D R A F T Appendix 1 EASTLEIGH PROSPERITY REVIEW 2002 – 2003 CONTENTS 1. Summary 2. Mission Statement 3. Business and Enterprise 4. Education and Learning 5. Social Inclusion 6. Housing 7. The Regional Economy 8. Transportation and Communication 9. Planning and Land Supply 10. Tourism 1 D R A F T Appendix 1 1. SUMMARY This is the third annual review of the Council’s five-year prosperity strategy, Prosperity in Eastleigh 2000 - 2005. In 2000 the Council published this strategy, which reviewed all activities and plans that impacted on the well being of the inhabitants of the Borough, their individual prosperity and that of the Borough as a whole. 2001’s strategy reviewed the changes made to the Local Government Act 2000, through the provision of a new discretionary power for local authorities to ‘do anything (there are certain restrictions) to promote or improve the economic, social and environmental well being of their area’. The new legislation allowed local authorities and their partners to have a greater impact on the level of prosperity experienced within their respective areas. To this end Eastleigh Borough Council has continually been to the forefront, employing a variety of initiatives across the spectrum of prosperity, which are impacting every aspect of life within the Borough boundaries. The provision of funding by external bodies such as the European Social Fund, New Opportunities Fund and the Department for Education and Skills among others, which is delivered to the Council through the Government Office for the South East, illustrates that at regional, national and European levels the problems facing the Borough of Eastleigh, such as pockets of deprivation masked by proximity to more affluent areas, low skills levels and low average wage rates are both recognised and prioritised. This report illustrates the way the Council is consistently moving to redress these problems and improve the quality of life and the prosperity of all who live and work in the Borough. It is important that the Council is not complacent in endeavouring to maintain a prosperous local economy. There has been an unprecedented rise in redundancies and by acting on accurate research and partnership working we shall venture to meet new challenges as they arise. The Economic Development Unit of the Council also produces an Economic Profile of the Borough, which allows the Council identify the areas most in need of assistance. This profile provides the foundation for the work of the Economic Development Unit and their partners. A separate Business Support Plan is published annually, which encompasses the range of activities the Council intends to interact with the business community. The aims and objectives of this report will be achieved within the Council’s existing financial resources. Any proposal that will result in an increase in the Council’s expenditure will be subject to the normal budget processes. 2 D R A F T Appendix 1 2. MISSION STATEMENT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The aim of Eastleigh Borough Council in relation to prosperity is ‘to achieve a vibrant economy that benefits all local people’. This aim will be achieved through the following objectives: • to maintain diversity of employment within the Borough and to sustain the culture of successful new entrepreneurs; • to encourage higher standards of educational attainment and support the up-skilling of employees within local companies; • to ensure that pockets of deprivation and disadvantaged groups within the community can experience equal opportunities to accessing learning; • to maintain a joined-up approach to people’s well-being, their social and housing needs; • to ensure that Eastleigh is at the forefront of the transition to a more regional based economy and is able to access opportunities offered by the new regional government structure; • to seek to reduce traffic congestion and introduce alternative transport solutions to support a prosperous economy and healthy physical environment; • to achieve the right balance between the allocation of land for development and current need while ensuring the existing stock is fully utilised; • to take a tactical approach to tourism, which plays on the area’s strengths and targets markets where economic benefit can be achieved. 3 D R A F T Appendix 1 3. BUSINESS SUPPORT & ENTERPRISE The main aim of Eastleigh Borough Council under the area of Business Support and Enterprise is to ‘maintain diversity of employment within the Borough and to sustain the culture of successful new entrepreneurs’. This aim will be supported/realised through the following objectives: • to encourage a strong business enterprise culture within the Borough; • to improve the competitiveness of local firms through a range of business support initiatives; • to develop closer links with the business community and enable more local firms to benefit from the Borough Council’s support; • to continue to support initiatives to encourage greater use of local supply chains; • to work with local health partners to promote better workforce health; • to limit the damaging effects of unrestrained growth on the environment, health and the quality of life through encouraging sustainable development; • to work with the Police and other crime reduction agencies to reduce crime against businesses and • to investigate staff retention and motivation within companies to identify barriers to competitiveness. 2002 – 2003 BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE ACHIEVEMENTS A range of Economic Development initiatives has been delivered through partners and will be detailed in the Service Level Agreement Appendix of the final document. Achieved the national award of Beacon status in the area of ‘Fostering Business Growth’. Received and answered in excess of 300 non-property business support enquiries including requests for economic information, business support and signposting. Produced and distributed an Industrial Estates Guide and Business Directory. Continued the awarding of the £500 grant scheme for new entrepreneurs. 4 D R A F T Appendix 1 Continued enhancement of links with the South West Hampshire Enterprise Hub at Chilworth. Co-host a major business exhibition at the Rose Bowl for Eastleigh businesses. Publish a ‘Guide to Doing Business with your Local Council’ to encourage local purchasing and trading. Deliver best practice seminars to over 100 other local authorities to disseminate our approach to Fostering Business Growth. Achieved an occupancy rate of approximately 95% in both the Eastleigh Business Centre and Council owned industrial units. Achieved a 97% occupancy of the new Community Enterprise Centre at Barton Park. Continued to chair the Eastleigh Business Support Network to ensure that the enterprise and other agencies are focused on delivering the optimum service to local businesses while avoiding duplication of some services to the detriment of others. The Small Business Club (B2Be), which was established in 2000, increased its membership to encompass suitable beneficiaries of the Eastleigh Entrepreneurs scheme. A business research survey of 2,760 companies in the Borough was undertaken. Continued to provide assistance to Businesses under the two ESF projects, Skills for Competitiveness and Eastleigh Entrepreneurs. The former is run through IBP Training and Employment. Eastleigh Entrepreneurs aims to maintain a caseload of micro businesses within the Eastleigh area with the objective of increasing their survival rates and competitiveness. The project offers a range of support to company’s including free business advice, seminars, training and access to professional advisors. To date the project has held 31 training events and worked with 80 companies. Improvements were carried out to Fryern Commercial Centre which will include CCTV, new seating and street furniture. Improvements to Ashdown Road shops were also undertaken. KEY BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE ACTIVITIES 2003 – 2004 Eastleigh Borough Council, in partnership with the charity Enham, will continue to operate the Community Enterprise Centre at Barton Park. This scheme offers low cost business accommodation to charitable or voluntary organisations and is home to 19 organisations. 5 D R A F T Appendix 1 Implementation of the Business Support Plan in order to enhance the survivability and development of indigenous businesses. The continuation of the Eastleigh Entrepreneurs project as detailed above. Further work to act on the findings of the Business Survey 2002. Provision of Business Start-Up seminars for local people. Production of a revised Business Support Plan, marketing literature and support activity. Targeted training support for businesses including short seminars and contribution to employee development training. The Council will continue to encourage inward investment to the Borough through liasing with the surrounding authorities in promoting the region and by offering a personal service to local companies wishing to relocate. Specific targeting of women (who are under represented in the labour market) to encourage more self-employed business start-ups in this sector. Responding to economic change by offering more direct support to employees affected by redundancy. Instigate a programme of ‘aftercare’ with SEEDA and major employers in Eastleigh to identify issues at an early stage. Encourage private sector involvement in the Eastleigh Local Strategic Partnership. Investigations into the redevelopment of the Central Precinct in Chandler’s Ford. Investigations into the redevelopment of the former filling station site on Hiltingbury