Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 25, 2025

Purpose: To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Growth and Skills seeking approval and endorsement, subject to any final amendments, of the Growth and Prosperity Plan and the objectives, priorities and project pipeline set out therein.

Content: Having complied with paragraph 15 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules:   (i)  Note the key themes and objectives, the drivers of growth, and the strategic project pipeline that will form the basis of the GPP. (ii)  Endorse the GPP (attached at Appendix 1) as the Council’s overarching approach to the delivery of growth and prosperity objectives and as the framework for how the ‘Growing Southampton’ mission within the City Plan is enabled

Reasons for the decision: 1.  This report is submitted for consideration as a General Exception under paragraph 15 /16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the City Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Panel and the Public. 2.  In order that the Growth and Prosperity Plan – and associated objectives and priorities – can progress at pace, and to ensure they are influencing future direction of a future MCCA, it was necessary to add this report under general exception.  It is not in the public interest to delay a decision on this matter as the Plan will be a key driver for growth within the City region and needs to be in place as early as possible for the Council, MCCA and partners to factor into its forward planning for the year ahead. 

Alternative options considered: Not to deliver a new Growth Plan and rely on the existing array of divergent plans and strategies or to rely solely on the high-level City Plan.