Strategy

Rochdale Borough Economic Partnership
Economic Development Strategy

Our work for RBEP was founded on extensive data analysis and a simplified, but evidence based, approach to the development of strategic targets for the Borough's economy. Data was interpreted and analysed following:

• Focus groups with service providers;
• Validation of key issues and actions through consultations.

The result is a local strategy co-terminus with other, larger area strategies, which sets ambitious but realistic targets for economic development in the Borough.

Flintshire County Council/WDA
Economic Development Strategy

We prepared an extensive economic development strategy and action plan for FCC and WDA covering the skills, infrastructure, business support and community development issues faced by the County. Key tasks included national policy review and ensuring complementary actions were included in the County level strategy. The result is a 10 year strategy and action plan designed to ensure partner commitment as the County builds on its economic success.

Deeside Regeneration Scoping Report - Flintshire County Council/WDA
As a follow-up to our work on Flintshire's economic strategy we prepared a scoping report, including skills assessment and economic benefits, to cover a phased development of Deeside Industrial Park.

Mablethorpe Town Centre
Regeneration

This assignment meshed the aspirations of local residents to a physical regeneration 'masterplan.' Work included:

• An assessment of community activity and capacity in the town;
• An audit of local community facilities;
• In depth consultations with community 'leaders' and key local organisations;
• Mapping of local activity onto relevant funding streams and identification of a potential community strategy and action plan;
• Analysis of existing economic data and consideration of local demand conditions.

Bodmin Moor Project
Bodmin Moor Strategy

The Bodmin Moor Project was a MAFF pilot project designed to test the balance between rural diversification and environmental management. Following on from our development of a community owned Integrated Area Plan for Bodmin Moor and Camelford, the Bodmin Moor Project requested that we provide a strategy for Bodmin Moor to cover economic, social and environmental issues. This necessitated a review of rural policy, including the proposals of the Countryside Agency, the Rural Development Programme and the Rural White Paper and their implications for the communities of Bodmin Moor.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
An Assessment of the Future of Local Authority Basic Skills, Vocational Training and Life Long Learning Provision

This project has set out a strategy for local skills training with reference to wider strategies. In identifying solutions to labour market deficiencies and barriers to training, emphasis is being placed on better utilisation of local training infrastructure as well as the development of partnership-based delivery models. Our report provides a robust framework for the delivery of post-16 training and education, primarily sponsored by Objective One, in Blaenau Gwent's communities. We are currently retained to develop a Labour Market Intermediary project for the local authority area.

Knowsley MBC
Borough-wide Employment and Lifelong Learning Strategy (ELLS) Linked to SSDAs and Pathways

For Knowsley MBC we produced a cohesive strategy which:

• Linked the needs of the most deprived areas in the borough (pathways partnerships) to those of most opportunity;
• Undertook a thorough analysis of the current economic circumstances of the borough;
• Designed activities to engage greater numbers of residents in learning suitable to their needs and a progression toward the labour market;
• Developed supporting strategies and quantifiable action plans for the four pathways partnerships within the Knowsley area.

Rochdale Development Agency
Wardleworth and Hamer Employment Strategy

For Rochdale Development Agency we have researched employment prospects in two of the area's most deprived wards. The areas in question are predominately inhabited by Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities and our contact has involved using local people as interviewers/interpreters. The research provides a comprehensive economic analysis of the area to include environmental aspects, sites and premises, skills and education, business support/enterprise and community development. The resultant Action Plan includes property development proposals and the introduction of a Labour Market Intermediary as part of the effort to secure meaningful regeneration for the local community.