Policy Group

Role and purpose

To provide expert policy advice and to undertake specific tasks that will inform the partnership’s decision making

Background

A dedicated group is needed by the SSEP to provide expert policy advice and to undertake specific tasks that will inform the partnership’s decision making.  

The Policy Task Group comprises senior and expert individuals in organisations whose remit is of a strategic economic development and policy nature.  

Priorities

During the current financial year the Task Group would be requested to input to the following policy areas:

Preparation for LAA 2

Swindon has been selected as one of the two areas in the South West to pilot the roll out of the next round of Local Area Agreements. It is anticipated that the new LAAs will commence in April 2008.  

From the SSEPs perspective it is important that economic development in Swindon maintains the high priority that it has had in the first LAA and that the new Economic Development and Enterprise block is robust and meaningful in taking forward the work of the partnership.

Policy Consultation

The SSEP has an important role to play in inputting to policy consultation exercises, be it carried out by governmental and regional economic development agencies, or by local organisations.  The consultation can take a variety of forms, including direct response to draft strategies and proposals, and input to fora and working parties to affect decision-making.

Inputting to those consultation processes is important in ensuring that the policies of regional and national decision makers and funding bodies take Swindon’s economic needs into account.

Research

A successful strategy to support the growth of the Swindon economy depends upon obtaining sound and up to date intelligence. The types of research that the group would oversee includes:

• Labour market assessment,
• Economic analysis,
• Analysis and research of key industrial sectors.  
• Commercial property information.  
• Marketing information  

Membership

Membership consists of:

• Wiltshire & Swindon Learning & Skills Council
• Jobcentre Plus
• GWE Business West Ltd
• Swindon Borough Council (Policy Team, Arts Team & Economic Development Team)
• Swindon Chamber of Commerce
• South West Regional Development Agency