Strategy for business 2015-2021

Our vision is to be the most business friendly council in the UK Working collaboratively to create a sustainable local economy, a vibrant business & visitor destination with an unparalleled quality of life, where highly productive businesses create quality jobs for local people.

East Hampshire’s strengths • Excellentlocationwithgoodtransport

linkstothenationalmotorways,A3corridor,railnetworksandinternationalgatewaysofHeathrowandGatwickairports

• WithineasyreachofPortsmouthandSouthamptoninternationalfreightport,whichofferseasyaccesstonationalandinternationalmarkets.

• Itboastsofavibranteconomywithastrongtraditionofinnovation

• Avariedbusinessbaseincludingmulti-nationalsandvibrant,diverseandresponsiblesmallandmediumsizedenterprises(SMEs)

• Anunrivalledqualityoflifeinanoutstandingnaturalenvironment;thedistrictsuccessfullyblendsarichnaturalheritagewithprosperouscommercial

centres,thrivingonthereputationofbeingahighqualitylocationtoworkandlive.

• ThehomeofJaneAusten–ourliteraryheritageandtourismofferisrenownednationallyandinternationally

• Ourfamousmuseums,galleries,countryhousesandtheNationalParkcontinuetoactasamagnet.

• Exemplaryeducationalestablishments,withastrongreputation

• Thecouncil’scommitmenttoreducecarbonemissionsandmaximisetheopportunitiesprovidedbythegreeneconomythroughtheEastHampshireEnergyStrategy

Our leading products Get East Hants Working enterprise apprenticeshipsExpansionofourhighlysuccessfulinitiativethathelpsSMEstotakeonapprenticesthroughawageincentiveandassistyoungpeopletoaccessemploymentopportunitiesandhelpwithtransportandtrainingcosts.

Whitehill & Bordon regenerationTheRegenerationofWhitehill&Bordonisourflagshipopportunity–theregenerationofQuebecPark,LouisburgBarracksandanewtowncentrewillprovidenewbusinessspace,jobsandtrainingopportunitiesalongwithtailoredbusinesssupportprogrammes.

Theproject’snewdevelopmentshavecarbonreductionattheirheart,includingrenewableenergygeneration,transportandgreeneconomicdevelopment.

Inward investment incentivesThecouncilwillofferincentivestobusinesseslocatingandcreatingjobsinEastHampshire.

Destination East HampshireThecouncilwillfurtherdevelopandpromoteEastHampshire’sunrivalledvisitoroffertobeanationallyandinternationallysignificantdestinationthroughinnovativemarketing,PRandsupportforlocaltourismsectorbusinesses.

Broadband deliveryThecounciliscommittedtoimproveaccesstoHighSpeedBroadbandinruralareasandwillworkproactivelywithlocalbusinessesandcommunitiestoimproveaccessformoreremoteareasby2017.

Artist’simpressionofQuebecPark,Whitehill&Bordon

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3 pillars that will drive the delivery of our vision:InfrastructureSkillsBusiness

Supporting activity InfrastructureCapitalise on development & regeneration opportunities to enhance economic growth

WewilltakeopportunitiestodeliverlandandpropertyforcommercialuseforgrowingEastHamphirebusinesseswithafocusonourmainbusinesscentres

Complete roll out of Hampshire High Speed Broadband programme across East Hampshire

WewillinvestintheHighSpeedBroadbandprogrammeforHampshiretoaccelerateimprovementstobroadbandservicesacrossthedistrictby2015

SkillsSkills Centre

WewillworkwithpartnerorganisationstodevelopaconstructionskillstrainingcentreatWhitehillandBordontoequipresidentswithspecialistskillstobuildnewhighqualityhomes

Employment and Training agreements

WewillensureresidentialandcommercialdevelopmentsprovideemploymentandtrainingopportunitiesforlocalresidentsthroughS106agreements

Employer led skills

Wewillworktoensurethevoiceofbusinessinfluencestrainingprovisionandmeetstheneedsofthelocaleconomy

Enterprise Apprenticeship SchemeGet East Hants Working Enterprise Apprenticeship Grant scheme was launched in July 2013.

So far (February 2015) the scheme has supported over 20 young people into high quality apprenticeships in the district and provided an additional 14 work placements (pre-apprenticeships, work trials and work experience jobs).

Going forward, the council and Business East Hants will work with employers to develop the scheme, with increased support for higher apprenticeships as a progression route for those with the Level 3 Advanced qualification and an alternative to university.

The scheme will remain flexible to include recognised qualifications which fall outside the government apprenticeship framework.

NathanJarett-apprenticeatAmpacEuropeLtd,Alton

BusinessDedicated business planning service

Wewilldevelopadedicatedplanningserviceforbusinesscustomersincludingtherecruitmentofadedicatedbusinessplanner

SME Support Programme

WewillprovidesupporttoourSMEsthroughayearlysupportandtrainingprogramme

Management of our town centres and business parks

AsthemostbusinessfriendlycouncilintheUK,wewillensurethatourmaintownandbusinesscentresareclean,safe&accessibletradingenvironments

Connecting local businesses with support & funding programmes

WewillhelpourbusinessestoremainlocatedandgrowinEastHampshirebyconnectingwithlocalandnationalbusinesssupportprogrammesandservicesprovidedbyHampshireCountyCouncil,LocalEnterprisePartnerships,FieldfareLocalActionGroupandnationalgovernment

LEADER fundingEU funding was secured for 2007-14 for East Hampshire through the LEADER Rural Development Programme. This helped create over 120 jobs and safeguard 200 others in rural communities. The district is hoping to secure DEFRA funding during the next phase, 2014-20.

MrWhitehead’sCiderandJuice–recipientofLEADERfundinggrant

Enabling delivery Weareanambitiousareaandwewillworkcollaborativelywithourprivateandpublicsectorpartnersanddevelopnewinnovativedeliverymodelstorealisethisstrategy.

Wewillexploreinnovativewaysofensuringsustainablefinancingofthisstrategyinthelongterm,includingexternalfundingandnewmodesoffinancingandcommercialisationofcouncilservices.

WewillfosterstrongprivatesectorleadershipandengagementthroughourNonExecutiveBoard,BusinessEastHantsPartnershipandsectorspecificgroupsincludingEHTourismandMarketingPartnership.

Wewillseeknewinvestmentandfundingopportunities,freedomsandflexibilitiestodeliverourprioritiesincludingfromLEPs,GovernmentandEuropeanUnion.

Thecouncilwillstimulatebusinessopportunitiesandjobcreationarisingfromthegreeneconomy.

ContactEconomicDevelopmentServiceEastHampshireDistrictCouncilPennsPlace,Petersfield,GU314EX

Tel:01730234165

Email:business@easthants.gov.uk

Website:www.easthants.gov.uk/business

OrielCourt,OmegaPark,Alton

East Hampshire

Business News

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rgEHDC Chief Executive and business Portfolio Holder visit local businessesSee page 16-17

Issue 5Summer/Autumn 2014

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