Agenda item

(a)  Note the current activities led by the council and its partners.

(b)  Endorse the council’s work on the Western Rail Access to Heathrow (WRAtH) project to improve connectivity between Slough and Heathrow Airport.

(c)  Agree to realign council material to ensure a holistic vision regarding the relation of the Council with Heathrow Airport.

The Cabinet was presented with a report detailing the activities across the Council that supported economic growth.  Officers advised that despite the economic downturn and recession Slough had remained a strong economic force.  Despite this, it was necessary to ensure that businesses remained committed to Slough and that local services, infrastructure and skills delivered what businesses needed.

Members were reminded that Aspire/Aspire For You had been launched on 2 July.  The project would work with local businesses, educational institutions, employment services and training providers to raise the skills and aspirations of Slough residents, promote learning and development of skills and to increase recruitment opportunities for local people.

Companies in Slough had quoted their proximity to Heathrow and accessibility to other parts of the Country as being the key factor in moving into Slough.  Consequently the Council had, with partners, focused on the delivery of strategic infrastructure notably Western Rail Access to Heathrow  (WRAtH), which would result in 20% of the UKs population being within one interchange of Heathrow and journey time reductions of up to 70% for South east, South West, South Wales and West Midlands.  The Government had published the Draft Aviation Policy Framework on 12 July 2012, which confirmed that funding would be provided for the project.

The Cabinet emphasised their full support for the WRAtH project and the importance of ensuring that Slough continued to remain an attractive location for national and international organisations.

Resolved to: -

(a)  Note the current activities led by the council and its partners.

(b)  Endorse the council’s work on the Western Rail Access to Heathrow (WRAtH) project to improve connectivity between Slough and Heathrow Airport.

(c)  Agree to realign council material to ensure a holistic vision regarding the relation of the Council with Heathrow Airport and to report back to the Cabinet with regard to progress.