Sedgemoor Economic Masterplan 2008 - 2026 Sedgemoor - the heart of the South West’s Enterprise Coast A smart economy where dynamic places, entrepreneurial businesses and independent people prosper Sedgemoor Economic Masterplan 2008 - 2026 Sedgemoor - the heart of the South West’s Enterprise Coast A smart economy where dynamic places, entrepreneurial businesses and independent people prosper CONTENTS 3.3 Increasing Educational Attainment – Skills for the Future 50 The Sedgemoor Economic Strategy 3 3.4 Closing the Skills Gap – Local People for Local Jobs 52 The Commitments 5 People Theme - Linkages 54 Sedgemoor – The Place 6 Theme 4: Business 55 Sedgemoor’s Economy Today 9 4.1 Business Infrastructure 57 The Regional / County Policy Context 11 4.2 Manufacturing – Sedgemoor’s Historic Strength 59 SWOT Analysis 22 4.3 Leading in Energy 61 Sedgemoor’s Strategic Priorities and Objectives 24 4.4 Small Business Sectors 63 Smart Growth: The spatial Distribution of New Objectives 25 4.5 Tourism 66 Theme 1: Leadership 28 4.6 Business Productivity 68 Theme 2: Place 30 Business Theme - Linkages 70 2.1 Revitalising Bridgwater 31 Delivery and Performance Management 71 2.2 Burnham on Sea & Highbridge – Transformational Pride 34 Priorities and Delivery 72 2.3 Living, Working, Thriving Rural Areas 36 Action Plan 75 2.4 Cheddar & The Hills / Levels and Moors – A Model for 38 Sustainable Leisure Leadership 75 2.5 Image and Identity 40 Place 76 2.6 Sedgemoor’s Environment – A Golden Opportunity 42 People 81 Theme 3: People 44 Business 83 3.1 Transforming Neighbourhoods 45 3.2 Building Aspiration – Breaking the Worklessness Cycle 48 2 The Sedgemoor Economic Strategy The Economic Strategy sets the goal of moving to a higher value added knowledge driven economy over the course of a single generation. Children preparing to go to school today will move in to a labour market which offers a better range of Sedgemoor in Somerset is, like the County, at a crossroads in terms of its future opportunities than those currently open to their parents. economic development, with strong population and employment growth of recent years being accompanied by some notable inward investment success. At the The Economic Strategy is for the whole of the District of Sedgemoor,with same time, underlying structural weakness in the economy means that there is a economic growth driven by Bridgwater, Burnham on Sea and Highbridge, and need to renew efforts to strengthen traditional sectors and develop new Cheddar; harnessing the potential of both urban and rural areas. While Bridgwater will employment opportunities. be the focus of inward investment and significant population growth, the coastal and rural areas of the District and its market towns have an important role to play in driving Sedgemoor is a distinctive district, shaped by its industrial strengths, its strong tourism economic growth and prosperity as an integral part of a modern, living, working offer, and its outstanding natural environment. Equidistant between Bristol and Exeter, countryside. and closely linked to nearby Taunton, it has traditionally had a rebel and individualistic streak, with an independent culture typified by having the country’s first Arts Centre in The Economic Strategy sets an ambitious agenda, involving all stakeholders, both Bridgwater and more recently its links with Joe Strummer. In addition Sedgemoor private and public sector. Its development reflects a firm partner commitment to take District Council is known for its ‘pro business’ ethos and ‘can do’ attitude and ability to the economic needs and challenges of the District seriously and raises the game in the respond effectively to opportunities – a positive attribute that should be maintained and District, moving from comparing progress with its neighbours, to working across strengthened to improve focus and quality. boundaries. These are all factors that provide a multi-layered context that have shaped Sedgemoor The Strategy is bold, challenging, outward facing and forward looking. However it today and that provide a platform from which to build a strategic framework that will is also firmly based in reality and what is achievable. shape future economic development in order to better meet local needs. In a fast changing world, nationally and internationally, and set against a period of future Bold: It seeks to galvanise both the public and private sectors to rally behind economic uncertainty, considerable challenges lie ahead if Sedgemoor is to fulfil its a clear vision of a diverse and vibrant Sedgemoor economy; obvious potential, and ensure that all those that live here benefit from renewal and growth in the long term. Challenging: It sets a new ambition for stakeholders which will require a significant strengthening