Council’s economic development team under spotlight

The impact of work that Shropshire Council’s economic development team is doing to help boost the local economy will be considered by councillors this week.

At their meeting on Thursday 3 March, members of Shropshire Council’s enterprise and growth scrutiny committee will consider a report that sets out the council’s key economic priorities, what the economic development team is doing to address these, and any key outcomes that are being achieved as a result of the team’s work.

The report covers a number of successes, including the £3.5 million being invested as part of the market towns revitalisation programme, the important work of the county’s business ambassadors and the Shropshire Business Board, exploiting the county’s links to the Olympics, and advice clinics for local businesses.

More than 130 businesses have received a grant from the Shropshire Business Enterprise Fund, helping to create 30 new jobs and investing over £275,000.

There has also been a joint bid with Herefordshire Council for an extra £1.13 million for the next couple of years.

The report also covers the successful Government-approved Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) established by Shropshire Council, Herefordshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council and the business community. LEPs replace Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) such as Advantage West Midlands.

Councillor Alan Mosley, chairman of the enterprise and growth scrutiny committee, said:

“This meeting will give us the chance to identify the extent to which our economic development team is supporting and boosting growth and employment opportunities in the county, and to identify if there is more we should be doing. Obviously, this is vital given the difficulties in the national and local economy. It is interesting to note that we are starting to increase the level of joint working with our neighbouring councils, which can only be a good thing for residents and businesses in the region.”