INCLUSIVE GROWTH COMMISSION

PROSPECTUS OF INQUIRY ‘I am most anxious that the planning should be such that different income groups living in the New Towns will not be segregated. No doubt they may enjoy common recreational facilities, and take part in amateur theatricals or each play their part in a health centre or a community centre. But when they leave to go home I do not want the better-off people to go to the right, and the less well-off to go to the left. I want them to ask each other ‘are you going my way?’’

- Lewis Silkin on the New Towns Bill, 1946 F O R E W O R D

Contents On 30 September 1948 Lewis Yet it doesn’t feel like that for many Silkin, Clement Atlee’s Minister people who live in the Borough. We of Town and Country Planning, are also home to some of the most came to and addressed a economically disadvantaged areas in the 1 Introduction large gathering at the High Road country. Something is holding us back. school with the words: “ For far too long now, too many people in 2 Commission Research Themes will become a city which people the Basildon Borough have been locked from all over the world will want out of the economic opportunities that 3 Existing Data to visit. It will be a place where exist here. all classes of community can 4 Aims & Objectives meet freely together on equal While this two track economy is not terms and enjoy common cultural unique to Basildon, it clearly has its own 5 We Need You recreational facilities.” characteristics and dynamics. When I took office in Basildon Council in May Fast forward to today and the this year, I was determined we would Basildon Borough is the largest make it a prime purpose of the Council

economy in and home to to do what we could to break down the global companies like Ford Motor barriers that separate these twin tracks Company, New Holland Agriculture and open up the way to a more inclusive and Konica Minolta. In the early future. Without this, we cannot fulfill 1950s its population was around the ultimate purpose of the Council – to 30,000. It is now home to more create opportunity and improve lives. than 180,000 people. We are home to over 7,000 thriving businesses, In order to move forward, we must providing more than 80,000 jobs, look around - ensuring that growth and with new start-ups increasing its benefits can translate to all groups faster than anywhere else in Essex. in the Borough, including those who We are 35 minutes from central currently feel most marginalised. We , have major road links must consider participation, not just and rail lines to two London main distribution outcomes. We must involve stations, three airports within 40 the community in both its process and its minutes and are the nearest town outcomes. Then, and only then, we can to the London Gateway Port. start to give a rebirth to our new town and build a next generation Basildon that The Borough of Basildon is alive offers a bright future to all its residents. with opportunity and has the ingredients to be one of the most This isn’t just a Commission. This is our successful and desirable places in breakthrough. the South East. - Cllr Callaghan, Chair of Policy & Resources, Basildon Borough Council

03 04 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N

This document officially marks deprived since 20102. Inclusive Growth the launch of the ‘Breakthrough Focused particularly on beginning to Basildon Borough’ Commission. enable inclusive growth in the Borough, the Commissioned by Basildon Borough Commission will examine and suggest, on Although the Commission will Council in July 2017, and carried a strategic level, the various ways in which need to determine what ‘Inclusive out by an independent Commission Basildon Borough can begin to ensure that Growth’ looks like for the Basildon panel, the Commission is dedicated it is a Borough that residents, organisations Borough, the term, defined by to explore in detail the issues and groups can not only feel proud of, but Cafod1, can be loosely described and barriers for all communities also that every single member is a part of. as: across the Basildon Borough associated with the primary visions Over the course of its duration, the 1. Having broader objectives than and objectives in the Council’s Breakthrough Basildon Borough Panel will increasing income and GDP, and Corporate Plan. be: ensuring that work is done to achieve those objectives, rather Brexit, the Industrial Strategy and - Reflecting on existing documents and than assuming that positive the Devolution Bill have highlighted reports previously carried out on the outcomes will automatically come that within the country, there is topic of and around inclusive growth in through simply creating forms of a certain feeling that its residents the Basildon Borough, paying particular ‘growth’ such as job opportunities, want to ‘take back control’. In order attention to any resultant suggestions or housing opportunities etc.; for the country to be progressive, it outcomes; must be inclusive of the people that 2. Understanding that growth is reside within it. This change has - Conducting further research through a series of participatory workshops, surveys, inclusive of gains in human and not gone unnoticed in the Basildon interviews, and community engagement societal development, as well as Borough. The Council’s Corporate Plan, alongside various local activities; economic growth; economic and social policies, speak of a need for the future - Drawing conclusions from both the 3. Ensuring that any growth and Basildon Borough to be socially previous and further research in order to its benefits can translate to all and economically sustainable, provide a strategic oversight and a clear groups in the Borough, including aspirational, and inclusive. series of strategic recommendations that the most marginalised; will identify and guide how the Council and It is increasingly recognised that the community can more effectively work 4. Considering participation, growth is not all about increasing together to unlock ability, capacity, and not just distribution outcomes; GDP, but about using wealth drive, in order to inspire change. therefore acknowledging that in and resources in a different way. order for ‘growth’ to happen this Prosperity does not trickle down to This will then be fed back to the Council in must involve the community in all automatically. In the Borough, a final meeting, with the intention that any both its process and its outcomes. we are well aware of this; recent recommendations and strategic insights statistics show that Basildon given can inform policy development, social Borough is 5th in terms of the Local and built infrastructure, and inspire real Authorities that have become more change.

