Agenda item

Consider report by Corporate Transformation and Services Director seeking approval of the Progress Report for the Scottish Borders Economic Strategy 2023 – Action Plan (copy attached).

2.1       With reference to paragraph 14 of the Executive Committee Minute of 9 June 2015, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Corporate Transformation and Services Director seeking approval of the Scottish Borders Economic Strategy – Action Plan Progress report which was attached as an appendix. It was explained that the Scottish Borders Economic Strategy 2023, agreed by Community Planning Partners in 2013, set out the vision, strategic aims and objectives that would provide the focus for the Council and its partners’ efforts to ensure sustainable economic growth for the Scottish Borders.  The associated Action Plan set out in detail how the Community Planning Partnership would deliver the outcomes identified in the Economic Strategy.  Working together through the Community Planning Partnership’s Economy and Low Carbon Group, partners had focused on the Action Plan and delivered well, especially considering the limited resources available for some of the actions.   The report summarised the progress that had been made, which was good overall, but also noted that there were some areas of concern in relation to the actions. Referred to, in particular, was the imperative to push forward with the provision of plots for employment use and new business space within the Tweedbank area.  Mr McGrath answered questions on particular sections of the Action Plan.

2.2       With regard to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project, which was coming to its final year of delivery, there had been major progress made in installing fibre cabinets.  However, although the programme would connect 93.3% of premises in the Borders, much more work was required to address connectivity for the remaining premises. Mobile phone coverage was also an issue which was being addressed.  Members discussed at length the issues around Superfast Broadband and mobile phone coverage.  A view was expressed that using the target of 93.3% of premises connected as a measure of success was a misrepresentation. The reality was that, even where cabinets were installed many properties, for various reasons but often due to distance from cabinet, still did not see an improvement in broadband speeds.  The Corporate Transformation and Services Director advised that he should be in a position to bring a report to the Executive Committee in March 2017, indicating positive implications for the Scottish Borders, on the Scottish Government R100  Programme, set up to address those premises that would not be covered by the current rollout.  Reference was also made to the Ettrick and Beyond community-led broadband initiative.  It was anticipated that the Scottish Borders Economic Strategy would be reviewed and refreshed during the summer of 2017.                         

DECISION

(a)       NOTED:-

           (i)     the positive progress made in relation to the actions in the Scottish  Borders Economic Strategy – Action Plan Progress report, set out in the appendix to the report; and

           (ii)   that a report on the R100 Programme would be brought to the Executive Committee in March 2017.

(b)          AGREED that the Action Plan Progress report be presented to the Community Planning Partnership Strategic Board at its next meeting.