Introduction David Ralph, HotSW LEP CEO
In the past three years public and private sector partners have come together with Government to review the opportunities of the local economy in the snappily titled Heart of the South West Resilience & Opportunities Group (HEROG). Actions resulting from HEROG have included maximising the roll out of support grants, developing the South West investment fund, identifying opportunities for clean and inclusive growth, and supporting authorities to deliver recovery plans.
For example, this month the area secured further funding from the Department for Education for a third year of Skills Bootcamps, to support further training for in-demand digital and technical skills.
The group is chaired by the Chief Executive of Devon County Council, who is able to bring a South West perspective, and was originally formed to look at the opportunities and challenges of Brexit. However, it has been sufficiently fleet of foot to look at Covid-19 issues and more recently the energy crisis, cost of living challenges, and impact of the war in Ukraine. By having Government officials ‘in the room’ our businesses, trade associations, representative bodies, and public authorities are able to provide real time examples from across the region directly into Government, which can be followed through with appropriate action. Often the asks, particularly through the pandemic, were for clarity, but have also included a presentation on the Homes for Ukraine scheme; the development of guidance on the use of public spaces during the pandemic; lobbying for support for the visitor economy; updates on the vaccine roll out and lockdown protocols; the implications of post-Brexit changes to the Basic Payment Scheme on farmers and the rural economy; and support for a whole farm advisory service.
This convening power enables the LEP and our partners to understand the challenges and opportunities collectively, and respond in real time to Government with one voice. Hopefully. It aligns our key stakeholders through a common purpose, creating a powerful voice and message for our region.
These opportunities and challenges do not abate. We know that it is our poorest communities which will suffer most through inflation and cost of living increases, and many of our businesses are in a fragile state due to recent challenges. Many organisations are calling for more urgent action from Government to address cost of living rises, and the LEP will continue to focus on key transformational opportunities, specifically clean growth, which will deliver a higher skilled, higher wage economy; increasing prosperity while making the area more resilient to external forces
David Ralph
Chief Executive
'Economic shock' predicted for rural economy
A new report commissioned by the LEP identifies £883 million is predicted to be lost from the rural economy up to 2027 across Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset as farmers and other land managers come to terms with the move away from Common Agricultural Policy support.
The transition is proving difficult, and the replacement Sustainable Farming Initiative has had an uncertain start in the region. The South West’s rural economy is particularly vulnerable to the financial impact of the transition. With farming being a significant driver for the region’s economy, the predicted impact on the sector’s supply chains, producers, suppliers, business owners and workers is widespread. Read the report to find out more about the impact.
Build Back Better: farming and food
We are delivering on clean and inclusive growth through the Build Back Better plan, addressing the area’s structural challenges and opportunities through investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation.
The recently refreshed plan includes a stronger focus on the farming and food sector.
Build Back Better has a distinctive focus to deliver on clean and inclusive growth based around the area’s transformational opportunities, and aims to tackle the long-standing structural challenges the area faces. It is rooted in the ambitious vision of our Local Industrial Strategy.
Floating offshore wind for the South West
A new report has revealed how the opportunities from developing Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea can be maximised. FLOW allows the deployment of wind turbines in locations with higher wind potential, opening up alternate opportunities for development.
The Celtic Sea was previously overlooked for fixed offshore wind development due to the seabeds depths, however, FLOW has reignited the opportunity for large scale offshore renewable energy generation in the South West. The research, carried out by Regen, assessed the wide economic opportunities FLOW presents for Devon and Somerset.
Solar Park approved for Torbay Hospital
Torbay’s first Solar Park, which will be at Nightingale Park, has been approved.
The £3.1 million scheme will see the construction of solar panels, which will see renewable energy created for Torbay Hospital and fed from the site by an underground cable.
The scheme will also improve the wider area of Nightingale Park including improvements to the paths as well as enhancements to the area that will ensure the wildlife can continue to flourish. Torbay Hospital will be using the power generated by the panels to support their plans to become carbon neutral
Climate change and Sustainability in Housing
Our CEO David Ralph spoke at the National Housing Federation’s Climate Change and Sustainability in Housing conference this month, alongside Dr Miatta Fahnbulleh, Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation, and Justin Rowlatt, BBC Climate Editor.
They discussed how the sector can collaborate to procure services, advance solutions and promote sector capacity to meet net-zero targets, and work with government, local authorities and partners to deliver healthy homes and reduce fuel poverty. David also spoke about how climate change fits with the national levelling up agenda.
Funding boost for hydrogen innovation
South West-based Emerald Green Power have won a share of funding from the Government’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 Competition. Emerald Green Power leads a consortium with the University of Exeter and City Science Corporation.
The consortium looks at the feasibility of using Hydrogen Hubs to decarbonise the UK, using AI-driven digital twin technology. Emerald Green’s aim is to deliver a solution-based deployment platform to help councils, industry, and businesses in the UK to reach Net Zero, de-risking commercialisation by initially mapping the current Carbon Footprint of an Industrial Park.
Half a million available for local businesses
The Heart of the South West LEP’s Devon and Somerset inward investment grant scheme has received an additional £450,000 funding boost to support business growth.The grant scheme offers 40% match funding up to £150,000, and is aimed at foreign-owned businesses.
The funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund, part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, and invites foreign-owned companies to invest in the area to boost the region’s economy and create high-value jobs in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. There is £300,000 available to Somerset businesses, and £560,000 available for businesses across Devon. Get in touch to apply: carla.modley@heartofswlep.co.uk
Free data analytics training
Registration is open to Somerset businesses for the final set of free in-person training events, delivered by the University of Exeter and Somerset Council, which will take place at the Collar Factory in Taunton on 16th June.
The training will help you maximise your understanding of data analytics and up-skill your team. The university are also running virtual focus group sessions in July, offering businesses in Somerset the chance to share their views on using data in exchange for a £20 gift voucher for either a local Somerset business or Amazon.
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
£1.8m for Devon & Cornwall Skills Bootcamps
Devon County Council and Cornwall Council have been awarded £1.8 million funding from the Department for Education’s National Skills Fund to run a third year of Skills Bootcamps. The Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks.
The courses offer adults the opportunity to retrain into in-demand job roles in emerging and growth sectors. The bootcamps are designed alongside employers, to ensure people are developing industry skills that meet current recruitment needs. The bootcamps will run from July 2022 until March 2023, with learners supported to secure employment after their training has been completed.
Rail Minister visits Dartmoor Line
We were delighted to meet with Rail Minister Wendy Morton this month, following her visit to Okehampton on the Dartmoor Line, which was re-opened last year as part of the Restoring Your Railway programme. The Minister was briefed on further plans to reopen stations.
The next stations scheduled to reopen are Wellington in Somerset and Cullompton in Devon. As part of the LEP’s ambition to improve connectivity across the Heart of the South West, we are also supporting the proposed re-opening of the rail line to Tavistock, which would help to connect residents and businesses between Tavistock and Plymouth.
Ofsted presentation on personal development
Globalbridge is facilitating a presentation from HMI and national Ofsted lead Roary Pownall on Tuesday 28th June, looking into how personal development is inspected at schools, and key indicators of effective practice.
The presentation will cover why personal development is important for children and young people, how Ofsted inspect personal development in schools, how schools can feel prepared for it, and key indicators of effective practice.
