Minutes:
Philip Clifford, Senior Adviser, introduced the item, outlining research produced by consultants Value Adage (commissioned by the City Regions and People and Places Boards in early 2017)to review the national trade and investment policy landscape with a view to understanding the potential for a strengthened sub-national approach. He discussed how work could be taken forward.
In the discussion which followed, members made the following points:
· Members highlighted that rural industries needed to be considered as part of this work. Bodies such as the NFU would be able to give specific views on the area.
· There was a brief discussion on exploring alternative business view points from other countries.
· Members highlighted there needed to be better ways of identifying companies with potential and creating opportunities for them to build.
Decision
1. Members agreed the proposed work streams set out in paragraph 8.
Action
1. Officers to take forward work as directed by members.