Tendring Backs North Essex Economic Strategy
A new strategy to make sure North Essex residents will benefit from economic growth has been agreed by senior Tendring councillors today (Friday, 24 January).
The North Essex Economic Strategy, covering Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford, aims to ensure the area can rise to the economic challenges and opportunities it faces.
Covering the period until 2040, the ambitious strategy produced by the North Essex Economic Board – a partnership of the four councils with Essex County Council – is the first bespoke economic strategy covering North Essex.
Stretching from Clacton and Harwich International Port in the east, to Stansted Airport and the M11 in the west via Braintree and Colchester, North Essex is a diverse and outward-facing economy.
The strategy accounts for predicted population growth across the area and the changes in industries and companies starting up, growing and relocating across North Essex.
From 1998 to 2018 the North Essex population grew by almost 20% to 580,000. Between 2018 and 2045 this will have increased further by an estimated 139,000.
With the growing importance and need to build a greener more sustainable economy, the strategy looks to address the change in the skills, infrastructure and technologies needed to support them.
The strategy builds upon North Essex’s location and connections locally, regionally and internationally, but also the current skill base and community networks across the area.
By 2040 the strategy aims to have delivered its vision of “North Essex as a high-value, productive and sustainable economy. People choose to live and work locally, in new established communities that are well connected and inspire innovation and creativity.”
Tendring is the last council in the partnership to adopt the strategy, having delayed a decision while the General Election campaign was happening. Now an action plan will be developed to help deliver the vision. The strategy will also be fed into the Local Industrial Strategy being developed by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Mary Newton, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Growth, said it was important partners worked together to be able to meet the challenges and opportunities of future growth.
“Tendring and the rest of North Essex is a key area for economic growth, but to see the benefits we need to join forces to ensure we are fully able to bring prosperity and good jobs to our residents,” Cllr Newton said.
“Across the councils we all share an ambition to plan, deliver and promote sustainable growth for the long-term, while also providing the houses, infrastructure and jobs required to ensure the best outcomes for North Essex now and for future generations.
“This is a bold and strong vision for North Essex from the board, for the next 20 years and beyond, driving innovation and technology, improve the skill base of our local workforce, create a network of distinct communities and make the economy greener and more sustainable.”
NEWSDESKS
For more information on this news release please contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.