Planning a Brighter Future
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Sustainable Economic Growth for All West Dunbartonshire’s Economic Development Strategy 2015 - 2020 F O R E W O R D Our Economic Development Strategy 2015-2020 provides a clear strategic approach to Economic Development for the local area and determines how we allocate resources to improve our economic performance. Over the last five years we have faced a challenging economic climate with the most severe recession in living memory, however our local economy has shown some resilience over the last couple of years and we have started to see improvements in the growth in the economy. We aim to build on this growth to ensure we continue to make a positive difference to our communities, our local businesses and the area. The Scottish Government’s new Economic Strategy for Scotland sets out an overarching framework to assist us to achieve a more productive, cohesive and fairer Scotland. The Strategy prioritises boosting investment and innovation, supporting inclusive growth and maintaining a focus on internationalisation. While public sector budgets are reducing and investment from the private sector continues to be a challenge, we remain optimistic that West Dunbartonshire can play its part in supporting Scotland’s economic success and we aim to ensure that the benefits of this success are shared by everyone. In response, we have developed a new Economic Development Strategy 2015-20 which reflects both the current economic climate and takes on board changes in national and local policy. The Council has strengthened its commitment to the Jobs Growth and Investment Framework with the aim of delivering more jobs and training opportunities within the local economy. The Council has set aside a significant additional budget to assist with the creation of a further 3,000 jobs and training opportunities by May 2017. We have made significant progress in providing our young people with employment opportunities through the Jobs Growth Programme and through our regeneration work we will make a real difference in our community. An ambitious plan has been developed for the 98 acre Queens Quay site in Clydebank; our innovative agreement with the private landowners to invest £15.62m over three years will deliver over 1,000 new homes and attract £250m of private sector investment in the longer term. We are developing the Exxon site at Bowling through the Clyde Valley City Deal which has allocated £27.89m of investment over the next six years. Inward Investments of industrial and commercial types will be important in achieving the creation of up to 600 jobs and subsequent Gross Value Added (GVA) target of almost £20m. Developments at Clydebank Town Centre, Bowling Basin and Dumbarton Rock and Castle will be led by recently prepared Charrette action plans. These plans have benefitted from significant input by local communities and stakeholders and will drive actions and external funding bids for these areas over the next five years. In West Dunbartonshire, the Council has developed excellent partnerships with national and local agencies. These partnerships have recently been strengthened through the launch of a joint partnership approach ‘working4business’ which provides a single place for businesses to access the support they need from our public sector partner agencies to successfully grow and create new employment. It is through these strong partnerships and relationships that we intend to deliver our new Economic Development Strategy. I look forward to the Council working with the national and local partners, the public, private and voluntary sectors in delivering this strategy to enable West Dunbartonshire to continue to grow and prosper in the future. Patrick McGlinchey Convener, Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development 1. Introduction and background The West Dunbartonshire Council Economic Development Strategy 2015 – 2020 has been developed to provide a vision for the local authority area based on analysis of the economic characteristics and priorities of West Dunbartonshire. Over the last five years, the economic conditions have remained challenging mainly due to the continuing effects of the recession. This Strategy has therefore been developed to reflect the current economic climate and accepts that growth is likely to remain at a low level over the next few years. It has also taken cognisance of changes within local and national policy and will incorporate these in the delivery of our strategic priorities and actions. The Scottish economy has seen a period of low but sustained growth. We want to achieve more than simply a return to pre-recession levels of economic performance. We recognise that the inequality gap in West Dunbartonshire is significant and we wish to lay the foundations for good quality jobs and improvements to people’s quality of life. We will continue to focus our actions on Strategic Priorities which will drive sustainable economic growth in terms of increased employment and output to develop a more resilient, inclusive and adaptable economy. West Dunbartonshire has enormous potential to be more competitive and grasp new opportunities due to its strong strategic location, proud historical heritage and unparalleled natural assets. The Council will continue to maximise these opportunities by supporting and assisting business growth and local job creation, as well as harnessing its investment potential. Importantly, this Strategy has been developed through a consultation process which included workshops with both internal and external key stakeholders. The final result is a planned approach which benefits from widespread support from key partners. 2. National and Local Policy National Policy The Scottish Government’s new Economic Strategy published in March 2015, sets out an overarching framework to achieve a more productive, cohesive and fairer Scotland. It prioritises boosting investment and innovation, supports inclusive growth and maintains a focus on increasing internationalisation. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, has been introduced by the Scottish Government to give new rights to community organisations and new responsibilities to public sector authorities in order to increase community empowerment and engagement. This will become an increasingly important aspect of our Strategy to enhance skills and improve life satisfaction within West Dunbartonshire. As the Act comes into force we will consider how it can be used to influence inclusive economic development in our local communities. Of continuing importance will be the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Strategy 2011, which sets out a vision for Scotland to support the most disadvantaged communities and to ensure that all places are sustainable and promote well-being. The more recently produced national Town Centre Action Plan sets out a cross-government response to the External Advisory Group’s review of town centre issues in Scotland. West Dunbartonshire is already taking significant steps to improve our Town centres. Actions from the Strategy will be informed by these recommendations. The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce’s final report was published in June 2014. This report aims to ensure that local authorities work jointly to provide school pupils with access to learning which is directly relevant to a job, improving and extending careers advice and work experience, and ensuring that learning is shaped and supported by employers. All young people, regardless of any barriers they face will have fair access to these opportunities. The need to tackle inequality in Scotland is central to Scotland’s Economic Strategy 2015, which acknowledges the extra barriers often faced by women, disabled people and ethnic minorities. Examples of this can be seen in both their economic participation and in the labour market. The Wood Commission report on the future of Scotland’s young workforce highlights the under representation of black and minority ethnic people, disabled people and women in modern apprenticeships. It is important that we continue to address the inequalities in society through improved attainment in our education system and improving the environment we live in. With good quality jobs available we will be able to contribute effectively in addressing society’s gaps. Local Policy The West Dunbartonshire Single Outcome Agreement 2014 - 2017 provides a framework to define our local priorities in alignment with the Government’s Strategic priorities and to quantify them in terms of measurable outcomes. It provides a clear focus for West Dunbartonshire’s economic activities, aligning funding and investment with partners and stakeholders. This strategy has been developed in conjunction with the Employability and Economic Growth Delivery and Improvement Group (DIG). Following approval by the Council’s Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, the Community Planning Partnership will be asked to endorse the Strategy as a Partnership Strategy to further develop and regenerate the local economy. In response to persistently high levels of unemployment, the Council invested in a flagship Jobs Growth and Investment Programme. The main aim of this programme is to deliver the maximum possible number of jobs and Modern Apprenticeships for the area. A significant additional budget has been set aside annually to support an additional 3,000 jobs by end of 2016/17. The Council and its Community Planning partners have developed and launched ‘working4business’. This innovative initiative brings together the