of service provision and delivery functions; Sedgemoor’s unique geography that gives it competitive advantage, also provides significant future challenges. Many of the District’s potential investment sites, lying Outward facing: It links local people and businesses to the wider economy, alongside transport corridors, will become more at risk of flooding. To provide investor within the County and the Region, and through targeted marketing welcome confidence, and to deliver Sedgemoor’s ambitious plans, will require a long term more business and visitors attracted by a successful economy; solution to this issue, primarily the Parrett Barrier, as well as a focus on adaptation and mitigation. Forward looking: It focuses on the future, not the past, looking far beyond recent trends to the global challenges facing business, and the opportunities The term “Sedgemoor in Somerset” is an important one, and reinforces the potential these present; and role that Sedgemoor is able to play in the economic development of the County. Sedgemoor’s opportunities also play a major part in ensuring that the County Achievable: recognising that the strategy must lead to effective delivery. increases its contribution to the competitiveness and prosperity of the South West. This Economic Strategy and Masterplan to 2026 sets out an ambitious approach to The Economic Strategy complements the other strategies and policies developed by the challenge of establishing Sedgemoor as an economically vibrant District within the District and County Council. In particular, it complements: the region, recognising the changing global and national economic geography and the need to deliver indigenous growth, while supporting growth in, and benefiting from, The Sedgemoor District Council Corporate Plan; neighbouring towns such as Taunton and the proximity to the flourishing City of Bristol. The Sedgemoor Sustainable Community Strategy; Sedgemoor will only prosper as part of a flourishing County and Region. As such it is a The Somerset Local Area Agreement; 20 year Programme of economic transformation. 3 The Sedgemoor Local Development Framework; The Housing Strategy and work with Homes in Sedgemoor; and The emerging Financial Inclusion Strategy. It has taken account of the Somerset Economic Strategy and the Regional Economic Strategy. Many of the key actions will directly contribute to the high level objectives set out in both of these documents. It has also been developed taking account of the significant work already undertaken as part of the Bridgwater Challenge process. 4 The Commitments centre for creative, digital and media industries, with ICT infrastructure linking smaller businesses to regional, national and international networks. There are ten major commitments, which will transform Sedgemoor over the next 15 years. These are set out in more detail later in this document, and are included here to 6. A regionally significant location for inward investment,withan set out the scale of ambition to which stakeholders are committed. Although some of established programme of linking local businesses and residents to business these commitments will take place over different time periods, it will be their collective and employment opportunities from new investment and in order to grow the impact which will transform Sedgemoor and impact on businesses, communities and energy and logistics sectors. residents. In terms of people: The benefits of these commitments are of regional significance and will contribute directly to strengthening the economy of the County. Many will help to secure new 7. Bridgwater College will be the leading provider of rural based further and investment and employment which will benefit adjacent districts and build momentum higher education, with centres of excellence in sectors directly relevant to and a ‘success factor’ that will inspire and motivate others to contribute. In a number of the Sedgemoor and Somerset economy, and drawing students from all over cases, the benefits will contribute to regional priorities, notably in relation to energy England. food and drink, tourism and logistics. Many of these commitments will also support national policy objectives in a number of areas. It is therefore important that these 8. Outstanding schools, using Building Schools for the Future and the newly contributions are recognised by regional and national stakeholders and that where established Education Trust as the driver, with consistently improving appropriate, additional resources are made available. attainment levels, playing a central role in improving the opportunities available to young people in terms of University, further education and moving The commitments are: in to employment. In terms of place: 9. Rejuvenated