I am interested in understanding the amount spent by your council on strategic economic consulting services (contracts with external suppliers). Specifically:
1. The total amount spent on strategic economic consulting services (external suppliers) for each financial year from 2021 to 2023 for the following industries/sectors (where appropriate):
· Digital & Technology
· Clean Technologies
· Advanced Manufacturing
· Life Sciences
· Creative Industries
2. A breakdown of this spending by supplier, where available.
3. Any available descriptions or categories that clarify the nature of the services provided by external consultants.
In response to all three questions, please see table below which provides a breakdown of spend on strategic economic consulting services from 2021 to 2023 which cross the following sectors;
- * Digital & Technology
- * Clean Technologies
- * Advanced Manufacturing
- * Life Sciences
- * Creative Industries
| Year | Description | Supplier | Supplier Role | Amount |
| 2021 | Devon Live / Work study | Transform Research Consultancy Ltd | To conduct global research and produce a report on working trends and live/work spaces in areas comparable to Devon | £27,500 |
| 2021 |
Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Skills Report update |
Wavehill | Provide in depth analysis of Skills in the Heart of the South West area (Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset) | £15,000 |
| 2023 | AgriTech Sector Mapping and Gapping | University of Plymouth | To map the AgriTech industry and identify gaps in Devon | £32,592 |
| 2021 | Devon Strategy for Growth 2030 | Buckman Associates Ltd | To refresh and update the Devon Strategy for Growth considering the potential impact of Covid | £14,850 |
| 2021 | Appledore Economic Options Study | Buckman Associates Ltd | To explore and investigate scenarios for Appledore Shipyard and produce a report | £15,000 |