Consultation on economy of county opens
A new strategy which sets out Shropshire Council’s commitment to grow the local economy has gone out to consultation this week.
The aim of the draft economic growth strategy is to provide the vision that will direct the actions the council will take to achieve increased economic productivity and a prosperous and resilient economy.
The draft strategy has taken into account the recently commissioned work with economic consultants IPPR North to develop a new economic vision, in a bid to ‘make Shropshire a great place to live, learn and work’.
It also links into the Marches LEP Strategic Economic Plan, the West Midlands Combined Authority Strategic Economic Plan and the national economic picture, in particular the modern Industrial Strategy for the UK.
The consultation runs for seven weeks until April 28.
To take part in the consultation, people should read the draft strategy on the Shropshire Council website and then complete a short online survey or provide feedback by email to bigconversation@shropshire.gov.uk.
Shropshire Council officers will also be visiting different stakeholder groups and attending a range of meetings during the consultation period.
Feedback received will be used to develop the final strategy and development on an action plan, which will be updated annually.
Gemma Davies, Shropshire Council’s head of economic growth, said: “As a council, we recognise that we have a key role to play in supporting and developing economic growth across Shropshire for the benefit of businesses, residents and our communities.
“Developing a clear economic vision and strategy is a key milestone in setting out the council’s ambition to grow the local economy – one of the key objectives of the corporate plan.
“The draft strategy sets out three key objectives to drive economic productivity: to support and grow existing businesses, increase new investment and develop and retain skills and talent in the county.
“Economic growth is also a key financial tool for our own sustainability as a council given the reductions in funding from central government and our ability to retain more business rates locally to support services in the future.
“We have a key opportunity to use our own investment power and assets, our services and influences to maximise economic growth and, importantly, to create the environment for the private sector to succeed in Shropshire. Enabling and facilitating the businesses and investment to flourish in the county is an important part of our role and route to successful economic productivity.”
