A Local Economic Development Strategy for North Down, Northern Ireland – Great Example of Regional awareness and collaboration

In the age of the Knowledge Economy there is a clear national and regional
development agenda aimed at promoting high value, knowledge intensive
employment.

Increasing the overall value of locally produced knowledge-based goods and
services is vital to the future economic well-being of everyone living in North
Down – and beyond. However, it must also be recognised that there are
vitally important service sectors – such as hospitality, retailing and personal
care – which are much less knowledge intensive than say, software
development or electronic design.

These are particularly important to the economy of North Down for various
reasons. They provide valuable employment opportunities for those with a
limited record of academic achievement. However, that is not to say they
don’t have their own distinctive skills development needs. On the contrary,
there is a clear demand for people with customer handling abilities and other
non-academic capabilities such as caring and personal service skills.

The importance of meeting these requirements is just one of the central
issues addressed in this Local Economic Development Strategy, which has
been developed in consultation with local businesses, employees, investors,
stakeholders and residents.

It aims to identify the dynamics of the Borough in terms of businesses, skills
and education and land and property. It provides an analysis of trends
affecting local economic development; an assessment of the current impact
of those trends; and a forecast of what their future effects are likely to be.
The strategy also outlines recommendations on overcoming obstacles that
are hindering the Borough from realising its full economic development
potential.

To be successful, this strategy must complement those produced by other
government, regional and sub regional organisations. For this reason, in pulling this plan together, the strategies of each of the Northern Ireland
government departments and their agencies were examined in detail and
their potential local impact assessed. As part of this work, a regional context
overview was produced to enable those wishing to further investigate
particular aspects of relevant policies to do so in detail.

Looking towards the end of the first decade of the 21st Century, we see a
global economy with more uncertainty and less job security yet with even
greater opportunities. This strategy describes in detail how we, working
together with our partners, will equip individuals and local business to setup,
survive, strengthen and succeed in this new environment over the next
five years.

In approaching this task, we can derive confidence from the fact that as far
back as 1996, North Down had a reputation for innovative and forwardthinking
strategies. The new SIGNAL Business Centre and the Business Village
projects at Balloo South, Bangor are two examples of the fruits of this work.
I would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by the SIGNAL
Steering Group in the compilation of this strategy and look forward to the
continuing support of the business community in its implementation.
As we move forward, we have access to the latest and best tools, people,
networks and opportunities. With the strategic framework now in place, we
hope you will join us in the challenge of capitalising on these advantages to
the benefit of the Borough as a whole.

Alderman Leslie Cree, MBE. MLA.

Chairman, Economic Development Sub-Committee

North Down Borough Council

Full Report: http://www.matr.net/Strategy05a.pdf

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Many thanks to Nick Rogers for passing this along. We can all learn from their fine example. Regional awareness, collaboration and cooperation do work. Thanks for sharing Nick. Russ

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Nick Rogers, MSc.

Economic Development Officer

North Down Borough Council

http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/

For more information on North Down visit our website at http://www.northdown.gov.uk