POWERING UP STOKE-ON-TRENT A Prospectus to secure Partnership and Investment FOREWORD Stoke-on-Trent is the Businesses and developers Through this prospectus and national litmus test for have been drawn in increasing the dialogue that follows, we the Government’s numbers by Stoke-on-Trent’s want to forge a partnership locational advantages as a that crosses all relevant levelling-up ambitions. North Midlands gateway government departments connected to all key regional and agencies. Before COVID-19 the city was infrastructure, with access undergoing the most significant to high quality, affordable transformation in its economic accommodation and a fortunes it has experienced committed local labour force. for over 30 years. Having This has been complemented been among the fastest local by a major expansion in economies to rebound from private housing development, the last recession, the city had drawn by the combination of continued to outstrip swathes an attractive location and a of the UK in terms of economic local authority with a growing growth, job creation and reputation of getting quality innovation. development away. Physical regeneration has As we look ahead beyond the been important in this process, pandemic, in a post-Brexit but alongside the cranes and landscape, we are determined resulting development, there to regain this momentum as has been a rise in levels of quickly as possible. We need confidence and aspiration Government’s support to do which have, in turn, helped to that. We know that over this recalibrate external perceptions next period there will be many of Stoke-on-Trent and its national initiatives and funds to economy. Seeing our growing support economic recovery, civic pride reflected back at us As a city, and working with in the positive media coverage our regional partners, we and the changing perspectives but we want one need to work at pace with of government, investors and Government to agree a single other important stakeholders, conversation, one set of priority projects and is fuelling local aspirations shared plan. interventions that are right and local belief in what is for this city, deliverable in the possible. We have thrown off next few years and to which the shackles of an imposed we all commit. We can then all external narrative of managed make the available resources decline to forge a fresh identity serve that agreed programme as a city punching above its and make best use of the new, weight, generating wealth fairer Treasury Green Book. from a diverse and growing industrial base. The core purpose of this joint We will need to use targeted endeavour would be to drive investment in improved Most importantly, economic development by infrastructure to connect fostering high growth sectors, to and build on the existing we have our hard- creating the high skilled well- strengths in the city. working residents, paid jobs our city needs. We must ensure that the city’s unrivalled in their residents have the quality kindness to each of education, health and skills needed to access the other and loyalty opportunities the realisation of to their city. this Prospectus would create. We will reduce individual dependency on the state and They represent a massive build the resilience of our communities through the reservoir of potential that strength of local partnerships, with the help of the right including the crucial role of the deal, can make this city voluntary and faith sectors. even greater, an economic powerhouse in the North What is most exciting about West Midlands, serving this invitation is that it describes a prospect that is the nation. eminently achievable. So much is already in place. Councillor Abi Brown We already have a city-wide Leader, Stoke-on-Trent City full fibre gigabit-enabled Council network, developable land and developers ready to invest and Jack Brereton Those priority build, amazing heritage assets, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South a network of extraordinary sectors will include green space and waterways, Jo Gideon digital, advanced two complementary MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central universities with highly manufacturing relevant offers, the potential Jonathan Gullis (especially ceramic of HS2 connectivity and major MP for Stoke-on-Trent North resident companies committed components), to the city. green energy and creative. WHERE WE START Our Key Strengths One of the fastest growing economies Growth in GVA per capita of in England ranking st in period 17.1% - for o making us the 000 th fastest growing economy obs created in the roth last five years Powerhouse eport per capita in England including London 8 ith o densit increasin aove the national average Between 2015-2018 wage levels increased by Stoke-on-Trent (3.9% 11.7% annually) 5.1m Excellent road and rail connectivity West Midlands 0 visitors a year to regional and national networks with Nationally 9.2% to local attractions potential