Outstanding Economy 18th July 2013 workforce The best trained Background Information Background what you may not know about ... may you what

Buckinghamshire Case Conference Case Buckinghamshire

Heart of Britain of Heart The Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial The

1.0 Introduction

Buckinghamshire has a successful track record of delivery and we are still delivering exciting and successful schemes. We have many areas of pent up potential that will deliver even more economic growth. As a highly successful economy, we are likened to the Golden Goose and the Engine for the UK, but we are starting to fray at the edges.

Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP) was formed in January 2012 as the last of the 39 LEPs. It is a business-driven partnership of equals between the Private Sector and Local Government, and balances a uniquely strong collective business voice with a cohesive elected local leadership. We have come together to engineer the conditions needed to reverse our competitive decline, rebuild our prosperity, and grow our net contributions to the wider UK Economy.

1.1 BUSINESS IS AT THE HEART OF ALL THAT WE DO Strong dynamic business insight and input will mean more of the right things get done, at the right time, and in the right order. The LEP secretariat is home to over 3,000 firms who between them employ almost 35% of our private sector workforce, and is led by a dedicated board of entrepreneurs covering the key business sectors, sizes and locations . Like many other LEPs, the in-kind contribution of Public and Private partners is already significant, but perhaps unlike others our Private Sector has contributed a six figure sum in hard cash to augment the cash injected by our Local Authorities.

We have close dialogue with all main business representative organisations, and have business-only local action groups in each of our main towns. We are closely engaged with our local MPs and have established strong relationships with all neighbouring LEP areas, based on an outcome focus, including SEMLEP and Oxfordshire LEP on the £400m East West Rail project which will unlock significant economic benefits; Hertfordshire LEP on our shared £16m broadband investment, and Oxfordshire on Digital Business First looking at 5G and 6G mobile broadband.

1.2 OUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE ACTION ORIENTATED Buckinghamshire is an ambitious community. Despite difficult economic times Buckinghamshire County Council recently doubled its investment into economic development, realising the central importance of employment not just to GDP but to health and wellbeing. District Councils and others continue to successful deliver projects, examples of which are in this booklet. All five Local Authority Leaders sit on the BTVLEP Board.

Despite austerity conditions all our local authorities have prioritised economic development. For example more houses were built in Vale last year than ever before and recent investments include a new Theatre, a new Conference Centre, and the arrival of Europe’s largest milk processing plant bringing 1,000 new jobs. Wycombe are delivering a significant scheme next to Junction 4 of the M40, Handy Cross, which will deliver 1,300 new jobs. Each District has a different set of challenges but all are acutely tuned to the need for a strong sustainable business base. 1.3 WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH ALONE Our rural nature belies a net contributing economy where on average each additional job produces around 40% more GVA than those in cities like Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool. Each Bucks resident contributes on average over £4,500 net to HM Treasury each year. We have reached the point where more of these surpluses need to be returned to renew our uncompetitive infrastructure which lies behind accelerating industrial disinvestment and the largest outward-commuting workforce of any LEP.

This background paper provides an overview of our LEP and summarises some areas that we will prioritise for growing Buckinghamshire’s contribution to national prosperity. We will build on this more at the 18th July Case Conference where we will take you through some “asks”. Our message is simple, all we ask is that you give us these small things and we’ll blow the doors off on productivity that will deliver a greater return on investment and help drive the UK’s economic recovery.

2.0 Where Is Bucks ?

2.1 LOCATION With excellent road, rail and airport links to London, Oxford and onward to Birmingham, the Midlands and South East, Buckinghamshire is an ideal location for any business looking to establish a British operation.

The county has five major international airports on its doorstep (Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick), less than an hour’s drive from London and Oxford and is 30min by train from London. It’s the entrepreneurial outlook of its people and outstanding local support for business that puts it on the map as a preferred destination for many overseas companies.

Many of these new companies have located in Buckinghamshire because of its reputation for creating an environment conducive to rewarding the ingenuity, creativity, ambition and dedication of its entrepreneurs.

2.2 PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Bucks is leading a strong partnership with the GTV6LEP Consortium, together we border over 60% of London.

We are starting to explore working with London Enterprise Panel, Greater Cambridge and Peterborough and others.

We are keen to build on our EU projects and our FDI networks to establish links with other ‘world class’ regions around the world.

3.0 Bucks In Numbers

Headline Buckinghamshire facts that demonstrate we are a successful economy delivering economic success for the nation.

Buckinghamshire has an outstanding economy:  2nd fastest growing economy in the UK;

 5th highest productivity rate, better than any City area;  £12 billion economy;  over represented in 4 Growth Sectors: ICT including film & digital media; advanced engineering; food & drink; assisted living.

We are the Entrepreneurial Heart of Britain:  73 enterprises start per 10,000 residents, the highest enterprise rate of any area outside London;  the business start up rate is 40% above the national average;  6th in the country for highest rate of patents per 100,000 residents;  after 5 years, 50%+ of early stage businesses are th trading and exhibiting growth: the 5 in the country;  BUT, even after BDUK roll out over 23,000 premises wont be able to access NGA broadband (less than

2MB/sec).

