To consider and agree the draft economic development strategy for recommendation to Council.

THAT:

(a) the Herefordshire Economic Vision attached at appendix 1 be recommended

to full Council for adoption as the county’s economic development strategy;

(b) delegated authority be sought from Council to make technical amendments to the strategy during the period 2017 to 2021 on factual matters such as:

updating of statistics, replacing images, and reflection of projects approved

by cabinet within each aim of the strategy.

(c) the investment pitch book contained at appendix 2 be approved; and

(d) authority be delegated to the economic development manager to make

technical amendments to the investment pitch book on matters such as: typographical errors, replacement of images, statistical information, project

information and programme timetable.

The draft strategy has been produced to reflect an agreed approach on the actions

and priorities to secure the future economic prosperity of the county. As a budget

and policy framework document adoption of the strategy is reserved to full council.

That the strategy is amended to reflect different priorities. This is not recommended

because consultation with partners was undertaken early within the process of

drafting the strategy. The draft strategy reflects priorities and opportunities identified

through this consultation. A mechanism is included within the strategy to review the

content on a regular basis and to include new priorities if required.

That the strategy is not accepted or published. This is not recommended because

the draft strategy identifies opportunities and guides investment. Without the strategy

there is significant risk that the county would lose out on external investment

opportunities and not realise the vision.