A plan which sets out how Central Bedfordshire Council will support future local economic growth and help businesses to thrive was approved last night (November 24) at a meeting og the full council.
The Economic Development Plan demonstrates how the council intends to work with key partners to achieve the area’s economic potential and deliver the 27,000 additional jobs being forecast by 2026.
Four priority themes; Land and Premises, Supporting Business, Skills for Growth, and Into Work, will govern the work around the Economic Development Plan, and help coordinate work between the council, its partners and new and existing businesses.
Cllr Ken Matthews, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Central Bedfordshire Council, said “ Central Bedfordshire is a prosperous and attractive area. We want to ensure that we continue to be a place people want to live and work, and build on our leading education institutions and businesses to ensure our residents are able to benefit from the economic growth of the area.
“In producing the Economic Development Plan we are embracing the critical role our partners and stakeholders will play in delivering sustainable economic growth in Central Bedfordshire and the key role the Council has in enabling businesses and residents to achieve their goals and aspirations.”
Key projects of the plan are very much underway and demonstrate how the council intends to support economic development throughout Central Bedfordshire.
Cllr Matthews, added: “We want to make it easy for people to do business with us. A top priority will be effectively listening to and acting on local business needs. We will introduce a range of measures to support this, focusing on high quality services to business and enabling them to invest and grow locally.”
As technology develops, the council recognises the increasing demands from business and residents for access to high speed broadband and has started work on a Local Broadband Plan for Central Bedfordshire which will outline how the commercial and public sectors will work together to roll out next generation broadband.
Tackling Youth Unemployment by 2012/13 is also a key part of the plan, with activities such as increasing apprenticeships and tailoring support to local residents’ needs.
Cllr Matthews commented: “We will also work with public and private sector partners to bring forward a range of business space, from dedicated enterprise and innovation centres, such as the Incuba Centre in Dunstable.” This facility seeks to provide dedicated business support and stimulate growth in the Low Carbon technologies sector.
The recently launched Timebank service will be used to match local providers of business services such as marketing, financial, planning, sales and HR, to businesses which are looking to start up, grow or move into the area. Every part of the plan will seek to maximise business growth potential throughout the whole of Central Bedfordshire.
To view the Economic Development Plan and for more information on Timebank and the range of business support services visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Cllr Matthews, added: “Following the consultation over the summer I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all residents and businesses who took part and helped to shape our economic development plan priorities.”