Lancashire Rural Futures Partnership Delivery John Welbank MRICS Program Manager Lancashire Pathfinder Website:

History AREAFOCUS 1998 – 2002 Bowland InitiativeEast LancsLandbased 5b Area 2002 – 2004 LRFEast LancsLandbased/ Obj. 2Other 2004 – 2006 LRFLancashireAll Rural Business LRFLancashireGrowth Sectors & Environment

How We Do It Idea Testing Technical Support Business Connectivity Funding Idea Audit AdviceFunding Business Environmental

Management Structure LRF Structure Management Structure Lancashire Economic Partnership (Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan) Lancashire Rural Futures Steering Group LRF Programme Manager Delivery Team West Delivery Team East

Team Structure Business Link Lancashire County Council Royal Society For the Protection Of Birds Lancashire County Council Business Advisers Marketing Advisers Environmental Advisers Administration (24) Ecologists (3) Environmental Advisers (4) Accountable Body EmployerTeam Specialists

LRF Funding Total E.U Other Partner Contributers - Money - In Kind - Private Lancashire Economic Partnership (Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan) Lancashire County Council (Accountable Body) Lancashire Rural Futures NWDA LeaderObjective 2

Pathfinder Enterprise Research Enterprise Workshop Allocation by Employment Figure 1: % Allocation of Employment in Lancashire Figure 2: Jobs in Clitheroe (7241) – Occupational Breakdown Source:Rural Innovation

East Lancashire Economic Zone Figure 3: Travel to work inflow to Clitheroe Source:Rural Innovation / Census 2001 East Lancashire Economic Zone Figure 4: Travel to work outflow from Clitheroe Source:Rural Innovation / Census 2001

Clitheroe (7241 jobs) Poulton (6017 jobs) Figure 5: Clitheroe vs. Poulton-le-Fylde - Net 'Value' Exchange In / Out Source: Rural Innovation / Census 2001

Business Survey: Key Findings Positives: “Do you expect profits to increase?”-63% YES “What are the benefits to locating in the Ribble Valley?” Attractive Surroundings-98% Limited Congestion-88% Proximity to major conurbations-87% Committed Staff-86% Negatives: “What are the constraints to Business Development?” Cost of Housing-80% Planning-75% Cost of premises-71% Parking and Transport-67% Suitable Staff-58% “Will you need to move?”-14% YES

Key Issues Highlighted: i.)Low Level of High Growth Companies Reasons: -Poor business perception of Key Service Centres -Lack of appropriate workspace -Broadband disadvantages in more rural locations ii.) Perceived and Actual Development Control Restrictions Reasons: -Highways resistance to traffic generation in rural areas -Restricted ability to expand business premises as businesses grow -Time, cost and uncertainty of development control process iii.) Cost of Land/Buildings Reasons: - Low supply in many Key Service Centres -Speculative residential values -Cost of residential property as a barrier to inward migration

Where to Focus Public Intervention Upland Farming Knowledge based economy NEED OPPORTUNITY ?

Delivery Priorities i.) Embed high value, high growth businesses in Rural Lancashire ii.)Support existing rural businesses iii.) Protect and enhance Lancashire’s Environmental qualities iv.)Embed the Climate Change Agenda into rural business support v.) Ensure delivery is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable