The Global Role of Towns in Driving Economic Growth Graham Hughes - Service Director, Strategy and Development Cambridgeshire County Council 11 th July 2013
Cambridgeshire Population: 621,200 (Census 2011) Five district councils Predominantly rural in character - 11 market towns, but Cambridge Disparity between the wealthier areas to the south and deprived areas to the north 80% of residents work in the County Higher % of qualified residents than national average. Proximity and good transport links to London. Cambridgeshire economy faired well in recession
The Cambridge Phenomenon Rapid transformation of area into a global technology cluster World-leader in biotech, info-tech, nano-tech and more European research base for Microsoft, Wellcome, Pfizer, ARM plus 100s of tech businesses 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011+ 20,200 25,100 34,900 46,200 Scientific instruments Computing Scientific instruments Software Telecoms Inkjet printers Computing Scientific instruments Software Biosciences Telecoms Inkjet printers Wireless communications Computing Scientific instruments Software Biosciences Nanomaterials Drugs delivery Sensors /actuators Informatics Clean Tech Instrumentation Medical engineering Plastic Electronics Drug modelling Bluetooth Sentient computing
One $20bn firm One $10bn firm Ten $1bn firms since 1998 Unique set of overlapping hi-tech clusters More patents per 100,000 people than next 10 cities combined Cambridge is Special Largest tech-cluster in UK, 10x bigger than Tech City Unrivalled research base and commercialisation World s best University, planning major expansion
Steady Growth From 2001 2011: 10.9% increase in population across the County 12.4% increase in dwelling stock across the County 10.25% increase in total number of jobs across the County
Continued Growth Fastest growing county Cambridge is 5th fastest growing city Population growth 2011-2031 = 144,000 Dwellings growth 2011-2031 = 75,000 Jobs growth 2011-2031 = 71,000 But Infrastructure is stretched House prices are high Could damage growth prospects
Critical Factors in Managing Growth Strong Plans Good and effective partnership working Effective forward thinking political leadership Governance structures Investment
Structure Plan A growth strategy to be proud of Expansion - Cambridge & Peterborough Creation of a small town at Northstowe Development of adjoining market towns Strong emphasis on quality development Balanced growth approach jobs, housing, & infrastructure
New Local Plans Determine where the growth will be Determine the delivery plans Determine the balance of communities Heavy influence the future of Health & Social Care, Education, Transport and the Economy
Joint Working - JSPU Strong legacy of joint working General consensus that growth is good Growth figures coordinated by Joint Strategic Planning Unit Feeds through into Local Plan reviews
Joint Working - LEP Based on functional economic geography: overlapping travel-to-work areas around Cambridge and Peterborough Business-led, but a partnership between private, public, education and third sectors Limited funding but increasing capital funds through Enterprise Zone, Growing Places Funds etc Focus on infrastructure, skills, business growth
Political Leadership Strong and creative Willing to take risks Sees the bigger picture Works across boundaries Focus on success
Political Leadership Forward Funding Development Joint ventures Up front investment in infrastructure Science Park Station/Busway Our bank Super-fast Broadband
Governance - Joint Development Control Committees Joint Committees for the major growth sites on the fringes of Cambridge Elected members from three councils Ensure balance decisions Speed
A Step Further City Deal The next stage Cambridge Phenomenon Joint governance Major investment in infrastructure Would be a transformatory change Carries political risks but all are prepared to take them
Summary Cambridge is special Right mix of ingredients is necessary Success is not guaranteed though we all have to work at it Key ingredients are around plans, partnerships, governance, leadership With these we can prosper