Decision details

(i)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Policy and Economic Development following consultation with the Leader of the Council to consult on the draft Local Economic Assessment for Southampton; and

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Policy and Economic Development following consultation with the Leader of the Council to take any other action necessary to meet the Council’s obligations under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 in respect the duty to produce a Local Economic Assessment (LEA).

To meet the timetable of preparing and approving a LEA by 31 March 2011.

1. The Council could argue that as its administrative area has been included within Hampshire Local Economic Assessment, publication of which was led by Hampshire County Council, it has fulfilled its statutory obligation which provides for groups of local authorities to publish LEAs.  However, because this LEA covers the whole of the ‘Hampshire Local Economic Area’ Southampton’s economic position and priorities are not fully reflected. This has been communicated to the County Council. 
2. An LEA could have been produced for South Hampshire facilitated by the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire.  However, as the duty applies to upper and unitary authorities and PUSH is neither of these things this was not a tenable option.  The refresh of the PUSH Economic Development Strategy has provided valuable data and insights in supporting the LEA for Southampton.