Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan 2024 - 2028
04 Action Plan
The South Kesteven Economic Development Strategy sets a clear vision of how the economy of the District could, and in some cases should develop. The areas of focus set out clearly how all partners can work together to achieve a common objective.
The Action Plan attempts to order all activity into short, medium and long term actions. These are given timescales of ongoing, one and three years. Like the Strategy, the Action Plan is dynamic and is expected to be reviewed and, if needs be, changed on an annual basis. This enables the Action Plan to fully react to changing economic circumstances and to capitalise on new opportunities from new investments to changes in Government policy.
Area of focus 1: Business and Job Creation and Employment Safeguarding
ACTION TO TAKE PLACE
BY WHOM? PARTNER ORGANISATION
TIMESCALE
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ONGOING
1
3
1.1
Increase Business Engagement
Produce a quarterly business e-newsletter
- Business & Skills Officer to lead supported by portfolio holder, comms and other teams as required
Yes
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1.2
Increase Business Engagement
Procure a new customer relationship management system (CRM)
- Business & Skills Officer to lead with IT Support Lead, supported by Procurement Lead
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Yes
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1.3
Increase Business Engagement
Create a collection of business support webinars and podcasts
- Business & Skills Officer to investigate options, High Street Heritage Action Zone Project Manager to support
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Yes
1.4
Continue to distribute the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Explore opportunities to develop a legacy beyond the funding period
- UKSPF Programme Manager to explore sustainability. Case studies and feedback
- Investigate what was missed by the fund and lessons learned workshop for team
- Legacy of LEF beyond SPF - how it will function what it will deliver
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Yes
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1.5
Use the Local Economic Forum effectively
Draw upon the expertise of Local Economic Forum members to shape the work of the Council's Economic Development Strategy
- UKSPF Programme Manager and Business & Skills Officer to identify future plans for the Local Economic Forum beyond UKSPF
Yes
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1.6
Use the Local Economic Forum effectively
Maintain the 'Local Business' sub-group of the Local Economic Forum
- UKSPF Programme Manager to lead supported by relevant members of the Econmoic Development Team
Yes
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1.7
Use the Local Economic Forum effectively
Work closely with Town Councils and Business Clubs across the District
- Business & Skills Officer to lead
Yes
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1.8
Help to access financial support
Assist organisations to find and apply for growth programmes to help businesses start, succeed and grow
- UKSPF Programme Manager and Business & Skills Officer to collaborate with Community Grants & Funding Officer
Yes
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1.9
Support emerging growth sectors and new employers
Work with FE, Higher Education and training providers to ensure skills are developed to support emerging growth sectors and new employers entering the District
- Business & Skills Officer to lead - following SK business sector audit to forecast needs of the District in the medium to long term and work towards a skills development strategy
Yes
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1.10
Sector support
Identify partners and suppliers for sector specific programmes and projects
- Economic Development Team - Audit of key and developing sectors
Yes
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1.11
Sector support
Introduce businesses and innovators to networking opportunities
- To follow on from 1.10
Yes
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1.12
Invest in clean growth
Deliver climate change expos which maximise opportunities of the transition to net zero Evaluate effectiveness going forward, develop ongoing programmes. Need for incentives Inclusion with carparking strategy (EV charging)
- UKSPF Programme Manager and Business & Skills Officer, supported by relevant LEF sub-group
- Delivery to include Sustainability & Climate Change Officer
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Yes
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1.13
Social value in procurement
Capitalise on local development projects as opportunities for skills development and training
- Head of Economic Development & Inward Investment to lead and engage with other Council teams as necessary
Yes
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1.14
Develop a small business concordat
Develop a statement of principles and publish guidance for suppliers on how to do business with Council and details of forthcoming bidding opportunities
- Head of Economic Development & Inward Investment – working with Procurement
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Yes
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1.15
Host and support Meet the Buyer events
Provide the opportunity for contracts framework and supply chain opportunities
- Head of Economic Development & Inward Investment to lead, Business & Skills Officer to support working with Procurement
- Potential for consultant commission to explore local value spend multipliers etc
- Explore social value calculator to evaluate grant applications and procurement – and support businesses in understanding how procurement works
Yes
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1.16
Support start- up and step-up businesses
Explore and implement ways which identify sites and premises to enable people to start and grow their businesses
- Economic Development Team to highlight relevant support available through partner organisations including NBV, FSB and Growth Hub
- Business & Skills Officer to work with partners to refer relevant businesses and develop support
Yes
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1.17
Profile business innovation
Support increased levels of innovation activity, through innovation institutions in key sectors
- UKSPF funding to be deployed for business innovation
- Longer term Head of Economic Development & Inward Investment to lead on strategic development of innovation support beyond 2025
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Yes
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1.18
Inspire, transform and sustain cultural change
Support independent companies to realise the potential of digital transformation, embrace new business models or implement new ways of working
- Business & Skills Officer to promote the availability of UKSPF funding for digital innovation to businesses
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