Agenda item

Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/22/1), on Clean Growth Opportunities and Vision for Development, attached.

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting.

RESOLVED

(a) that the West of East Devon Clean Growth Vision and a supporting Clean Growth Strategy Report be endorsed for submission to the East Devon District Council local plan consultation;

(b) that Cabinet note this is a pilot study that can be replicated elsewhere in Devon to fit in with local planning cycles and support sustainable development and the Devon Carbon Plan; and

(c) that amendments to the Clean Growth Vision be delegated to the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills and the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport.

(Councillors Biederman, Brazil, Connett and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/22/1), circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Report sought Cabinet endorsement of the Clean Growth Vision for the West of East Devon and the Strategy, and that be submitted as part of the Council’s evidence into the East Devon District Council local plan consultation.

The vision document and supporting strategy focused on low carbon economic growth in the West of East Devon (WoED) and the Report outlined a vision for the area, recommended a series of actions that reflected priorities for growth and contained an Annexe of implementation projects that fitted with the vision and could be used as a framework for funding bids. The study was being submitted to East Devon District Council’s Strategic Planning Committee for their endorsement as evidence for the production of the local plan.

The Clean Growth Vision for the WoED was in three parts – a Vision document, a supporting technical report and an Annexe of anchor opportunities, set out in the appendices of the Report.

The proposals were in line with a number of objectives including the Governments Net Zero Strategy, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Blueprint for Clean Growth and this Council’s climate emergency. The study considered the West of the District, including Cranbrook, nearby employment sites, including Exeter Science Park and Skypark, and the Clyst Valley regional park and other potential areas for growth. The vision also considered opportunities from the move to home working and covered other climate change aspects, such as transport, energy generation, skills requirements and building standards.

Following a procurement process, City Science had been appointed to undertake the work, which outlined the vision and made a series of 11 delivery recommendations and provided an Annexe of 8 catalytic example projects that could deliver clean growth objectives and net zero outcomes.

The WoED was a place of exceptional assets - a special combination of natural capital, skilled innovators, ambitious local partnerships, energy resources, and ample space for business growth. The vision was based on the idea that long-term job growth would be focused on knowledge-based assets and increased innovation. 

Key themes identified were:

·      Redefining how we work and live well;

·      A Thriving Innovation Ecosystem;

·      World-Class Demonstrators in Core Technologies;

·      Zero-Carbon Place-making;

·      Restoring Nature Connections;

·      Powered by Nature; and

·      A Place for Creative Minds

The Report included 11 recommendations for delivery and provided some relevant case study examples from other locations.

The Annexe of Anchor Opportunities provided 8 catalytic projects that could be a focus for future funding bids or private investment, with an idea of costs, jobs, skills and GVA increases they would support and provided some examples from other areas where appropriate:

An Impact Assessment was also attached to the agenda for the attention of Members at the meeting, noting there were no equality considerations impacting on the decisions sought from the recommendations in this report.

The Report promoted a positive environmental message regarding the ability to carry out clean growth in Devon. There was no direct environmental benefit or impact from the study itself, however if the vision and recommendations were implemented there would be a significant positive environmental impact for the area and the Devon Carbon Plan overall.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Gilbert, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the West of East Devon Clean Growth Vision and a supporting Clean Growth Strategy Report be endorsed for submission to the East Devon District Council local plan consultation;

(b) that Cabinet note this is a pilot study that can be replicated elsewhere in Devon to fit in with local planning cycles and support sustainable development and the Devon Carbon Plan; and

(c) that amendments to the Clean Growth Vision be delegated to the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills and the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport.

(NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available on the Impact Assessment Webpages).