Meeting Details

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer submitted the report OS.12/22 providing an overview of matters relating to the work of the Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel and the Panel’s Work Programme.

The Corporate Director of Economic Development gave a verbal update on each of the six objectives of the Economic Strategy Action Plan and agreed to circulate a copy of the action plan to the Panel.

In considering the update Members raised the following comments and questions:

- Was the Southern Relief Ring Road fully funded?

The Corporate Director  confirmed that the project was not fully funded, however, work was ongoing in partnership to continue to phase 1 and the project would be re-tendered.

- The Borderlands Digital Programme sought to contribute to the development and delivery of a 4G mobile infrastructure, should the project now be considering 5G?

The Corporate Director acknowledged that technology had progressed quickly and work would continue to match up to new technology.  She added that the preparation of the Rural Strategy would support some of the digital programme work in rural areas.

- How did the work of the Carlisle Ambassadors tie in with the work of the Economic Strategy?

The Corporate Director explained that the Economic Strategy would compliment the work of the Ambassadors.  The Corporate Director was unclear about the future of the Ambassadors following the local government reorganisation, however, she hoped that the Ambassadors were stable enough to continue in their own right.

- A Member commented that the projects in the town centre were important but felt it was important to remember the areas people lived in.

The Corporate Director agreed and outlined the project Riverside was working on to regenerate their housing stock.

- Carlisle was part of the Historic Cities group, how did Carlisle compare in promotion costs to other historic cities such as York?

The Corporate Director explained that Carlisle were very luck to be involved in the Historic Cities group and were the only local authority in the group.  The rest of the group was made up of Destination Management Offices (DMOs).  The group allowed Carlisle to benefit from overseas promotion and learn what worked in terms of promoting a city.  She did not know the difference in promotional funding but reminded the Panel that DMOs were usually privately funded by businesses.

The Panel discussed the future work programme and agreed to add the following for 2022/23:

     Riverside Housing Association
     Rural Strategy
     Feedback from the YK's Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) to be held in Leeds in May.

RESOLVED - 1) That the Overview Report incorporating the Work Programme and Key Decision items relevant to the Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel be noted (OS.12/22).

2) That the Corporate Director of Economic Development circulate the following information to the Panel:
     i. a copy of the six Economic Strategy Action Plan objectives;
     ii. details of the funding for the promotion of Carlisle compared to other historic cities such as York.

3) That the following items be added to the Panel's 2022/23 work programme:

     Riverside Housing Association
     Rural Strategy
     Feedback from the YK's Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) to be held in Leeds in May.