Issue - items at meetings - Environmental Industries Scrutiny Report - Executive Response

Ms Murray introduced the report which gave an update on the creative industries and on New England House.  She informed the Committee that they were currently recruiting a sub-sectoral post (to focus on creative and environmental industries).  The last audit of creative industries was 2007 and they were updating this. Space was still a major issue.

Mr Max Woodford, Project Manager, outlined the strategy for New England House. New England House provided affordable, subsidised units and had a waiting list but there was an issue over the lack of high-tech space. DCA  Consulting had been appointed to prepare the business case. They would talk to existing building users: it was not about moving tenants but making better use of the space.

The issue of affordable space was raised and Mr Woodford suggested that tiered rates may be used. There was a tension between lower rents and protecting income. They were also aware of the needs for high speed cables to fit the digital industries. This would be addressed in the next stage of the plan.  The universities and Wired Sussex were both involved in the process. Committee members welcomed the involvement of these partners.

The idea of transferring assets to the community so the building was run by a trust was suggested. Mr Woodford noted that a report would go to Cabinet in September and then the discussions would be around what sort of a vehicle was appropriate to take New England House forward.

RESOLVED  - that a verbal update be given to the Committee after the Cabinet Meeting in September.

Report of the Director of Culture and Enterprise.

54.1 The Head of Culture and Economy, Paula Murray, introduced the Executive Response to the ad-hoc scrutiny panel report on Environmental Industries. The response had been agreed at the Cabinet Member Meeting in January 2010.  The Executive response congratulated the panel for their report and accepted the seven major recommendations.  It accepted that these recommendations could be delivered upon.  On the recommendation for a lead officer for environmental industries, Ms Murray informed the Committee that it was not affordable to have one person for one sector, but that the creative industries post was being reshaped to be an economic development post that focused on particular sub-sectors. The environmental industries were a priority now. The Executive Response had also added an objective to include fundraising in the work of the new economic development post.

54.2 Ms Murray informed the Committee that the Chairman, Councillor Randall, had presented the ad-hoc panel report to the Economic Partnership and it had been well received. The recommendation for an audit of environmental industries in the city had come out as a priority during this discussion. This would be a priority for the new post-holder in April 2010.

54.3 It was confirmed that the minor recommendations were also agreed by the Cabinet Member. The report would now go to Full Council.

54.4 RESOLVED:  (1) to note the Executive Response; and

(2) to agree to the update on the implementation of the Panel’s recommendations in twelve months time.