Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

a)    Agrees that the following represent the priorities for the New Forest in respect of the economic growth which would be achieved through a successfully delivered Solent Freeport:

·       Transport/wider infrastructure

·       Employment and Skills

·       Prosperous Communities

·       Environmental Sustainability

·       The Development of a Local Delivery Plan

b)    Instructs officers to develop a New Forest Freeport Delivery Plan and bring it back to Cabinet for consideration.

KEY DECISION:

Yes

PORTFOLIO:

All

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Leader introduced the report and explained that the Solent Freeport was now in its full delivery phase with Marchwood Solent Gateway Site recently seeing its first spade in the ground. The aim was for the Solent port at Southampton to become a global trading gateway. Alongside this, incentives to support investment on tax sites are now in place and would run until 2031. The ability to retain and reinvest the business rates which result from investment will be in place for 25 years.

It was now for the Council to agree the priorities for the New Forest in respect of the economic growth that would be achieved through a successfully delivered Solent Freeport. The proposed priorities were set out within the report and would be achieved by way of a New Forest Freeport Delivery Plan that officers would develop for Cabinet consideration.

The Strategic Regeneration Advisor informed Cabinet that the forecasted income generation for the next 25 years, identified within the Freeport full business case, was c£500million. This was across the entire Solent Freeport and would not be solely ringfenced for the New Forest. It was therefore vitally important that NFDC put forward a robust and clear delivery plan, shaped by its priorities, to ensure that a good portion of the income generated is reinvested in the District. 

The priorities proposed to make up a delivery plan had been supported by the Future New Forest District Partnership, the Steering Group and the Place and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel. 

Cabinet acknowledged that skills and development were vital to the success of the New Forest and that it was imperative that the upskilling was delivered through schools, higher education and in the community. Discussions on this matter had taken place between the Leader and the Solent Skills Meeting Group. The New Forest’s unique circumstances and opportunities meant that a regional approach to skills and development may not be the most applicable or beneficial to the District and therefore it was vital for NFDC to put forward its own bespoke delivery plan. 

Infrastructure improvements were already being seen at the Marchwood Military Port and the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy explained that this development was an example of where facilities would be enhanced whilst bringing employment to the area. Other members expressed that the development of modern, efficient infrastructure was fundamental to the District. 

Discussions were ongoing regarding the offer of apprenticeships and the offer available to young people in the District. It was agreed that information must be communicated to young people on the opportunities available to them so that they could flourish in the New Forest without the need to leave the area.