THE SW RURAL PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION Evidence Report 2017 2 Acknowledgements The SW Rural Productivity Commission would like to thank everybody that has made a contribution to this process including: • The four LEPs for commissioning the project and supporting the process; • The NFU, Kingston Maurward College, Lackham College, The Bath and West Showground and Royal Cornwall Showground for providing welcoming venues; • All the witnesses who gave up their time and came forward to give evidence to the panel; • All the contributors who submitted written evidence; • Representatives from the LEPs, as well as a small number of expert witnesses who were asked to ‘sense check’ different parts of the report; and • The commissioners themselves who gave up their time for free to hear evidence and contribute to the development of recommendations. Disclaimer All information correct at time of publication (October 2017). Evidence was gathered through written consultation and panel hearings and has not been independently verified or checked for factual accuracy. Comments and requests for information about the conclusions of the report can be directed to: [email protected] THE SW RURAL PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION Evidence Report 2017 3 Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 2 Contents ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Method ........................................................................................................................................... 5 The Commission .............................................................................................................................. 6 The Geographical Scope ................................................................................................................... 7 Defining Rural ................................................................................................................................. 7 Key Facts & Figures ............................................................................................................................. 8 Business Population ......................................................................................................................... 8 Business Sectors .............................................................................................................................. 8 Population....................................................................................................................................... 9 Population Demographics ................................................................................................................ 10 Employment .................................................................................................................................. 11 Skills ............................................................................................................................................ 11 The Rural Productivity Challenge ...................................................................................................... 12 How do Urban and Rural areas differ?............................................................................................... 14 Rural Growth Opportunities ............................................................................................................. 16 The 10 Growth Themes ...................................................................................................................... 17 Theme 1: Key Rural Sectors .............................................................................................................. 18 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 18 The Sector Profile .......................................................................................................................... 18 Primary Production......................................................................................................................... 19 Food and Drink .............................................................................................................................. 29 Tourism ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Emerging high productivity sectors and clusters ................................................................................ 36 Theme 2: Small and Scale-Up Businesses ............................................................................................ 40 Small and Micro Businesses............................................................................................................. 40 Scale-up Businesses ....................................................................................................................... 44 Theme 3: Workforce and Skills ........................................................................................................... 47 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 47 Context ........................................................................................................................................ 47 Key Issues .................................................................................................................................... 48 Theme 4: Brexit ................................................................................................................................ 54 The Changing Agricultural Support Regime ....................................................................................... 54 Impact on Fisheries Policy ............................................................................................................... 56 Loss of Funding for Economic Development ....................................................................................... 56 Loss of workers from the European Economic Area (EEA) .................................................................... 57 Impacts Arising from Changes in Tariffs and Terms of Trade ............................................................... 57 Uncertainty acting as a brake on Investment ..................................................................................... 58 THE SW RURAL PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION Evidence Report 2017 4 Legislative .................................................................................................................................... 58 Theme 5: Transport and Accessibility ................................................................................................... 59 Context ........................................................................................................................................ 59 Key Issues and Opportunities .......................................................................................................... 60 Theme 6: Broadband and Mobile Connectivity ....................................................................................... 65 Current Digital Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 65 Current Digital Infrastructure Challenges .......................................................................................... 66 Theme 7: Housing, Planning, Communities and Workspace .................................................................... 68 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 68 Planning Context ........................................................................................................................... 68 Housing ........................................................................................................................................ 69 Commercial Development ............................................................................................................... 76 Rural Services and Viable Communities ............................................................................................ 77 Theme 8: Natural and Cultural Heritage ............................................................................................... 83 The SW Natural and Cultural Environment ........................................................................................ 83 The relationship with the economy ................................................................................................... 83 The role of Eco-system Services and Natural Capital .......................................................................... 85 Opportunities to Drive Growth ......................................................................................................... 87 Theme 9: Geography, Hubs and Spheres of Influence ............................................................................ 90 The Role of City Regions ................................................................................................................