Meeting documents

To consider and comment on the report from the Strategic Manager Economy and Planning.

Paul Hickson, Strategic Manager Economy and Planning and Julie Wooler, Senior Economic Development Officer provided an overview of the report illustrated with a slideshow to highlight the key points. Members were asked to note that this is not a full report, or a strategy, but that it is a building block towards a new Economic Strategy for Somerset. 

The Scrutiny Committee were asked to consider and comment on the Somerset Economic Futures Summary Update Report and work undertaken to date with specific reference to:

-       Issues identified by the SWOT analysis

-       The proposed four economic scenarios

The following comments and questions were received from members.

·         Energy: There are two main utility industries that have a major impact on Somerset’s economic future, water, and electricity. How can we lobby these companies to do more in terms of meeting higher demand for electricity and for more sustainability in the energy sector? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning acknowledged that the points raised are very valid and these can be incorporated into the SWOT analysis.

·         Agriculture: The solution is not about just planting trees. This is about how you produce food. Ploughing through land results in high carbon output. Farming in a different way can maintain more carbon in the soil. Slow farming i.e The Newt is tying in a lot of carbon on the land. What’s written on the slides does not currently meet climate change. The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that he will look to discuss with consultants and experts to incorporate this detail into the SWOT analysis.

·         Agriculture: A ‘Farm Carbon Toolkit’ is being used at Mendip District Council, it is a good resource and may be useful here.

·         Agriculture: How can we work with farmers to drive carbon neutrality across the industry?  I.e., working with NFU to put more pressures on farmers unions? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that they would be looking to involve those stakeholders in all focus sessions.

·         Agriculture: Could we use ‘County Farms’ as case studies for more sustainable farming? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning confirmed that he would take this away for further investigation.

·         Agriculture: Food supply issues due to the war in Ukraine and diversification in food supply. Can we ensure that we can grow the core produce, before diversifying into alternative produce.

·         This work emphasises the importance of working in partnership with stakeholders to meet climate objectives – we can’t do this on our own.

·         Hinkley point: ‘Anchor for clean growth’ What does this mean? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that this is about the development of supply chains and maximising their local and regional strength. The supply chain strengths that come from this project can be applied to future renewable projects. i.e., offshore wind farms.

·         Covid 19: Will the Economic Strategy include impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, in terms of its social and economic impacts on the Economic Future for Somerset? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that this has been raised within the team and that in terms of economic development, Covid-19 recovery is still in its early days and very difficult to assess and plan for in the longer term. 

·         Non-committee member online: There are some gaps in this economic futures work in terms, how can we move forward and fill some of these gaps? How do we do more work with stakeholders to put this research into action. i.e. business networking, innovation forums, opening up new markets in Somerset to make it a great place to live and work.  The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning reassured members that this is piece of work looking at the longer term to inform the Economic Strategy. Alongside that the economic development team are commissioning support services, driving innovation, and procuring a business support service to enable growth in our business communities, particularly SME’s.  The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning suggested that the team could bring a more detailed report on this in the future.

·         Non-committee member online: Economic Growth is very unpredictable. How can we support businesses to achieve carbon neutrality in such difficult economic circumstances. i.e., more permitted developments rights for solar projects. Can we make sure this is considered in the forthcoming Local Plan for the new unitary authority. The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that elements of this would be reported back to the committee within a report on the outcomes of the Climate Business Summit next month.

·         Discovery sessions: What are these, how have they been advertised, and what are the main objectives of these sessions? The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning advised that these sessions are looking to involve all wider stakeholders.

·         Will this piece of work feed into the work of the Heart of the Southwest LEP and is this work being undertaken by other councils across the region? A joined-up approach is important here. The Strategic Manager Economy and Planning confirmed that this was the case and that the LEP is a part of the steering group on this work.

The Chair thanked all members and officers for their participation and the committee noted the report.