Agenda item

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning proposals to further engage with Commonwealth by working in partnership with the cabinet office and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) on the work programme for the 2018 Commonwealth Summit and Business Forum.

The Director was heard in support of the report.

He reminded the Committee that in addition to the activities in the report, as part of its efforts to engage with the Commonwealth, the City Corporation had also agreed to become a member of the CWEIC for period of two years. This had now come to an end therefore consideration needed to be given on whether to renew membership. The Director advised that the cost of a further year’s membership was £12,000 and could be met from the balance of funds previously allocated for Commonwealth engagement activities. Members supported the renewal of the City Corporation’s membership of the CWEIC for a further year.

RESOLVED – that:-

1.    the direction of travel of the work being undertaken in partnership with Government and the CWEIC be supported in principle and that it be noted that, as the work programme developed, further proposals detailing division of responsibility and budget estimates would be submitted to the Committee for approval; and

2.    approval be given to the City Corporation renewing its membership of the CWEIC for a further year at a cost of £12,000 to be met from the unspent funds previously allocated from the Committee’s contingency for engagement with the Commonwealth.