How Wakefield Is Becoming a Hub for Inclusive Growth
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LOOKING GOOD How Wakefield is becoming a hub for inclusive growth A special supplement produced by WAKEFIELD Securing a good deal Austin Macauley discovers why Wake eld has become a hotbed for investment and how it’s harnessing growth that’s good for everyone hen it comes to writing the story of the quickly possible and which seizes opportunities when scheme. They charged to London and refused to leave north of England’s economic renaissance they arise. the bankers’ offices until an agreement had been reached. in a few years’ time, Wakefield will Many councils declare themselves ‘business-friendly’ After much negotiation – and numerous calls to contacts Wwarrant its own chapter. but Wakefield takes it to a different level. When Peter – the project was back on track. It will be a tale of a city that punched way above its and his officers discovered an entrepreneur was looking ‘When schemes like that stop in the north of England, weight, defied convention, went the extra mile to attract for premises in Manchester to open a creative hub they what people see is a lack of interest and a place that’s investment and proved there doesn’t have to be a trade off invited him to join them for the start of the Tour De struggling,’ says Joanne. ‘That’s why they take on greater between economic and social objectives. Yorkshire in Wakefield, to experience the district and meaning. Half the story is already written. Despite being show him Rutland Mills – part of the city’s historic ‘Our role as a local authority is to protect Wakefield relatively small – around 325,000 people live across waterfront area. The result? Wakefield will now be home – our place – it’s about promoting hope and aspiration.’ its diverse district – it has the 30th largest economy in to Tileyard North, the ‘northern extension’ of the world Wakefield has changed a lot since then, not least the UK and in the last decade has seen its city centre famous Tileyard Studios in London. in its self-confidence. It has gone on to form a strong transformed thanks to more than £400m of investment. That dogged determination to seal the deal was never partnership with the city of Xiangyang in China and is Stunning modern architecture, such as the more evident than in 2008 when development of Trinity developing trade links with Poland. internationally renowned Hepworth Gallery, has now Walk, a major new shopping centre in Wakefield city joined the city’s abundance of historic listed buildings, centre, ground to a halt. Chief executive Joanne Roney Aiming for Good Growth including Wakefield Cathedral and its 247ft spire. and director of regeneration Andy Wallhead were A willingness to be business-friendly and fight for Wakefield has one of the fastest growing economies backed by members to do whatever it took to save the investment doesn’t mean Wakefield will accept growth at within the Leeds city region, which itself is the biggest economic area outside London, and it now boasts two new train stations – both with direct links to London. Transformational infrastructure projects are well Making the most of devolution advanced across the district and new homes are being delivered at levels way above target. The next few years will see a pipeline of projects come to fruition – from Backed by a £1bn deal from Government, West to access funding that helps them upskill their plans to create a world class cultural industries hub Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Leeds city workforce and grow. to a business incubation centre – as well as a host of region LEP are at the forefront of devolution in It has secured more than £325,000 in grant funding, investment-ready sites. England. resulting in over £650,000 being spent by businesses The level of investment in this corner of West Wakefield Council has a box seat in this shift with in training and development. Wakefield is second Yorkshire is all the more remarkable when you consider leader Cllr Peter Box chairing the combined authority only to Leeds in terms of successful applications. It’s it’s happened during one of the worst recessions on record and chief executive Joanne Roney leading on the skills a proactive relationship with Wakefield seeking to and has been led by Wakefield Council in a period of agenda. make the most of the funding available and the close unprecedented local government cutbacks. The local authority has already been highly partnership working it nurtures. Cllr Peter Box, leader of the Labour-run local successful in securing money from the West Yorkshire ‘We are really comfortable with our proximity authority, says the key to success has been the council’s Transport Fund with seven schemes receiving to Leeds,’ says Joanne. ‘We understand where we fit willingness to invest ‘in pretty tough times’ and to build investment. alongside our combined authority and our place in strong relationships with the private sector. It’s a proactive The same goes for the combined authority’s Skills this city region. We know where best to collaborate approach that seeks to ensure decisions are taken as Service with the council helping the district’s business and understand what our offer is.’ WAKEFIELD Think you know Wakefield? ‘Lots of people • it has 8,700 businesses talk about good • it’s made up of one city, 11 towns and numerous villages growth but as a • around 60% of the district is rural local authority ‘We want to grow • it’s one of the most accessible places in the UK we have a totally the economy but by road and rail joined-up make sure that • it has the 30th largest economy in England (worth approach… it’s in £6.37bn) everybody bene ts’ our DNA’ • £213m of private sector investment was secured Cllr Peter Box, leader in 2015-16 Joanne Roney, chief executive • it’s home to global companies including Coca Cola and Haribo any cost. Wakefield Together Partnership, which brings The Good Growth agenda is about ensuring those jobs together business, council and voluntary and community It’s also about leading by example to encourage are high quality and can be accessed by local people. sector leaders and is chaired by Peter, recently published investment. A skills summit, held in July, has been used to shape a its Good Growth strategy. It sets out how partners will The council invested in The Hepworth Wakefield new education and skills strategic plan to ensure children work together to deliver economic growth in a way that gallery as local government cutbacks kicked in because are ready for school when the start, to prepare young works for all residents. ‘we recognised the economic importance it would have people for work and raise overall skills levels. ‘We want to grow the economy but make sure that in terms of tourism and the benefit to the local economy’, ‘Lots of people talk about good growth but in everybody benefits,’ says Peter. ‘We know some areas of says Peter. It took the same pragmatic approach when it Wakefield we have a totally joined-up approach in terms the district are deprived and some people are finding it came to building Wakefield One, a £30m facility with of partnerships alongside an economic growth agenda,’ tough to make ends meet. We don’t want to create a twin- council offices, business facilities, a museum, library and says Joanne. ‘It’s written through us – it’s in our DNA. It’s track economy. social enterprise-run café. It’s saved the council £1m a year not just about having a plan but also a philosophy and an ‘It’s quite telling that the people who are leading and is now the lynchpin of the burgeoning Civic uarter. approach.’ on Good Growth are the business sector, Wakefield ‘I didn’t get a single letter of complaint about the cost As far as the council’s leader is concerned, the ideal Enterprise Partnership, and they are totally committed because we explained to people why we were doing it,’ he conclusion to the story of Wakefield’s renaissance would to it.’ says. ‘It’s now a public building that they feel is theirs. involve one thing: a university. The confidence the business community has in the ‘We are a very pragmatic local authority, we have strong ‘If I could wish for just one thing it would be university council stems from the local authority’s track record of principles but we realise the reality of having to deliver a status,’ he says. ‘I believe it would make a big difference. delivery – whether it’s supporting businesses to grow, balanced budget and reduce some services. When you It would be good if young people didn’t have to leave the making it easy for new firms to invest in the city or make these kinds of decisions you give the public a bit of district to go to university. A large number of people want pushing ahead with vital infrastructure projects. confidence and that buys you a bit of patience – they can that to happen – business people, the council and the Good Growth in Wakefield is also about establishing see we know what’s important and that we think about college.’ the links between different aspects of the local authority’s the future.’ The local authority and Wakefield College have work. It has listened to businesses and understands that The council has purchased a number of key buildings secured funding from West Yorkshire Combined they want to work with a council that is joined up in its in the Civic uarter and is now working with developers Authority for a University Centre, which will open next approach, not just the strategic thinking, but in real terms.