Allsopp, Courtliff, Faramarzi, Mattock, Moffatt and the Chair on the following matters:

·       Enforcement of the Town Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in conjunction with the Police, and forthcoming changes to the way in which envirocrime, enforcement and regulatory programmes operate.

·       Raising awareness of and changing attitudes towards the PSPO using signs erected in the town centre and other deterrents such as floor demarcation.

·       How the Town Centre Enforcement and Behaviour Change Initiative, going live on 1^st October 2019, will be monitored, reported on and maintained. 

·       The use of body cameras and other equipment to stop speeding cyclists in the town centre. The Committee noted that around 80% of people challenged will comply and dismount, with a specialist response required for the other 20% involving police co-ordination. 

·       The enhanced enforcement of parking deterrents having led to a doubling of tickets issued, with this number expecting to decrease as behaviour is changed. 

·       Proposals for the Institute of Technology going forward, including when it is expected to be built. 

·       How the Council is helping the current occupants at the Carriage Works to grow and occupy larger spaces within the complex.

·       That a business case for funding the M4 underpass has been submitted, and a response is expected shortly.

·       The favourable economy of scale that membership of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) attracts.

·       The expected opportunities and benefits from producing a Local Industrial Strategy for Swindon and Wiltshire.

·       Development plans for the Cultural Quarter in Swindon using local growth funding from the LEP.

·       The opportunities available to help improve the broadband speeds in Swindon, and the Fast and Ultrafast vouchers that members of the public can apply for.

·       The development plans for the Kimmersfield site.

·       The proposed activities aimed at attracting ‘digitech’ employees to Swindon through the Switch on to Swindon project.

Resolved – (1) That Councillor Donachie be thanked for attending the meeting to present his performance report, and for his full and open responses to members’ questions and observations on the issues raised.

(2) That the thanks and ongoing support of the Committee be recorded for the ambassadors and businesses involved in Switch on to Swindon.