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Cornwall and Scilly businesses called to take lead

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP is calling on businesses to lead economic growth in the region, by giving their views on the priorities set out in its draft economic strategy.

It is the first economic strategy to be produced by the newly formed LEP and is the result of research on local, national and international market opportunities.

The draft strategy incorporates the feedback given, following a series of 15 roadshows attended by representatives of businesses of all sizes in venues across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly earlier this year.

Chairman of the LEP, Chris Pomfret, said: “This is our opportunity to create a local economic strategy which is really driven by businesses and reflects what our local businesses want.

“We have welcomed the business community taking the driving seat in helping us to produce a strategy which creates a more prosperous future for everyone in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

“We have talked to hundreds of businesses over the past few months, both individually and during the roadshows, to find out what they see as the important issues.

“We now want to offer businesses a final opportunity to make this strategy one the whole business community can share in and believe.”

The strategy is focused around four main themes: business growth, skills, knowledge and the environment.

Priorities include inspiring all businesses to reach their national and global potential; working with employers and training provides to create great careers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, creating value out of knowledge and using the natural environment responsibly as a key economic asset.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy and regeneration, Chris Ridgers, said: “These priorities will help us build on everything that is already special about Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and maximise the potential for our businesses and our economy into the future.

“We want to combine our traditional strengths in agriculture and tourism with pioneering new industries that make the most of our special environment.”

LEP Board Member, Simon Tregoning, said: “LEPs are about driving sustainable private sector growth and job creation according to local priorities giving businesses an opportunity to forge their own future.

“Whilst it’s not easy finding time away from your own business activity, we do encourage you to respond to this draft strategy.

“If we agree on the right priorities, I am confident that our business community will rise to the challenge and we will become an example to other areas of a modern, vibrant, well balanced economy.”

Feedback forms are available here, with the deadline for the consultation on May 31. This will allows the LEP board to take account of the comments when drawing up the final strategy, which will be published in June.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .