Case studies

West Lindsey District Council undertook a review of their draft visitor economy strategy as part of the LGA’s Economic Growth Advisers Programme and commissioned a consultant to assist them in developing a fit for purpose strategy and action plan.

West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council have agreed a Growth Deal to deliver regeneration schemes to its town centre and business district by improving transport infrastructure, delivering new homes and unlocking new commercial space. By doing so, it aims to support the economic recovery of the borough from the pandemic and deliver long term economic growth.

Tendring District Council (TDC) is undertaking a project to incorporate social value to its existing procurement process, based on the anchor institutions approach. Local authorities, other public bodies, and some large voluntary and private sector organisations form the ‘anchors’ in a place. Having seen examples from Preston, Manchester, and an emerging approach from Essex County Council , the desired outcome is to better communicate the procurement process to local companies and support them to understand how to bid into council contracts to increase the level of spend by anchors on local companies.

Nottingham City Council have undertaken a survey of the vacancies in the city centre to support its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop a long-term vision to diversify its offer to attract more people to live, work and visit the city. The report has highlighted new options that can fill these vacancies to reflect a more diverse city centre. These include creating a night-time economy, as well as new leisure activities whilst increasing the public realm space in the city centre and aligning it to its new vision for its Broadmarsh centre.

‘Our Future, Our Bootle’ is Sefton Council’s Area Action Plan (AAP) for Bootle which will set out a clear vision for the town for the next two decades and beyond. The plan will act as a catalyst for further investment in the town, creating more opportunities for local people and businesses. It will also help to secure the homes that people need and want, help address the challenge of climate change, provide good quality open spaces and facilities, seek local environmental improvements as well as securing job opportunities.

As part of the LGA’s Economic Growth Advisers programme Kada Research were commissioned to assess Burnley’s current digital connectivity and what networks, skills and technologies might best support digital growth across the borough. It involved a desk-based review, insights from elsewhere and a business telephone survey with 109 local firms. It culminated in a five-point digital action plan that, when implemented, would place Burnley well to exploit new digital opportunities.

Hartlepool Council’s Economic Growth Team are responsible for directly growing the Hartlepool economy by supporting new and existing businesses. In addition, the team manage the council’s creative industries managed workspace facility ‘The BIS’ which was developed to specifically address the needs of the growing creative sector in Hartlepool. A research study was commissioned to map out a route to enhance and grow opportunities in the creative economy which would add to the ambitions for the BIS to become ‘the home of creativity’ in Hartlepool.

Telford & Wrekin Council are keen to support their manufacturing businesses to become greener. To build growth and prosperity for the long term, the Telford business community needs to be able to access support to enable them to reduce their carbon footprint, localise supply chains and decarbonise their infrastructure network. By operating sustainably, the Telford & Wrekin manufacturing sector can build resilience to recent variables such as the UK’s net zero ambition and the global desire for sustainable manufacturing.

North Somerset Council are developing a roadmap and action plan focusing on measures to support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions. As part of the LGA’s Economic Growth Advisers programme, Eunomia Research and Consulting were commissioned to produce a report to assess the carbon emissions by sector as well as the challenges faced by sectors with the highest emissions in achieving net zero. The report makes recommendations on support programmes the council can develop to help SMEs reduce emissions.

Bradford Council commissioned a piece of research on entrepreneurial support for young people in Bradford district, with the aim of understanding what appetite there is amongst them to start their own business or to become self-employed and how support might be best delivered to ensure there is an inclusive, accessible offer for them.