Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Butler introduced the report which provided a summary of current economic conditions in the region and the County, drawing from a number of sources.  The report provided details of the governance structures in place to respond to economic recovery and the work programmes currently underway.

            The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK departure from the European Union were not yet know, and were still evolving.

            The report provided detailed information on Brexit; Covid-19; economic update; commercial estate; business rates; town centres and regional and local responses.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) explained that this was an evidence based report which had been requested by, and well received by, the Recovery Committee.  He added that there had been fewer large-scale redundancies announced following Covid than had been feared.  There had been a high level of job vacancies for nursing, personal care, care workers, kitchen and catering assistants, cleaners and van drivers all proving hard to fill.

            The Chief Executive welcomed the report which provided a strong assessment of the economy.  He thanked officers for the report.

            Councillors Bithell and Johnson welcomed the report, commenting that Flintshire had been mentioned in the Sunday Times, reporting that it was bucking the trend in recovery and that Flintshire saw improved figures on the Competitiveness Index. In response to a question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Executive said that a discussion took place at Recovery Committee on skills and linking in with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB).  The Committee requested that a representative from the NWEAB attend a future meeting to explain how they were linking into Flintshire to drive the local economy.

RESOLVED:

That the contents and conclusions of the report be noted and supported.