Agenda item

The Executive Councillor for Economy and Place made the following announcements:-

·    International Trade

He stated that he would be hosting a business event for numerous businesses and politicians from Hunan, China. A wide variety of topics would be discussed including investment opportunities in Lincolnshire. A very senior visit was being planned for Hunan province officials in October 2018.

·    Investment

He referred to the continued good work taking place with Greater Lincolnshire Partnership Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) in promoting Lincolnshire for UK based developers and had attended a very successful "Lincolnshire in London" event in which Lincolnshire developers had brought their potential clients to the event. A number of contracts had been agreed.

A successful Team Lincolnshire brunch was arranged at the annual MIPIM in France which was funded by GLLEP and private businesses with 165 developers in attendance.

·    Skills and Utilities

He had been informed that employers had stated that their two main challenges were skill shortages and lack of utility infrastructure.

The Council continued to lobby for improved utilities and both he and Executive Support Councillor Mark Storer had explored opportunities around Smart grids, electric vehicle charging points and had been impressed by a development at Hemswell Cliff where an anaerobic digester was producing energy for local businesses.

The skills deficit was being addressed from the Council's Skills Support to the Workforce programme and a Careers Learning scheme funded by the Government would be launched to help people gain training, Lincolnshire was just one of a few areas in the country to benefit. He stated that the shortage of HGV drivers was going to be an issue in the near future.

·    Business Infrastructure

The provision of business premises continued to be a priority for the Council and the current rate of occupancy was 90% which provided an income and allowed headroom for flexibility for economic development or shocks. He had taken decisions to deliver the Holbeach Food Enterprise Zone and the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point adding that the latter was magnificent and would help to extend tourism.

·    Tourism

The publicity in connection with the various celebrations in the county associated with the 100^th Anniversary of the RAF and the Mayflower 400 were attracting tourists.

He was concerned about the effects on retail due to the increased use of the internet and stated that there was a need for the Committee to examine the future role of High Streets.

Comments by the Committee and the responses of officers included:-

·         Where were the Chinese visitors staying? The Executive Councillor                 stated that they would be staying in the City of Lincoln.

·         The Executive Councillor stated that he had visited the newly opened Bomber Command Centre and agreed that it was excellent and would attract tourists. He thanked the late Lord Lieutenant, Tony Worth, for his involvement in starting the project.

·         Lincoln Castle was an excellent tourist attraction.

·         Concern was expressed about car parking charges in Lincoln deterring tourists and shoppers. The Executive Councillor stated that there was an opportunity for smaller shops to convert to collection points for retail customers. The Council was examining a reduction in the Business Rates to help retail shops. He welcomed the Park and Ride service at Waitrose, Lincoln.

·         The Committee agreed to consider the opportunities for converting empty retail premises into residential accommodation at a future meeting. The Executive Councillor stated that there was a problem with absentee landlords and to consider how town centres were managed in the long term.

·         The Executive Councillor agreed with the comment that the visitor experience was becoming more important for people visiting town centres.