Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to the proposed approach to economic recovery for Warwickshire County Council as an initial framework to inform the Place, Economy & Climate theme of the Change Portfolio.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Councillor Izzi Seccombe

Councillor Izzi Seccombe informed Cabinet that the current Covid-19 crisis had damaged the economy. There was no certainty of what the future of the economy held but it will be important to build on Warwickshire’s past successes and learn new lessons.  

Referencing page 39 of the published agenda and report pack, Councillor Jerry Roodhouse suggested that the proposed member working groups will need to focus on a very few key items. Councillor Seccombe agreed with this point in principle but suggested that before any attempt is made to shorten the list of proposed outcomes, the member groups should meet and report.

Resolved:

That Cabinet approve:

1)    the proposed approach to economic recovery for Warwickshire County Council as set out in this paper, as an initial framework to inform the Place, Economy & Climate theme of the Change Portfolio, to be taken forward with members and partners.

2)    the set of short-term support measures (set out in paragraph 2.7) recommended to support businesses and the economy in this immediate recovery foundation stage subject to the availability of funding.

3)    the proposal to increase by £2.5m the indicative funding allocation of the “Place Shaping and Capital Investment Feasibility Fund” to a total of £7.5m, enabling this fund to support up to £4m of proposed economic recovery work, balanced by a reduction in the other investment funds proposed in section 3.