Agenda item

This Local Growth Plan (2026-36) sets out the shared ambition of BCP Council and the Business Growth Board who have been engaged in its development. It includes a shared aim and the associated priorities and interventions required to build a strong economy, with thriving people in a vibrant and connected place for our residents, businesses and visitors.

The plan outlines a vision for growth across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, supported by defined priorities and action plans. It strengthens readiness for devolution by demonstrating ambition, governance and the ability to deliver outcomes.

As devolution progresses, the Growth Plan will guide investment, shape partnerships and ensure BCP is well placed to maximise emerging opportunities. Delivering this ambition will require strong collaboration and sustained investment between local government, the private sector, investors, education and training providers, community and voluntary organisations, and our residents.

This Growth Plan is therefore both a commitment and an invitation: a commitment to fostering the conditions for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and an invitation for partners to collaborate with us to realise this shared ambition.

BCP Business Growth Board will help to articulate and drive forward the local economic priorities and the growth agenda for Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, through endorsing, co-ordinating and performance managing the new BCP Local Growth Plan.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Local Growth Plan (2026-36) sets out the shared ambition of BCP Council and the Business Growth Board who have been engaged in its development, and that it includes a shared aim and the associated priorities and interventions required to build a strong economy, with thriving people in a vibrant and connected place for our residents, businesses and visitors.

Cabinet was informed that the plan outlined a vision for growth across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, supported by defined priorities and action plans, and strengthened readiness for devolution by demonstrating ambition, governance and the ability to deliver outcomes.

Cabinet was further advised that as devolution progresses, the Growth Plan would guide investment, shape partnerships and ensure BCP is well placed to maximise emerging opportunities.

Cabinet was informed that delivering this ambition would require strong collaboration and sustained investment between local government, the private sector, investors, education and training providers, community and voluntary organisations, and our residents.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the Growth Plan was therefore both a commitment and an invitation: a commitment to fostering the conditions for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and an invitation for partners to collaborate with us to realise this shared ambition.

Cabinet was informed that the BCP Business Growth Board would help to articulate and drive forward the local economic priorities and the growth agenda for Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, through endorsing, co ordinating and performance managing the new BCP Local Growth Plan.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Kate Salmon addressed the Cabinet highlighting that the Board had received an early draft of this report at their May meeting which had enabled them to have some meaningful input into the plan and had subsequently made recommendations to the Growth Board.

In respect of this the Leader thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Board for their discussion on this item and as a Growth Board member confirmed that the Growth Board had received both the submitted recommendations which had been discussed and received positively and which it was understood would be formally reported back to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Councillor Patrick Canavan addressed the Cabinet expressing thanks to all those involved in this work. Further to this Councillor Canavan stressed that he felt that the council shouldn’t be constrained by this and that if other opportunities arose to develop economic growth that they should be taken.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)         The BCP Local Growth Plan be adopted.

(b)         The expected Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership capital and revenue funding be allocated to support delivery of the BCP Growth Plan priorities.

(c)         The Director of Investment & Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations be delegated authority to work alongside the BCP Business Growth Board and partners to support delivery of the Local Growth Plan interventions.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

The BCP Local Growth Plan will support the delivery of our Corporate Strategy Ambitions: Our place and environment - Vibrant places where people and nature flourish, with a thriving economy in a healthy, natural environment. Our people and communities - Everyone leads a fulfilled life, maximising opportunity for all. The BCP Local Growth Plan also underpins the Council’s vision: “Where people, nature, coast and towns come together in sustainable, safe and healthy communities to prosper and promote a sense of place.”