Agenda item

The Committee received an annual update on the Five Year Plan Outcome 5 – ‘Slough will attract, retain and grow businesses and investment to provide the opportunities for our residents’.  The outcome also included plans to respond to the skills and investment opportunities arising from Heathrow’s expansion and other major economic development schemes.

The context relating to delivering the objectives of the outcome were noted and the key actions were summarised.  These included progress on delivering hotels and housing on the old library site, regeneration of the former Thames Valley University site and transport schemes to promote a shift to public transport.  In relation to the skills opportunities arising from Heathrow expansion it was noted that the Council had engaged consultants Hatch Regeneris to establish a baseline to inform a strategy to maximise the opportunities for residents.  The Council had also recently launched the Slough Academy to grow and develop the authority’s workforce.

The Committee discussed the challenges facing Slough High Street both in terms of the declining retail offer and the lack of vibrant evening economy.  The Economic Growth & Enterprise Manager commented that many neighbouring town centres faced similar challenges due to changing retail trends and the approach in Slough was to try to create a different type of High Street experience to attract visitors.  In addition to the short terms plans to make the best of the current High Street the long term regeneration plans were expected to transform the centre of Slough.  Members discussed the work to attract new investment into the town and the Council was taking opportunities to promote Slough, for example at MIPIM, and by working with businesses and other key partners.

The Committee highlighted the importance of tackling the problems of traffic congestion which was considered to be a barrier to economic growth.  It was noted that the Council’s Transport Vision for the centre of Slough had been produced which aligned long term transport and regeneration plans to shape future development.  Members emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Council was making long term plans to accommodate the expected growth of the town.  In relation to Heathrow expansion it was noted that a Memorandum of Understanding had been agreed between the Council and airport to secure benefits to local residents from expansion.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the report was noted.

Resolved –  That details of the report be noted.