1Cafod, (2014), ‘What is ‘inclusive growth? Cafod Discussion Paper (Full Version), August 2014’ [Online], 2 , R. (2015), ‘Basildon’s Level of Deprivation 2015: An Analysis of the Index of Multiple Deprivation’, 05 Available from: https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/17223/133621/file/Inclusive%20Growth%20full%20 Basildon Borough Council: Basildon Borough 06 paper.pdf 2 C O M M I S S I O N R E S E A R C H T H E M E S

Why? VISION PLACE 1 What is Inclusive Growth? 2 What makes a place? The Basildon Borough has in the Netherlands highlight its recently undergone extensive worldwide presence. social, economic, and political The Commission will need to discuss The Commission will need to change. We believe that in the Basildon what inclusive growth means to the discuss the geographic and spatial Borough, beginning to enable inclusive Basildon Borough characters that make Basildon The Council’s recent decision to growth could: Borough switch from a Leader and Cabinet form of governance in favour of - Boost household income and a Committee System highlights a overall economic opportunities in the distinct change in political control. Borough and change overall aspiration and opportunity within the borough; ECONOMY PEOPLE This step change is reflected 3 Encouraging Economical Growth 4 Encouraging Social Growth throughout the Borough in many - Close the productivity gap between forms; the Council’s Corporate the Borough and make it a more ‘equal’ Plan highlights that in order for playing field; the Borough to capture its full The Commission will need to The Commission will need to potential, it “must change” and - Drive up external interest into the discuss economic growth in the discuss social growth in the this must be done by “work[ing] Borough and ‘rebrand’ the Borough Basildon Borough, and how this can Basildon Borough, and how together effectively, all of us as one with positive connotations, as contribute to inclusive growth this can contribute to inclusive together, as one borough, with opposed to outdated stereotypical growth residents, businesses, community expectations; organisations and other public service”3. - Genuinely improve the wellbeing and lives of all living in the Basildon This inclusive vision is one Borough; that is beginning to be seen POLITICS BRIDGING THE GAP not only around the UK, but - Allow economic and social growth to Governance & Policy Inspiring Change Your Way also worldwide. Influential be felt by all that live in the Basildon 5 6 commissions such as the ‘RSA Borough. ‘Inclusive Growth’ Commission’ and the ‘Working Well Pilot’ in This can be done by exploring and Manchester have highlighted the creating recommendations from a The Commission will need to discuss In light of all of the geographic, importance of inclusive growth variety of themes. current policies and governance in economic, social, and political in the UK, whilst international the Basildon Borough, and how these factors that have been discussed, strategies such as ‘National could be changed or implemented to the Commission will need to Programme Rotterdam South’ work towards inclusive growth bring these together and suggest a way forward that will begin to enable inclusive growth in the 3 Basildon Borough 07 Basildon Borough Council, (2017), ‘Corporate Plan’, Basildon Borough Council: Basildon Borough 08 3 E X I S T I N G D A T A

The Picture So Far

The following statistics are taken homeownership nationally, the Basildon directly from Basildon Borough Borough appears to be particularly Council’s Corporate Plan. Set divided between North and South. This against the Corporate Plan’s ‘North and South divide’ can further be ‘promises’4 they give an overall seen in terms of crime, in which Basildon picture of the Borough that New Town experiences over four times as reveals: much crime as , despite having a similar number of population. This is Place: There is a huge divide in in-keeping with a recent statistic that the the Borough with how much Basildon Borough is the 6th most unequal pride people have in their city in the UK6. neighbourhoods and towns. Although residents of towns such Economic: At present, there are more as Billericay generally seem very jobs per people in the Basildon Borough. positive, places such as Basildon However, many businesses note the New Town, and Laindon difficulties of recruiting locally and seem less positive, with a 20% sourcing local labour that meets their gap between positive responses needs, which often results in hiring in some cases. This would outside of the Borough7. This lack of suggest that there is a divide suitable jobs so far has resulted in over in geographic, economic, and 40% of the Basildon Borough commuting social opportunities for them; a outside the Borough every day8. statement in-keeping with local statistics that show that whilst It is important to note that this is just 14% of the Basildon Borough is a snapshot of the Basildon Borough. within the top 10% of the least Throughout the Commission, the deprived areas in the UK, 11% of Breakthrough Basildon Borough the Basildon Borough is within Commission Panel will be looking into the top 10% of the most deprived key themes in depth, in order to provide areas in the UK5. recommendations that can allow the Borough to work towards inclusive Social: With a shift towards growth. renting as opposed to

4Basildon Borough Council, (2017), ‘Corporate Plan’, Basildon Borough Council: Basildon Borough 5Essex County Council, (2016), ‘A Profile of People Living in Basildon’, Essex County Council: Essex 6Centre for Cities, (2017), ‘Cities Outlook 2017’, [Online], Available from: http://www.centreforcities.org/ 09 reader/cities-outlook-2017/city-monitor-latest-data/#inequality 10 7Basildon Borough Council, (2017), ‘Economic Development Policy’, Basildon Borough Council: Basildon Borough 8ONS, (2011), ‘Census: Quick Statistics for England and Wales, 2011’, ONS: England 3 E X I S T I N G D A T A ( c o n t . )

