Issue - meetings

To consider a presentation of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment with an overview of the emergent response to the challenges of economic recovery and strategy moving forwards for Hampshire.

The Sub-Committee received the presentation of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment with an overview of the emergent response to the challenges of economic recovery moving forwards for Hampshire.

This set out the national and county-wide position. It showed the impact of the pandemic and the scale and scope of both the national and local responses to support people and businesses. It also highlighted Hampshire’s key economic sectors and key strategic assets and their prospects for recovery. It provided an outline of the devastating consequences in relation to business activities, particularly in certain key sectors, and in terms of skills, training and education. Also raised, was the continuing risks of rising unemployment as well as some of the accelerated trends emerging from the lockdowns, relating to green, digital and automation, as well as trends associated with working from home and growth in on-line commerce.

Members discussed small business start-ups and the support for these within Hampshire. It was noted that the County Council had been working with the University of Southampton on The Catalyst Programme to support new, small businesses and also continuing the partnership working with Local Enterprise Partnerships to ensure a coordinated approach to business support across the county.

The Sub-Committee discussed the important work being conducted by Hampshire colleges and universities in terms of how crucial it would be, looking to the future of Hampshire’s economy, to ensure that training was available to develop skills for the future. Members noted that, going forward, organisations would be seeking particular skill sets and that developing these would be important in securing opportunities for economic growth across the region. It was also noted that the ‘Green Recovery’ work commissioned from the New Economics Foundation would have a strong skills emphasis.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Advisory Sub-Committee on Economic Growth and Recovery notes the presentation.