This report explores the future of industrial estates/business parks and their development across the District in the context of generating inward investment.  It proposes a strategy which looks at all aspects of inward investment and covers short, medium and long-term objectives within the Council’s £5m 10-year strategy.

In accepting the recommendation, the proposed strategy will be approved and the Business and Economy Team will be given approval to develop and implement a suitable action plan to deliver the strategy.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided background to the proposed activity which sought to support the Hambleton Economic Strategy (2014) themes of Inward Investment and Drive Growth.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that this decision supported the Council’s priority of driving economic vitality.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the draft Hambleton Industrial Estates Action Plan be approved with a direction to prioritise:-

          (a)     the investigation of removing infrastructure constraints; and

          (b)     the development of ‘A Place to Grow’ web resource to promote the District and provide information to assist local business growth;

(2)     the approach to establish centres of excellence relating to key industry clusters, including advance manufacturing at Stokesley and food manufacturing at Leeming Bar; and

(3)     that an Inward Investment Action Plan be developed and reported back to Cabinet.