Devon’s plan for growth and jobs
Devon County Council is spelling out how it will boost the economy and help to stimulate growth.
The authority’s draft Strategy for Growth has been approved by the Cabinet and is now available for final consultations.
The county council says it has five key aims:
- A more productive economy
- A higher wage economy
- Employment opportunities for all and a workforce with the right skills for the future
- A well connected county
- A thriving business community
- Devon County Council leader John Hart said: “We can’t create jobs as a local authority.
“But we can help create the climate for companies to expand and entrepreneurs to start up new businesses.
“It’s important that all the activities of Devon County Council are focused on these objectives and that we work closely with business and our partners in district councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership with a common purpose.
“We want to ensure more of our residents can obtain the skills and qualifications which employers need so they can get good jobs with decent pay.
“Over the past few years we have seen the work that’s going on east of Exeter on the SciencePark and Skypark with all their associated facilities. They will create thousands of good jobs.
“We have made a start on the South Devon Link Road to give a real shot in the arm to that part of the county.
“We are also embarking on a major project to bring superfast broadband to 90 per cent of Devon enabling businesses in our rural areas to compete with the towns on a level playing field and local residents to take full advantage of the digital age.”
The Strategy for Growth details how each of the five key aims will be achieved:
A more productive economy narrowing the productivity gap
We recognise that the productivity gap between Devon and the UK has been widening. We need to narrow the gap through investment, innovation, skills, enterprise and competition. This is the long-term ambition for the Devon economy which requires a fundamental shift in its industrial structure and encourages growth in sectors that achieve higher levels of productivity.
A higher wage economy narrowing our wage disparity with the rest of the UK
We want average wage levels in Devon to grow at a faster rate than the UK average. We will achieve this through actions to upskill staff and encourage businesses to create new, higher-paid employment opportunities, focusing on growing those economic sectors capable of delivering higher skilled jobs with better wages.
Employment opportunities for all and a workforce with the right skills for the future realising everyone’s potential
By creating better paid jobs, we are seeking to support our young people and long term unemployed into work. We want to make sure we have a workforce with the right skills to meet the future needs of business. So we will forge better links between employers and education providers to ensure our school leavers have the skills they need to get on. We also want to make sure we retain the high calibre young people graduating from Exeter and PlymouthUniversities.
A well connected county locally, nationally, globally
We are seeking to improve road, rail, air and broadband connectivity and help support businesses expand through reaching new markets and developing local supply chains. The focus of activity in support of this outcome will ensure the county builds and maintains connections to secure easy access to the key economic centres both in the UK and abroad.
A thriving business community improving resilience and business performance
Through this outcome we want to ensure we have a vibrant business community that is both ambitious and resilient. We are seeking to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring existing businesses have the right support to grow, innovate and become more competitive. Our actions will focus on ensuring business support is available to those businesses who need it alongside business premises to meet a range of needs.
Mr Hart added: “This strategy will only succeed if Devon County Council is able to exert leadership and influence and to deliver its priority actions based on sound evidence.
“We will continue to maintain and develop a wide range of relationships.
“And we will keep on lobbying and influencing our MPs and the Government in support of the key issues affecting the Devon economy.
“We will build on our recent successes to maximise funding opportunities for Devon and work with government to ensure Devon has access to the resources and support it needs to grow its economy.”
