Local Economic Assessment

The Devon Approach

Sofie Ruggieri

Economic Research Manager

Devon County Council

Purpose

• To create a shared evidence base that– Leads to a shared understanding of the local economy,

economic geography and factors that impact on economic growth

– Informs economic interventions and spatial prioritisation of investment

– delivers sustainable economic development

• LEA should draw on and then inform:– The LAA– The Sustainable Communities Strategy– Local Development Frameworks

• To provide local evidence to inform the new Regional Strategy

Legislative requirements

• All county councils and unitary authorities will be required to prepare an assessment of the economic conditions of their area.

• In two tier areas, the county council will be required to consult and seek the participation of districts councils within its area.

• District councils have a corresponding duty to co-operate with the county council. The county council will also need to have regard to any material produced by the district council in the discharge of their local planning functions.

• In conducting an economic assessment, the local authority will be required to consult certain named partners listed on the face of the Bill and other people and organisations they consider appropriate (e.g. National Parks)

• Local authorities will need to take account of any guidance published by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will be required to consult on any guidance

Developing a Local Economic Assessment

Review and

Revision

Vision, Scope and

Purpose

Initial Evidence Collation

Final Assessment

Testing and

Refinement

Draft Assessment

Commission Additional Evidence

Gap Analysis

Vision

• To undertake a high quality economic assessment of the Devon Economy that fulfils Devon’s statutory duty and complies with CLG guidance.

• To provide evidence to feed into the Regional Strategy.

• To include an assessment of the current carbon impact of Devon’s economy and a roadmap of its transition to a low carbon economy.

• To undertake all work with involvement of District Authorities and other identified stakeholders.

Themes• Business and enterprise

– Structure of local economy– Overall economic competitiveness of area– Enterprise and innovation– Business needs

• People and communities– Labour market– Skills– Economic inclusion

• Sustainable Economic Growth– Environmental Sustainability– Housing and Infrastructure

Devon’s approach

• Working with Districts, engaging other stakeholders, consulting business

• An analysis of Functional Economic Areas within Devon• An assessment of the key sectors in Devon and their contribution to

the economy.• Devon economy – current position

– Mapping the recession in Devon– The effect of the recession on older people in Devon

• Devon low carbon economy• Economic Inclusion and well-being• Skills and worklessness assessment• Transport studies• Growth assumptions• Development of a core evidence base

Devon’s Approach

Devon Economic Assessment

Core Data

Transport

Sector Analysis

Future Growth

Economic Inclusion and Well-being

Worklessness and Skills

Devon Low Carbon Economy

State of DevonEconomy

Functional Economic Areas

Stakeholder Engagement

Challenges

• Planning versus economic development

• Alignment and scheduling of LEA and…..– LTP3– DaSTS– PPS4– Child Poverty Strategy– Houghton Review

• Functional Economic Areas

TimescaleNov Core Data

Sector Analysis Transport StudySkills and WorklessnessState of Devon EconomyLow CarbonFunctional Economic Areas

Jan-Mar Economic Inclusion and Well-beingProduce Conference Draft

April Duty comes into forceSpring ConferenceSummer Further analysis and consultationAutumn Final DraftingNovember Assessment complete

Questions