Agenda item

Andy Walker, Head of Service Business Growth, Lancashire County Council introduced a report and presentation regarding the development of Lancashire's Local Industrial Strategy. 

Andy introduced Simon Pringle and Scott Dickinson from Steer Economic Development who were commissioned by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to develop the Strategy.

Scott Dickinson gave a presentation containing the results of the Lancashire Local Industrial Strategy study that Steer had undertaken.  This included an overview of the purpose, the objectives and outputs.  The two outputs identified were to have an evidence based Local Industrial Strategy for Lancashire, and, to have a visible and transparent development process.

It was noted that with regard to work planning and milestones that following scoping and evidence base data analysis the next stage over the summer of 2019 was to develop the vision and strategy.  Following this in the Autumn action planning and workshops will be held to develop the framework, governance and implementation with full implementation from March 2020 onwards.

In terms of the key inputs for the Strategy, key technology drivers were highlighted along with key European, UK, Northern Powerhouse, Lancashire (including existing LEP policies) and Local policies that will shape and influence the Lancashire Local Industrial Strategy.

Benchmarking information was presented comparing Lancashire to North West and national comparators, this included GVA growth trends and projects which showed that over the period 1991 to 2016 Lancashire was below the North West and UK national figures and the growth projections for 2017 to 2038 also showed Lancashire to be below both North West and national projections.

In order to implement the scale and rate of projected change to increase Lancashire's GVA it will require support to works to enable them to reskill to move sectors and upskill to take new roles within existing sectors and place based strategies.

It was noted that there was variation on the GVA mix across all of the Lancashire District and Unitary areas with for example some areas have a high percentage of manufacturing outputs versus some areas that have high percentages of public administration, education and health.  It was further noted that the Lancashire Strategy would need to be tailored to take account of the variety in each area.

In terms of the next stages of development it was noted that options for the structure of the Strategy need to be developed around emerging themes set out in the presentation.

LEP Directors provided feedback on the work undertaken so far to develop the Strategy and proposed that a small group of Directors form a Lancashire Local Industrial Strategy Working Group to work with officers and consultants to develop the Strategy with it proposed that LEP Director Miranda Barker led on this piece of work.

Resolved:  The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board

(i)  Noted the report and presentation provided and provided officers and consultants with feedback and suggestions regarding the development of strategic priorities for Lancashire; and

(ii)  Agreed to form a small Working Group of Directors, led by Miranda Barker, to further develop the Strategy with officers and consultants, with Directors to be invited to volunteer to be part of the Working Group via the Company Secretary and Interim LEP Chief Executive.