We have the best trained workforce:  1st in schools performance as monitored by government.  95% of our residents hold an NVQ1 or above qualification (the highest in the country)  Top productive workforce: Gross Value Added per hour worked is ranked 4th in England.  GVA is 14% above national average in Greater Thames Valley - GTV6;  41% of working - age residents in 2012 had achieved a University Degree or equivalent qualification  2 universities: Buckinghamshire New University & University of (UK’s only private university).  2 colleges: Amersham & Wycombe College and Aylesbury College.  one of the first 14 University Technical Colleges In the Country. 

BUT we have a brain drain:  of the 1,500 university graduates and 12,500 college students per year;  19 out of 20 of our young people go to university outside the County and don’t return. The area has numerous locational advantages:  30 minutes drive to London;  under 30 minutes by train to Marylebone;  5 junctions lead off the M40 motorway; M25 motorway comes into the area;  5 airports within 1.5 hours drive (40 minutes to Heathrow and Luton, 85min to Gatwick and Stansted, 95min to Birmingham).

It is a beautiful place to live:

 4th largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain;  1/3 of the County is designated as Green Belt;  BUT, house prices are 3rd Highest outside London;  AND, Business floor space shrunk by 35,000m2 since the recession

We have a strong business base :  29,485 active businesses are succeeding in Buckinghamshire;  over 700 foreign companies have their EU offices in Buckinghamshire;

Over £500m of successful projects delivered in Buckinghamshire, are outlined over the next pages.

4.0 Buckinghamshire Delivers 4.1 Aylesbury

Over £110m of major developments have been delivered in Aylesbury town already and more are planned to deliver a wider economic strategy that is more than town centre regeneration.  Transport hub & Bourg Bridge - £19m  Parkway - £15m  Vale Park - £1.5m  Waterside Education Centre - £16.5m  Aqua Vale Refurb - £5.4m  Theatre - £48m (£2.3m add spend)  Waitrose, car park, Travelodge - £18m+

A summary of future plans:  improved public realm & pavilions  14,000 sqm of retail offer including new anchor store  over 200 new residential units  4,000 sqm of culture offer including restaurants  420 car parking spaces

4.2 High Wycombe

£200m+ of impressive developments have been delivered in High Wycombe :  £125m Eden regional retail offer;  £45m Sainsbury’s redevelopment around the Dovecot car park;  £10m improvements to J4 of the M40 and a Cressex Link Road;  £20m Bucks New University’s development of its main campus.

By 2026 High Wycombe Town will be a uniquely appealing and attractive destination with a thriving economic centre, and a high quality public realm. The images to the right & below illustrate:  economic growth potential;  thriving economic centre;  improved Pedestrian landscape, less dominated by roads;  changes to traffic flow around the town centre, including Abbey Way flyover;  better connected town centre;  high quality public spaces;  making the River Wye a feature.

4.3 Pinewood Studios

 100,000 sq. metres of current accommodation.  Over 300 independent media and production support companies on site.  Oxford Economics reports that every £1 of tax credits invested generates £12 of GDP.

 Pinewood has developed a 15-20 Year Growth Strategy.

 Currently 1,700 direct jobs (on-site) and 3,000 indirect jobs.  Both could double to provide almost 10,000 jobs if the expansion plans are agreed by the Secretary of State.

4.4 Silverstone A 20 year Master Plan is in place to deliver:  c. 8,400 permanent jobs;  An additional c.550 construction jobs per annum throughout the development phase.  Business park (122,519 sqm).  Technology park (62,662 sqm).  Education campus (34,658 sqm).  Three hotels (39,847 sqm).  Ancillary retail & spectator facilities

(61,964 sqm).  promotional & experiential automotive display space (18,600 sqm).  Improved leisure and event spaces, (65,075 sqm).

4.5 Handy Cross

 £30m Leisure Centre: will provide an eight lane 50m pool; learner pool; gym; 12 court sports hall; bowls (four rink); two squash courts  33,000 sqm Office development: on the site will attract major office occupiers and create up to 1,300 new jobs.  Transport links: a Coachway Park & Ride will bring improved between High Wycombe and the surrounding area, as well as within the town itself  4,000 sqm Foodstore

 150 bed hotel

4.6 Cressex Island

 £50m retail development scheme to create 100 new jobs (FTE)  Next will invest in a new building providing c.7,300sm of floorspace with an investment value of £14m.  The remaining part of the Island is under offer to a warehouse club operator for a 13,500 sm building. This will bring an estimated investment value of £35m.