11 12 4 A I M S & O B J E C T I V E S

Over the coming months, the the private sector, and the Council can How? Outreach Commission will engage and involve work together to achieve more inclusive the people who know Basildon growth in the future, ensuring that the best - its residents, communities, Borough can create an ‘economy that The Breakthrough Basildon The Breakthrough Basildon organisations, and businesses. works for everyone’9; Borough Commission will be Borough Commission will be It will be free to make its own engaging with the Borough documenting their findings investigations, consider the evidence, - Consider strategic opportunities for through: through: talk to residents, businesses, schools, the Basildon Borough both as an overall colleges and elected representatives, and as a ‘brand’, and suggest how a more Commission Panel Workshops Website which will include all of whilst participating in meaningful holistic approach may be beneficial to the to discuss what the differing the latest events, papers, reports, workshops both separately as a Borough. themes mean to the independent and activities undertaken in the Commission Panel and collectively in Commission Panel commission the form of stakeholder workshops. During and after this commission it is intended that; Stakeholder Workshops to Social Media which will include To this extent, the Breakthrough discuss what the differing Facebook, Instagram and Basildon Borough Commission aims to: - Locally, the results of the Breakthrough themes mean to the residents, Twitter, and will discuss all of Basildon Borough Commission will be organisations, and businesses in the latest events - Understand to what extent strategic used to recommend strategies for how to begin to create inclusive growth in the Basildon Borough existing social, economic and political initiatives have made an impact future Council policy, and in the Basildon Blog which will informally on Basildon Borough in ensuring Borough; Open Calls for Evidence in discuss the ongoings of the inclusive growth and the extent to which all interested parties can commission which existing policies, initiatives and - Nationally, it is hoped that our strategic share relevant information, ideas interventions have either progressed or recommendations and suggestions add to and evidence in relation to the Reports & Papers which will regressed this; existing commissions and discussions in differing themes show the outcome of workshops Central Government. and calls for evidence on the six - Understand the overall differing themes characteristics of successful places We understand that inclusive growth is and understand how, by addressing the not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ exercise, and to aim Maps which will show clearly any various socio-economic and political to have inclusive growth in the Basildon existing and new data relating to challenges in Basildon, it can become a Borough by the time the Commission inclusive growth in the Basildon Borough of more inclusive growth; draws to an end is foolish at best. To this Borough extent, it is intended that the Breakthrough - Suggest a strategic framework for Basildon Borough Commission will act Videos which will show the achieving inclusive growth in Basildon as a spearhead for the many influential, activities of the workshops and Borough, which should act as a imaginative and collaborative individuals will include interviews framework that works for everyone; and organisations in the Borough; allowing project stakeholders to carry on the - Make strategic recommendations for work of the Commission far after the how the community, the public sector, Commission’s allocated time draws to an end.

9 RSA, (2017), ‘Making Our Economy Work for Everyone’, [Online], Available from: https://www.thersa.org/ 13 discover/publications-and-articles/reports/final-report-of-the-inclusive-growth-commission 14 5 W E N E E D Y O U

Breakthrough Basildon Borough may our activities, please visit us at: www. Key Events be an ‘independent’ think tank, but breakthrough-basildon-borough.co.uk, that absolutely does not mean it is follow us on twitter @breakthroughbas, or ‘independent’ from the people that contact Megan Rourke, Project Commission Throughout the Commission, will shape it the most. Officer, at megan.rourke@breakthrough- Breakthrough Basildon Borough basildon-borough.co.uk. will be holding a series of On the contrary, however, we want you workshops and events. Please to work with us, to create something We truly hope you will support the visit us at: www.breakthrough- that we can all be proud of. In line ‘Breakthrough Basildon Borough’ basildon-borough.co.uk, follow us with the whole vision for the project, Commission by coming together and on twitter the Breakthrough Basildon Borough inspiring change, in order to make this @breakthroughbas, or Commission recognises that in order to breakthrough happen. contact Megan Rourke, Project be successful, it needs to be inclusive. Commission Officer, at megan. And why not be inclusive of those who rourke@breakthrough-basildon- are experts in the area? borough.co.uk. to find out more information. To this extent, the ‘Breakthrough Basildon Borough’ Commission is asking residents, organisations, and groups to help shape this project, and pave the way forward.

Rather than allowing this commission to be one that comes and goes, or to be one that simply redoes work that has already been done, we want this project to have longevity, and we want it to be something that carries on far after its initial life span.

In order to achieve this, we will be hosting a range of workshops and engagement activities in the Basildon Borough, alongside launching a Call for Evidence. We know that the more information and expertise we have, the more informed our responses can be, and the more we can truly pave the way forward and inspire change.

To find out how to submit evidence or engage with the Commission and

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