Issue - meetings

ADOPTION OF BROMLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Meeting: 16/06/2021 - Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee (Item 7)

7 ADOPTION OF BROMLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

thReport HPR2021/029

 

The report set out the Council’s first ever Economic Development Strategy (EDS).  The strategy had been developed with input from departments across the Council, external stakeholders, the business community and key service delivery partners. The Portfolio Holder introduced the report, focussing on the two key priorities of providing space for the development of offices, warehouses and factories, and providing the digital infrastructure that businesses needed. He stated that the strategy would be a living document -

it was important that Bromley was an exciting, attractive and welcoming place for both business and residents, and that its green strategy should fit in with economic activity. He also highlighted the importance of parking to the success of the borough’s retail centres, and the need for both good quality large office spaces and smaller, services units suitable for new businesses.

 

The Committee welcomed the Strategy, and several Members of the Committee had already submitted detailed comments. In response to Member comments, officers confirmed that although an Equalities Impact Assessment had not been carried out these issues had been taken into account in developing the Strategy. The Strategy did not contain detailed financial implications, but officers confirmed that there would be financial implications for some of the projects and initiatives covered in the document.   

 

The Chairman commented that the Strategy needed to be viewed alongside housing, planning and job-creation issues. It should be subject to a thorough review at least every five years, and six-monthly monitoring on progress by the PDS Committee.

 

The Chairman requested that Members continued to submit their comments on the Strategy to officers – it was agreed that any comments received from Committee members would be incorporated within the plan and a final draft circulated for approval before the plan went forward to the Executive.

 

RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to approve the formal adoption of the Economic Development Strategy to provide a framework for the economic development of the borough from 2021 to 2031.