Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan 2024 - 2028

ACTION TO TAKE PLACE

BY WHOM? PARTNER ORGANISATION

TIMESCALE

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ONGOING

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3.1

Provide effective delivery of strategic sites

Deploy planning powers to achieve high- quality regeneration across the District

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✓Yes

3.2

Planning ahead

Develop appropriate spatial development strategies and planning policies to meet present and expected future needs

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✓Yes

3.3

Create pride of place

Work with developers to influence the creation of places that help people lead healthier lifestyles, access good quality local employment and support wellbeing

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✓Yes

3.4

Create pride of place

Identify new and maintain existing relationships with neighbouring Councils and organisations to identify and support cross-boundary initiatives and growth to help development of the South Kesteven community

✓Yes

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3.5

Unlock land and stalled development sites

Create robust policy, a strategic position and auditable backgrounds to implement attractive schemes

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✓Yes

3.6

Unlock land and stalled development sites

Explore available funding routes and develop master plans

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✓Yes

3.7

Unlock land and stalled development sites

Evidence demand for electricity network upgrades

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✓Yes

3.8

Unlock land and stalled development sites

As part of the planning obligations process, maintain a community and business ideas database containing 'needs' and 'wishes' formally identified by Councillors, Parish and Town Councils, residents' associations, business groups and other interested parties.

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✓Yes

3.9

Unlock land and stalled development

Explore whether some Section 106 planning agreements negotiated in more buoyant times, remain viable

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✓Yes

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3.10

Fill empty high street shops

Explore possibilities and liaise with local stakeholders to support putting empty shops to community or charity use, including pop- up events e.g. dining, art events, pop-up shops etc. To include exploring the potential to develop a South Kesteven pop-up scheme in vacant units by taking short-term leases on vacant spaces

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✓Yes

3.11

Support the path to net zero

Develop a package of sustainable infrastructure and low carbon capital projects to encourage a District-wide shift to a net zero carbon economy. To include exploring options within carpark review to support the installation of EV charging points in all District car parks

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✓Yes

3.12

Advance shovel-ready projects, supporting better social outcomes

Develop a portfolio of shovel ready, infrastructure projects to kick-start investment, unlock and stimulate economic activity within the District. Note the potential links to UKSPF programme

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✓Yes

3.13

Connected towns

Install free public Wi-Fi service hubs across the District, providing a foundation for smart town technology and digital services, whilst providing high-quality broadband connectivity for businesses

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✓Yes

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3.14

Create accessible and age-friendly communities

Make environments accessible for all - supporting age-friendly and accessible spaces and facilities as a first principle, through the creation of a District-wide policy. To include accessibility audits of existing spaces through an externally commissioned consultancy.

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✓Yes

3.15

Create accessible and age-friendly communities

Apply the Age UK principles of creating age- friendly communities. To include exploring other accessibility guidance and principles

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✓Yes

3.16

Later life learning andre-entry of older adults into the market place

Raise awareness among businesses of the strategic and social benefits of an older workforce and prioritise the training of 50+ workers for the new world of work

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✓Yes

3.17

Later life learning andre-entry of older adults into the market place

Support businesses to redefine and expand roles to accommodate and meet the targeted needs of older workers to include nonlinear educational paths, returnships, internships, apprenticeships and job sharing

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✓Yes

3.18

Regenerate and improve town centres and manage parking demand

Consult and apply for funding to regenerate town centres. To include developing and implementing a community consultation (i.e. akin to Grantham Charrette) to identify long- term vision and needs of communities and obtain buy-in to project plans in all towns and larger rural communities

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✓Yes

3.19

Regenerate and improve town centres and manage parking demand

Reimagine the role of town centres. Review of best practice and successful case studies nationally

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✓Yes

3.20

Regenerate and improve town centres and manage parking demand

Develop a parking strategy to manage the future needs of the District

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✓Yes

3.21

Refocus the Grantham Town Team

Appoint a Grantham Engagement Manager

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✓Yes

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3.22

Refocus the Grantham Town Team

Refresh the Terms of Reference

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3.23

Increase urban greening (including tree canopy cover where feasible)

Explore how to significantly increase green cover in Grantham's built environment by taking account of the University of Sheffield and the Woodland Trust feasibility study. Look to take learning across the District as appropriate

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✓Yes

3.24

Safety and accessibility audits

Undertake safety and access audits of the District's four town centres to benchmark accessibility for disabled people and women and girls' safety in public spaces

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✓Yes

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3.25

Create bustling markets

Bring forward a step change in the way Council-run street markets are presented, operated, marketed and promoted

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✓Yes

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3.26

Preserve and enhance the heritage assets of the District

Produce a Conservation and Heritage Strategy

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✓Yes