Strategy Discussion Paper - Draft July 2017
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West of England Strategy Discussion Paper - Draft July 2017 The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) covers Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. WestWECA also supportsof the LocalEngland Enterprise Partnership, which includes Strategy North Somerset. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) covers Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. WECA also supports the Local Enterprise Partnership,Discussion which includes North Somerset. paper West of England Strategy Discussion Paper “Our vision is to be a beacon of growth and innovation; a place where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential and where prosperity delivers for everybody.” 2 Contents Foreword Tim Bowles ..................................... 4 Foreword Steve West .......................................5 Map of region ..............................................6 Context ................................................. 7–8 Regional data ........................................... 9–10 Our vision for the West of England .........................11 1. Businesses that succeed ........................12–13 2. World class skills for employment ..............14–16 3. Infrastructure fit for the future ..................17–21 Future direction of travel ...............................22–23 3 Foreword Tim Bowles In the spring of 2017 I had the privilege of being elected as the first Mayor of the West of England, a region about which I am passionate. I take on this challenge at a time Three priorities are beginning to of considerable strength. Growth emerge: in the region has exceeded the national average, productivity is z The first is to build on our the highest of all the core cities strengths as a leader in and the region is a net contributor innovation, high tech and to the UK economy. There is a creativity and continue to nurture businesses that succeed. high level of employment and Tim Bowles many of the businesses located z The second is to close the gap West of England Mayor here are at the forefront of global in life chances that is shaped by excellence. where you live, by ensuring that educational attainment is good But the region is not without for all and meets the skills needs challenges. While our industries of businesses located here. continue to thrive and drive z The third will be to put the growth, the advantages of that foundations in place both to growth don’t always touch every create more homes that are community. The impact of a affordable, and to improve our growing population is being felt by roads, cycle and pedestrian our transport system and housing, routes. and we will need to ensure that jobs are available to our residents I believe we have a great by supporting businesses to opportunity, working together, to innovate and succeed. get this right and I would like to I have been listening to what hear what you think on this draft people have been telling me Regional Strategy. about their priorities. Over the next four years, and in partnership with the councils and business, I want to lead a region that delivers on economic growth. 4 Foreword Steve West The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has a crucial role to play in bringing the business and university voice to the table. Our aspiration is to make sure the region continues to be a driving force for economic and knowledge growth in the UK. To do this we need to get serious No one should underestimate about how we work together to the determination of the West of promote the unique benefits of England LEP to make a difference the region. We have a lot to offer. to the region. We are fully behind We are a global leader in creativity this draft Regional Strategy and innovation, where micro- discussion document and will do Professor Steve West CBE electronics and processing power everything in our power to create Vice Chancellor, President comes together with software an ambitious, prosperous and and Chief Executive Officer development and digital design. sustainable future for all to benefit. of the University of West of Our easy connection with London, the UK, the EU and the rest of England and Interim Chair the world makes us a safe bet for of the West of England significant investment to drive Local Enterprise sustainable business growth. Partnership 5 Map of region Thornbury Thornbury SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Yate Severn Estuary Port of Yate Bristol Severn Estuary Portishead River BRISTOL Port of Avon Bristol Kingswood Clevedon Portishead River BRISTOL Avon River Bristol Keynsham Avon Bath Kingswood Airport Clevedon NORTH SOMERSET Weston-super-Mare BATH AND NORTH River EAST SOMERSET Bristol Keynsham Avon Airport Bath NORTH SOMERSET Radstock Weston-super-Mare BATH AND NORTH © Bristol Design BD9179 EAST SOMERSET Radstock 6 Context The West of England is a prosperous city region with growth that has exceeded the national average over the past 15 years. Productivity is the highest of all the core cities and we are a net contributor to the UK economy. Our GDP per head is higher than Bordeaux and Barcelona and similar to Hannover. The West of England is made up of the Combined Authority area (Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire) and North Somerset. At the heart of this success lie However, this strong performance Added to this, inequality is a some of the region’s core and the region’s contribution significant challenge. Although strengths: to the wider economy cannot the region performs well on be taken for granted. The West most indicators of poverty, the z Our connections to the rest of of England faces challenges headline figures mask pockets the UK and the world through that pose a real threat to future of deprivation. Growth must be our motorway, rail, air and prosperity: within environmental limits and its sea links help our businesses benefits must be shared if we are to compete nationally and z Recently productivity has to secure the prosperity of current internationally; levelled off; and future generations. z We have a highly skilled, z Skills shortages constrain talented workforce, many of growth across key sectors that We should avoid being whom are educated at our are important to the economy; complacent about economic growth that compares well with world class universities or are z The region’s transport system many cities across the UK and the attracted by the high quality is under strain; jobs on offer. The strong, EU. When compared to the most z Housing delivery and vibrant and diverse cultural and productive European cities like affordability is a critical issue; leisure opportunities coupled Amsterdam and Hamburg, our with our outstanding natural z Across the region the speed performance falls short. In 2014 environment, encourages and connectivity of broadband our GDP per capita was 55 per them to stay; is variable; cent of Amsterdam’s and 65 per cent of Hamburg’s. To compete at z We are home to clusters of z Climate change means a global level we should aspire to world leading sectors e.g. future growth must be more this level of performance. aerospace, financial and environmentally sustainable; professional services, creative z The impact of Brexit on the and digital, and emerging region is unclear, creating sectors such as robotics, some uncertainty. artificial intelligence (AI), driverless cars and assisted living supported by Smart Cities and Smart Housing. 7 So what does this mean? We are determined to build on The establishment of the West With the right investment and our strengths to address the of England Combined Authority commitment from policy makers, challenges faced by the region, provides the opportunity to build we have the foundations in place ensuring that we continue to be on partnership working across to ensure that we can continue to a key driving force for economic council boundaries to drive be a beacon for innovation and growth in the UK and that the economic growth. Devolution growth. A place where everyone benefits of growth are shared by unlocks a billion pounds of has the opportunity to reach all our residents. Growth must be funding over the next 30 years. We their potential and where supported by quality infrastructure will work with the Government prosperity delivers for everyone. and geared to delivering vibrant, to explore further devolution and This Regional Strategy provides inclusive communities. investment that help to unblock the opportunity to build a the challenges we face. As a highly powerful ‘place based’ approach self-contained region, with 90 but to achieve this we need the per cent of those living here also right support from Government working here, we might conclude to keep us firmly on the map. that any investment made will context benefit our residents. 8 Thornbury SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Yate BRISTOL Kingswood Portishead BRISTOL Clevedon Keynsham 1,131,300 Weston-super-Mare BATH Radstock NORTH SOMERSET BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET 89% urban population West of England Total Population (2016): 11% rural focused 1,131,300 (ONS Population estimates) Airport – 122 destinations; including 7 major European hubs Bristol Port - 25% of aviation fuels into the UK £31.7bn GVA £32.60 £31.80 (2015) WofE ave. UK ave. 25% Productivity - GVA per hr worked (2015) 9 43,813 active enterprises (2016) Home to 9 out of 12 of the largest aerospace companies in England. 47.9% educated to NVQ level 4 + compared to 41.2% for England £262,800 £220,000 Average house National Average prices in the West for house prices of England 26,006,364 13,665,112 passengers in 2015/16 passengers in 2004/05 10 Our vision for the West of England The West of England is fast becoming a super-connected region – nationally, internationally and digitally. Our solid economic foundations, adaptability and collaborative nature are coupled with a vibrant, diverse and creative culture. Boosted by the right infrastructure investment, we can build an even stronger community, giving residents a great place to live and access to the best employment opportunities.