for further improvement and museums over new homes built in 0/0 97% on brownfield land, CERAMIC VALLEY Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone ith a urther c 000 dwellings launched in 2016, is one of the most successul EZ in the UK 000 with planning permission Our Key Challenges Gross weekly pay averages at 8% th 500 Lag on all key educational indicators hihest in Stoke-on-Trent from early development through to KS5 12 proportion Worst in the region in terms of deprived neihourhoods of life expectancy and most Only 5 of people in Stoke-on-Trent Unemployment rate has doubled out of 317 councils in England other health indicators. nationally have a qualification of NVQ4 or above. durin ovid pandemic to over WHERE WE START Our Key Strengths One of the fastest growing economies Growth in GVA per capita of in England ranking st in period 17.1% - for o making us the 000 th fastest growing economy obs created in the roth last five years Powerhouse eport per capita in England including London 8 ith o densit increasin aove the national average Between 2015-2018 wage levels increased by Stoke-on-Trent (3.9% 11.7% annually) 5.1m Excellent road and rail connectivity West Midlands 0 visitors a year to regional and national networks with Nationally 9.2% to local attractions potential for further improvement and museums over new homes built in 0/0 97% on brownfield land, CERAMIC VALLEY Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone ith a urther c 000 dwellings launched in 2016, is one of the most successul EZ in the UK 000 with planning permission Our Key Challenges Gross weekly pay averages at 8% th 500 Lag on all key educational indicators hihest in Stoke-on-Trent from early development through to KS5 12 proportion Worst in the region in terms of deprived neihourhoods of life expectancy and most Only 5 of people in Stoke-on-Trent Unemployment rate has doubled out of 317 councils in England other health indicators. nationally have a qualification of NVQ4 or above. durin ovid pandemic to over PRIORITY ONE - TRANSPORT Why? • Stoke-on-Trent is superbly placed geographically, with four international airports within an hour’s drive of the city, identified by Midlands Connect as a key location for regional connectivity. • A unique, growing city at the heart of the Midlands Engine, serving the immediate North Staffordshire economy of half a million population, and sitting at a crucial north-south, east- west gateway and junction, of national significance. • Investment in rail and strategic road links is required to unlock that full economic potential, particularly with respect to HS2, the motorway network, air hubs and future freeports • Intracity public transport improvements are needed to connect the population to economic opportunities in a sustainable way. What? The city has an exciting transport improvement programme that includes the Transforming Cities Fund programme, focused on the city gateway at Stoke station and its environs, and the creation of the Etruria Valley Link Road. There is, however, much more that needs to be done. Working in close partnership with the Department of Transport, Highways England and others, we will develop at pace a refreshed transport strategy that will include : • A full assessment of the local transport improvements required to ensure the entire area is plugged into benefits of HS2 connectivity and that the city is able to make a full contribution to the success of the North Midlands Corridor. • A commitment to pursue a light rail system for North Staffordshire to act as a centrepiece of the local transport network; we are open to and will explore different technological options including very light rail. • A radical upgrade in our local bus offer, with improvement to routes and provision of low and zero-carbon vehicles. • A restored and enhanced role for local rail services, including new and reopened local line and stations, to support residential and commercial development, and existing and planned leisure development. • Significant improvements to cycling and walking routes. Transforming Cities Fund Tranche 2 & beyond How? 1. Establish feasibility of an integrated light rail system across North Staffordshire, and if feasibility is established, move swiftly to detailed design and full business case. 2. Prioritise work atStoke Station and the wider conventional rail network to facilitate HS2 Javelin services through Stoke-on-Trent, act to ensure a sufficient service continues to Manchester Piccadilly, and explore potential for HS2 services from Birmingham North via Stoke. 3. Address the neglect of local rail services by reopening the Stoke-Leek line as well as stations at Meir (already part of the Restoring Your Railway programme), Trentham and potentially, Etruria as well. 4. Work with the City Council to develop the firsthydrogen bus city in collaboration with private partner Wright Bus, improve bus routes and invest in an enhanced cycling/walking network.