Agenda item

Announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillors and Lead Officers

Minutes:

The Chairman paid tribute to Councillor A Bridges as the Chairman of the Economic Scrutiny Committee from 2013 to 2017 and the Environment and Economy Scrutiny from 2017 to 2018.

 

The Chairman stated that decisions made at the previous meeting of the Committee included letters from Councillor A Bridges sent to the following:-

 

·         The Rt Hon Michael Gove – Brexit Strategy and Implementation – driving business innovation, creating growth and enabling sustainable rural communities in a Green Future.

·         The Rt Hon James Brokenshire – Build Out Rate Concerns Within Housing in Lincolnshire and the importance of tackling the costs of utilities as part of housing and planning strategies.

 

Councillor C J Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place made the following announcements:-

 

·         Had attended the Belton Horse Trials and had taken the opportunity to meet investors of whom several were planning a commitment to Lincolnshire.

·         Had follow up meetings with some of the regional contacts he had met at MIPIM, a major international annual property show and he had put one investor in touch with a landowner and was hopeful this would lead to additional housing investments in the county.

·         Stated that economic opportunities continued to be encouraged with China. A Chinese delegation of business and economic leaders had visited Lincolnshire to explore specific investment opportunities. In the near future a future a further delegation would visit the University of Lincoln to pursue joint higher education opportunities. He hoped that there would be some good news to announce from the visits in the future.

·         Had met the Federation of Small Businesses and had launched an initiative for local authorities to support small businesses. The Council had encouraged small businesses to bid for council contracts.

·         Stated that the effects of changing shopping habits was having a serious impact on the High Street with more shoppers going on-line to purchase their shopping. He was attending the Local Government Association's (LGA) Environment, Economy, Transport and Housing Board and they would be examining the LGA's online toolkit for High Streets. He noted the Committee would examine this matter at their next meeting and encouraged Members to view the toolkit in advance of that meeting.

 

Executive Councillor C J Davie responded to comments by the Committee as follows:-

 

·         In view of the changes taking place on the High Street there was a need for more variety on the High Street with opportunities to allow visitors to experience different things, for example, art galleries, etc.

·         With regard to the issue of rents there were issues with absentee landlords in the retail sector.

·         Agreed with the comments made about the changing retail scene on the High Street. The presence of eating and drinking places had led to High Streets becoming more vibrant. The additional residential accommodation being provided on the High Street and the business opportunities for young entrepreneurs were welcomed.

·         In response to the closure of Banks he agreed that there was a need for the Government to take a stronger line with Banks following the support they had received during the financial crisis. He stated that the Government was moving to a cashless society but noted that many coastal resorts relied on cash for their survival.

·         Noted that some local authorities had invested in hotels and similar businesses.

·         Stated that the new North Sea Observatory in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park was due to be opened on 19 June 2018.

 

Tim Downing from Pygott and Crone stated that there was a renaissance taking place on the High Street with the presence of quality shops and good products on sale. He agreed that the visitor experience was important, agreed that Business Rates and parking were and issue and agreed that in some instances pedestrian schemes had taken away the vibrancy of High Streets.

 

 

 

 

 
 
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