4.7 Bucks New University

 Since 2006, £62m has been invested in campus transformation at Bucks New University (BNU).  This includes a Royal Institute of British

Architects (RIBA) award winning state of the art complex, known as the

Gateway, which opened in 2010.  BNU are also developing a University Skills Centre in Aylesbury Town centre as part of the town’s masterplan and to meet the Universities expansive drive to meet the demand of employers.  The University of Buckingham is the other HE facility in Buckinghamshire, the only private university in the UK

4.8 University Technical College

 £10m new development of a Buckinghamshire University Technical College (UTC).  Doors will open in September 2013.  Capacity for up to 200 students aged 14-19 years old to take specialist

courses in Construction or IT.  Courses driven by local employers McAfee Security, Cisco, Esri UK, Taylor Wimpy and Bucks New University.

4.9 Wycombe College Campus

£7m investment in a campus redevelopment at Flackwell Heath, by Amersham & Wycombe College.

The redevelopment comprises improved services for 1,000 learners, including:

 new Construction Skills Centre incorporating Environmental Technology facilities  landmark main reception with improved accessibility  completely remodelled facilities for Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities

(LLDD)  completely refurbished teaching and staff rooms  creation of additional external social space

4.10 Paralympics &

Stoke Mandeville, as well as being the birthplace of the Paralympics, has development plans for the hospital and stadium.

Hospital Site:  16 hectares  2,600 staff work on site

 approx 480 beds (this flexes from time to time).  Outpatient visits – 180,000 p.a.  Inpatient admissions – 40,000p.a.  A&E attendances – 80,000 p.a.

Stoke Mandeville Stadium:  Community Usage 450,000 p.a.  6 International Events in 2012  150 ft jobs supported by site  15,000 hotel bed nights p.a.

4.11 Housing

 Buckingham Park: A major development area to the north of Aylesbury will be the location of over 1,000 new homes, a new primary school and local centre. Over 800 homes are already occupied, with a further 80 under construction.  : This major development area to the north west of Aylesbury will be the

location for over 3,200 new homes, a new secondary school with extensive

community facilities (opening September 2013) and a local centre, including employment land. Over 400 homes are already occupied, with a further 240 under construction.  Wycombe over 500 units have been completed a year since 2006 (3,538 in total).  Broughton Crossing: has plans for 2,500 units. Section 106 agreements are out with developers.

4.12 East West Rail

 Accessibility across the district will be improved when the railway line between Aylesbury, Bicester and Milton Keynes is reopened to passenger traffic by the end of 2017.  A new station at Winslow is proposed as part of the proposals.  The Western Section of East West Rail, which has been included in the government’s rail

investment programme for 2014 to 2019, will link Aylesbury, Oxford and Reading with Bedford and Milton Keynes.  The new rail link could generate up to 12,000 jobs along the route and increase business investment opportunities.

5.0 Closing Comments

From 2008 to 2011, Buckinghamshire’s productivity has grown faster than for the country as a whole, and 14th among all NUTS 3 areas, demonstrating resilience in the face of recession.

Of the ten most productive places in England, four are in London, three are county council areas and three are either unitary authorities or groups of unitaries. The highest placed wave 1 City Deal area is Bristol, ranking 17th and the only one to better the national level. Of the 20 wave 2 City Deal areas Reading, as part of Berkshire, and Swindon are best placed. Derby ranks 10th.

Since the start of the recession, no wave 1 city deal has bettered Buckinghamshire’s performance, while Leeds, Greater Manchester and Nottingham have seen their productivity fall compared to the national level.

The chart below shows that Buckinghamshire has outperformed all of these areas and will continue to do so.

We encourage you to seek to invest in success. We will deliver you the economic growth you seek. We are committed to producing excellence and have the track record to show this. We look forward to the Case Conference

discussion on the 18th July where we will outline our plans and how you can share in this success.

Alex Pratt OBE Bucks Thames Valley LEP Chairman

Appendix

Appendix 1 – Map of Business Locations in Buckinghamshire

Appendix 2 – UKTI Managed Accounts – April 2013

Acuvate Software Ltd. Grunenthal Ltd

Affymetrix Hudson Energy Supply UK Limited

Allergan Hyundai Motor UK

Aptiv Solutions UK Ltd Idexx Laboratories Ltd

Arla Foods IMImobile Europe Ltd.

Axis Network Technology Imperial Commercials

Beckman Coulter UK Ltd Instron (part of Illinois Tool Works ITW)

Chervon Europe Ltd Joy Max

Cofely GdF-Suez McCormick UK Ltd

Crucell UK Ltd Pricol Technologies (Europe) Ltd

Daiichi Sankyo UK Ltd Stibo Catalog Limited

Draeger Medical UK Ltd Takeda UK Ltd eTracker UK Teleflex

Fastleansmart UK Limited Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd (UK)

F-Secure UK Ltd. The Perfume Shop

GaN Systems United Coffee

GE Healthcare Vtech Regional Office - Telecommunication Products

GlobalizeMe UK Ltd. Winno Solutions Limited

Golders Associates

Brain drain

Locational County challenges advantages

Strong business base

the entrepreneurial heart of britain

Visit www.buckstvlep.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01494 568950