Economic Development Strategy to 2007

Foreword

Councillor Clive Stockton, Portfolio Member for Economic Development

"This Council, elected in May 2003, has declared a range of socially inclusive priorities, beginning with the critical need to reduce homelessness and to provide affordable and social housing to meet the needs of the people of North Norfolk.

It is clear that we must have a broadly-based and successful economy if we are to achieve and sustain all aspects of social improvement and inclusion. It is, however, less obvious that a hugely special effort is needed in a rural area like North Norfolk, if we are to do so while avoiding the phenomenon of 'poverty within wealth'.

Many local small and medium-sized businesses have started, grown, and succeeded - some becoming national and international successes - but there are some great disadvantages, such as the state of the general and technological infrastructure. The problems for the area are not getting better and it is against this backdrop that we must work. We must help enterprises overcome these disadvantages.

There is, without doubt, a 'native wit' which breeds some of the best entrepreneurs, and we have, potentially, a stable and loyal local workforce. We must do all we can to encourage enterprises that harness the strengths of our area and our residents.

We must encourage businesses to contribute to their locality in the broadest sense. One of the first and most successful industrialists, Henry Ford, confounded his critics by showing that, properly managed, an enterprise which encourages the inclusion of its workforce - and indeed all those that it touches - could in fact enhance its profitability. He said: "Everyone who is connected with us - either as manager, worker or purchaser is the better for our… existence". This is, I believe, a view to which we must aspire in terms of our future rural economy.

Actions will speak louder than the words in this document. Performance against the plans presented here will be measured on a regular and ongoing basis, and we will achieve a high success rate in their implementation."

Robin Smith, Economic and Tourism Development Manager

"One of the most difficult aspects of looking at the future is getting a handle on the discontinuities in the external environment. Forecasting cannot attempt to address this issue without gaining an understanding or insight into past and current trends.

Any organisation or economy that is open for change is much more likely to survive and thrive, than one that is continually chasing events. This economic strategy is therefore intended to provide the general reader or practitioner with an understanding of some of the issues that will undoubtedly effect this authority, the district and its people over the next few years.

The format of this strategy has been designed for modular or part consumption, or as a complete work for those who require a more detailed exposition of the assumptions made by local government about economic development issues. It should not be read in isolation or viewed as a standalone document, but rather, it should be read understanding that it supports and links into the authorities overall corporate strategy."

The Economic Development Strategy to 2007 Report has been split into seven separate Adobe PDF documents - please use the links below. The strategy will be reviewed and updated annually.

Table of Contents / Foreword / Executive Summary

| Table of Contents / Foreword / Executive Summary (.pdf 53kb) |

Part 1

| Section 1 - Introduction and Strategic Context (.pdf 62kb) |
Introduction
Strategic Context
Context in which the Council Operates

| Section 2 - An overview of economic issues (.pdf 125kb) |
The European Context
The UK Context
The Regional Context
The Norfolk Context
The North Norfolk Context
Learning and Skills

| Section 3 - Rural review and sector analysis (.pdf 128kb) |
Rural Review
Agriculture and Fishing
Energy / Water, Mining
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair of Motor Vehicles
Hotels and Restaurants
Transport, Storage and Communication
Real Estate, Renting, Business Activities and Finance
Public Administration and Defence, Education and Social Security
Creative Industries

Part 2

| Section 1 - Economic Development Plan (.pdf 388kb) |
Summary
Underpinning Rationale
GROUP 1
Priority Objective 1 - Business Start-Up
Priority Objective 2 - Business Growth
Priority Objective 3 - Learning and Skills
Priority Objective 4 - Infrastructure and Environment
GROUP 2
Priority Objective 5 - Funding and Investment
Priority Objective 6 - Tourism
Priority Objective 7 - Partnership
GROUP 3
Priority Objective 8 - Land and Premises (Supply)
Priority Objective 9 - Market and Resort Town Regeneration
Priority Objective 10 - Strategic

| Section 2 - Measuring Performance (.pdf 44kb) |
Measuring Economic Regeneration

Part 3

| Appendices (.pdf 75kb) |
Appendix 1 - Achieving Rural Revival
Appendix 2 - Drivers for Change
List of Organisations Consulted on the District Council's Economic
Development Strategy
Bibliography
Glossary