Economic Development Strategy

The following page outlines and links to the Council's Economic Development Strategy, which was approved in, after an extensive period of consultation, in late 2009.

Economic development and regeneration

Our primary role is to build robust and active partnerships that deliver a co-ordinated range of quality services tailored, in as far as is possible, to the specific needs of local business, potential inward investors, our existing residents and those people who will be attracted to live in the borough in the future.

Our aims are to ensure our high quality, long established business community grow and prosper, for it to offer more and better highly skilled job opportunities and for there to be a strong, vibrant enterprise culture. We will work with local schools, colleges and universities to ensure that the best education and skills training is available to everyone in the borough and that we are better able to match local jobs with local people.

What is economic development?

Economic development can mean different things to different people. Economic development and regeneration encompasses activities, like, support for enterprise and business growth, skills training and action on worklessness. In the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, the economic development activities seek to complement other critical local government functions, such as, development management and planning policy, community support and housing.

It involves close collaboration and building active partnerships with local businesses, the community and voluntary sector, and with various statutory national bodies and representative local organizations. It involves linking policy on place-shaping with policy on labour markets. We must seek to ensure all local residents and businesses benefit from growth in the economy and equally that they receive all available and appropriate support to cope with the current uncertainties in the national and world economies.

The coalition government is seeking to encourage new forms of partnership working between local authorities and other bodies as part of its 'Big Society' and localism agenda. Oadby and Wigston Borough Council will seek to encourage the community to come together particularly to help agree and implement the town centre master plans. They will also work alongside other public sector agencies to increase the range and value of contracting opportunities being made available to small businesses and social enterprises.

What is the economic development strategy?

The strategy will act as a framework for the Council's economic development service and its key partners to develop long-term sustainable economic growth opportunities. The first stage will be the development, by the Council and its partners, of an employment and enterprise action plan. This document will be consulted upon widely within the borough and will form the basis of budget decisions and actions by the key delivery partners.

Economic Development Strategy 2009 (PDF Document, 390.66 Kb)

How can i make comments on the economic development strategy or suggest actions to be included in the draft employment and enterprise action plan?

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council wants to hear from businesses, residents and partner organisations in order to get feedback on the strategy and to inform the action plan development process.

The Council would specifically welcome your views on the following questions:-

1. Is the vision for the Borough what we should be aiming for?

2. Are the strategic priorities identified the right ones?

3. Are there any additional actions that you would like to see the Council or partners deliver as part of the Economic Development Strategy?