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Summary
of the Action Plan 2003/4.
The West Wiltshire Economic Partnership (WWEP) is a partnership between public and private sector organisations with an interest in promoting the economic well being of the district.
It was formally launched in September 1998 and operates legally and
financially through West Wiltshire Enterprise with David Stratton
as chairman of the board as well as chairman of WWEP. The partnership
is managed through a service level agreement with the Wessex Association
of Chambers of Commerce (WACC) and a part time partnership manager,
Len Turner, is employed through WACC. The district council's economic
development activity is now delivered through the partnership and
the council's economic development staff work closely with WWEP's
manager from offices in Trinity House, Trowbridge.
WWEP meets at least on a quarterly basis and contributes to initiatives on a district, sub-regional (Wiltshire) and regional (south west) level.
There are a number of issues challenging the local economy, in the main these are not specific to west Wiltshire and certain national, regional and sub-regional trends are also reflected at the local level:
- A decline in manufacturing industries
- Changes in the agricultural sector
- An ageing population
- Low skills base.
It is against this backdrop of strategic challenge and in response to partners'
priorities and local business needs that WWEP's longer term vision
and its strategic goals have been developed. While the above trends
are prevalent in west Wiltshire, some present a more acute problem
than others.
These challenges will be addressed through the pursuit of the following long term strategic goals:
- To address manufacturing decline in terms of the current climate and potential future closures/insolvencies
- To keep abreast of change in the agricultural sector in light of forthcoming amendments to CAP, the legacy of foot and mouth and the resulting need for diversification.
- To concentrate on the provision of learning opportunities and skills enhancement for the economically active and promote employment after retirement age.
- To support rural regeneration and combat social exclusion, through promotion of access and opportunity.
- To focus on the retention of existing employment and to facilitate growth and development of current employers.
- To attract a well established educational institution to the area that could act as a catalyst for the clustering of research based technologies and companies.
WWEP's longer term strategic goals are reflected in its vision statement:
Working in partnership to maintain and enhance a prosperous, dynamic, sustainable economy for the benefit of all those who live, learn and work.
If you would like a copy of the current Action Plan 2003/4, please call Len Turner 01225 712332 or email lturner@westwiltshire.gov.uk
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