Review Topic

(name of Review)

Economic Development Strategy

Review Reference Code

EN007

Lead Scrutiny Committee

Environment

Lead Member Review Group

(Cllr’s involved)

Cllrs Biddy Hudson, C H Shouler and a.n.other to be decided

Officer Support

(Scrutiny Review Officer lead)

Julian Hehir/Mike Cohen - tbd

Rationale

(key issues and/ or reason for doing the Review)

The topic was included in the Environment Scrutiny Committee Work Programme in the following terms:

The Economic Development Strategy:

• Is it co-ordinated? How good is County/ District liaison?
• Does this issue fall between the gaps in Directorates?
• Is there sufficient strategic thinking by the Executive, given that it is delegated to a partnership?

As a scrutiny activity, this work may involve policy review & development, holding the Executive to account and scrutiny of external agencies.

It was also identified by the Director for Environment & Economy as a key issue last year; particularly as a cross-cutting issue that could fall between the gaps in the current Council management and partnership structures. It is "strategic & significant". A conference last year for Members also identified some key areas of weakness surrounding this topic.

The forthcoming review of the Economic Development Strategy and the timely opportunity to have an influence on it and related economic development activity and events, provide the rationale for this work.

* See footnote on background of economic development activities.

Purpose of Review/Objective

(specify exactly what the Review should achieve)

• (Stage 1 - Jan to March 2005) – To consider, comment and make recommendations to the Environment Scrutiny Committee on 23 February 2005 on the draft Annual Report on the Economic Development Action Plan that will be presented to the Executive in March 2005 ***
• (Stage 2 – April to Sept 2005) – In tandem with the ongoing work on the EDS (see * below) to report on progress and to make recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2005 (progress) and 21. September 2005 (recommendations).
• To make recommendations on the disparate way that economic development works and is managed internally and externally.
• To raise the profile of the County’s economic development function.
• To examine the liaison between the economic development activities in the County and the districts.

Indicators of Success

(what factors would tell you what a good Review should look like)

• To have achieved a clearer picture of the economic development activities and functions.
• To have raised the profile and added value to economic development in conjunction with business partners.
• To have made recommendations to the Executive and partners.
• To have identified education-business links.
• To have achieved better co-ordinated activities within the officer structure and in liaison with business, to enable a joint understanding of measures to evaluate success in economic development.

Methodology/ Approach

(what types of enquiry will be used to gather evidence and why)

• Stage 1 - Short period of Lead Member group investigation in consultation with the Head of Economic Development and a report back with recommendations on the draft Economic Development Action Plan in Feb 05.
• Stage 2 – Lead Member Group investigation and "expert witness" question and answer interviews to inform a report and recommendations to Environment Scrutiny Committee on 21 Sept 2005 on Oxfordshire Economic Partnership draft E D Strategy.
• Workshop on 6 April 2005 informing the new draft EDS.

Specify Witnesses/ Experts

(who to see and when)

• Dave Waller – Head of Economic Development – E&E
• Jasmine Phander – E&E
• District Councils’ economic development contacts
• Major employers
• Business forums and enterprise groups
• Chief Exec – (or nominated officer) – Cherwell District Council
• Other partners listed in Oxfordshire Economic Development Strategy 2001-2005.
• Roger Stratton (and/or a.n.other – Learning & Culture Directorate; eg Richard Howard on educational attainment)
• Others to be identified.

Specify Evidence Sources for Documents

(which to look at)

• Oxfordshire Economic Development Strategy
• OCC Economic Development Action Plan
• Oxfordshire Economic Partnership
• South East (draft) Plan
• Oxfordshire Community Strategy (and Partnership)
• OCP "Understanding Oxfordshire" project

See also Appendix 3 of EDS – for a list of Sources of further information that informed the development of the EDS

Other documents to be identified.

Specify Site Visits

(where and when)

If relevant – Harwell Development Office (Steve Moss); Magdalen Centre (Charles Young)

Specify Evidence Sources for Views of Stakeholders

(consultation/ workshops/ focus groups/ public meetings)

• Small Lead Member Group investigation of relevant documentation
• Question and answer sessions with witnesses called
• 6 April Workshop on draft EDS.

Publicity requirements

(what is needed – fliers, leaflets, radio broadcast, press-release, etc.)

N/A for time being – to be identified if necessary.

Resource requirements

• Person-days
• Expenditure

Approx 15

£500

Barriers/ dangers/ risks

(identify any weaknesses and potential pitfalls)

• The existing officer structure may be difficult for those managing and promoting economic development.
• Limited ability of local authorities to influence the course of events.
• Quite tight timescales – Scrutiny entering late to influence process relative to strands and timescales.
• SEERA moving so fast Oxon may find it hard to keep up.

Projected start date

January 2005

Draft Report Deadline

13 July 2005

Meeting Frequency

Every 2-4 weeks

Projected completion date

21 September 2005