County councils should not be left out of drive for economic growth
More power to Essex’s elbow. Its about time this Government, which has fewer excuses than many for forgetting about the importance of things “shire” realised that in terms of economic development the Cities cant do it alone. Perhaps that is why so many people still don’t want to live in them. The article written by the CEO of the County tells us:
Essex has always had a strong focus on the traits that the government dubs “important growth values”. The county has a rich history full of entrepreneurs, traders and innovators; people who encourage growth with their values and ingenuity.
However, when it comes to debates about how to encourage and nurture economic growth, counties like Essex do not find it easy for their voices to be heard. Instead it is the cities, supported by an effective lobby with significant thinktank backing, who lead the conversation.
Cities have a particularly strong supporter in the form of Lord Heseltine who has been a worthy champion of economic growth and the role of cities in delivering it.
His No Stone Unturned review has been broadly welcomed by ministers and has transformed as a result from polemic into policy across Whitehall Cities have fought for, and in the main won, the three Fs: freedom, flexibility and funding.
But while cities have the means, the role of county areas in enabling and supporting local economic growth is as compelling and highlights the need for those same “three Fs” to be enabled for our areas, whether through local enterprise partnerships or through district and county councils working together.
Cities are, of course, engines for growth. However, the characteristics that make them ripe for economic development can be found in other areas too and ignoring them risks missing a number of tricks.