Purpose

To consider and
agree an approach for the production of a new Economic
Growth Strategy including the approach to consultation with the business
community and key stakeholders.  

Content

(a)   
That the
principle of establishing a new “economic growth-board” to provide business
representation into the democratic decision-making process, be approved.

 

Approval for the governance and
membership of this group would be subject to a separate decision.

 

(b)   
That the
formal withdrawal of Dorset Council from the Dorset LEP CIC on or before 31
March 2025 be approved.

 

(c)   
That the
broad approach to the development of the Economic Growth Strategy be approved.

 

(d)   
That the
key issues impacting the Dorset economy be noted.

 

 

Reasons for the decision

 

To develop a strategy and to
implement it successfully, the council would step into the space vacated by the
LEP and build a new set of strategic relationships with the business community
that enables them to feed into the decision decision-making process. The
Strategy would set out how the council would proactively engage at a strategic
level with the various town Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement
Districts to ensure locality needs are captured.