A review of the issues in developing local business in East Devon

1. The development of the economy in
East Devon
Mike Allen Councillor

2. Unemployment 2015

3. East Devon Development

4. What businesses say of East Devon
Quality of life is vital – ours is
excellent with longer life, quality
landscape, leisure and
entertainment
Education is critical for the future
and our schools are among the
very best in the country
Housing and staff costs are
significantly lower than in the
Southeast or South Midlands
Location is a vital key for our
success. We are positioned
within easy access of the UK’s
main business centres, via 2
airports, extensive motorway
connections and sea ports at
Poole, Plymouth and Bristol
The quality of life which East
Devon offers is high, and the
businesses who are here rate the
area highly but those outside have
little knowledge of this area
We have highly skilled people,
land for businesses, business
support and transportation The
only restrictions we face are the
limits of our imagination

5. Key Facts: East Devon
In 2011, resident population of over 132,000
Age profile is older than the national average but the
inland towns are younger than the regional profile
Above national average population growth over the
last 25 years (19% compared to 10%)
Excellent location in southwest England, easy access
to London, Bath, Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter
An established, steady and successful economy
Location of world-class companies such as MET Office
Excellent opportunities for small businesses
Key Partnerships include Exeter University and Airport

6. Demand for Business Land
Studies of workspace found a demand for additional
workspace across the District estimated at some
46,229m² and this requirement was confirmed by a
2012 survey. Much of this was expansion on existing
or immediately available land.
These aspirations are likely to be low-end as the
current economic situation improves

7. Farmland

8. Business size
East Devon has 91% of enterprises employing 0 to
4 people with a large number of sole traders
Demand for expansion above 3,000 sq.ft premises is
low but still needed. Most expansion needs are for
space 1,000 – 3,000 sq.ft,
There is large demand for new business premises
below 1,000 sq ft but of more modern quality

15. Some rural sites

16. Key Facts: Business and
Enterprise
Significant Growth Point and Science Park linked with Exeter University
Above average output per worker
Growth expected in technology, business services, transport and
communications in particular
High business start up and survival rates
Proximity to via A303 to London, rest of SW
North-South Rail and Road routes to Bristol and M4, South Wales and
Midlands
It is outstanding as a place to live as well as to work
It is located in close proximity to other major economies which provide
large numbers of quality employees growth sectors
Ongoing gradual employment decline of Manufacturing and Defence is
cushioned by Science-based, Business and Financial Services, leisure,
hospitality, food and tourism industries
Good employment growth in higher added value growth employment
service sectors

17. Key Facts: Employment and
Skills
History of high economic activity rates and employment rates
High proportion of residents qualified to NVQ 3 and above
High proportion of higher level occupations amongst the resident
population
Lower than UK average resident based earnings
Many higher skilled residents commute to jobs outside in Exeter
Many young labour market entrants have the skills they need for
employment
Aging population represents a significant source of income to the
economy

18. Requirements and
Challenges: Recent Feedback
We ensure an adequate supply of land and premises for business growth
We Focus on attracting and establishing Science – based businesses
We Prepare for the low carbon economy with Environmental businesses
Significant ICT/Mobile/Broadband Connectivity improvements
Improving road and rail transport network
Maximising proximity to M4 and attracting investment
We attract graduates and graduate level jobs because of the lifestyle
We are developing people for new economy jobs

19. Strategy for the development of the economy in East
Devon from 2015 to 2025
‘A resilient, sustainable and competitive economy characterised by
a greater proportion of higher value, higher skilled jobs
Resilient –better able to respond to shocks in the global economy by
broadening the employment base so the economy is less dependent on
public sector employment and on activity in neighbouring areas for trade and
jobs. Ensuring that the right environment for new business starts and
the survival of existing business is provided.
Sustainable – enabling the transition to a low carbon economy
characterised by reduced waste, greater energy efficiency, improved transport
movements and greater renewable energy production.
We support key growth sectors that have the greatest prospects of growth
in the future and which deliver higher productivity and value to our economy.
Competitive – creating a location of choice where businesses are
attracted, welcomed, listened to, involved in setting local economic priorities and
supported in terms of the availability of appropriate infrastructure and skills
This is about building confidence to encourage private sector investment in this area

20. Strategic Objective 1
Broaden the employment base so that East Devon is
less dependent on low wage employment, low value-
added economic activity and improves trade with
neighbouring areas and export markets
 Identifying and supporting key growth sectors that deliver
high productivity and value
 Creating a supportive environment for business start-up and
survival
 Attracting inward investment
 Supporting skills development, enterprise and innovation
 Promoting social enterprise and sustainable communities

21. Strategic Objective 2
Provide the infrastructure that will create a business
location of choice
 Providing the opportunity to listen to and involve businesses
in setting local economic priorities
 Removing unnecessary institutional Council bureaucracy
 Create vibrant places where people wish to live and work
and businesses wish to invest – priorities include:
 Regeneration of key town centres
 The provision of adequate employment land and
workspace served by next generation ICT infrastructure
 Improved entertainment and leisure in and around town
centres
 Successful lobbying for a more effective transport network
which supports the growth of the economy

22. Strategic Objective 3
Improve the skills and employability of locally based
workers and unemployed residents.
 Bringing business, community and civic leaders together in
partnership to set clear local priorities that reflect the future needs
of employers and small business growth
 Develop effective Careers Counselling and graduate retention
opportunities, encourage and supporting the provision and take up
of apprenticeships
 Encourage and enable people to enter and re-enter the labour
market. Raise the basic ICT and language skills levels of Area
East young people and locally based workers
 Encourage and develop access to local further and higher
education access and business training provision

23. Strategic Objective 4
Enable the transition to a sustainable economy
 Encouraging the reduction of commercial waste and the
introduction of energy efficiency measures within new
developments
 Promoting sustainable transport
 Promoting renewable energy production
 Encouraging sustainable practices, especially recycling,
energy reduction and waste reduction within existing
businesses and services

24. Questions and Comments