2009 Japan Day Seminar The role of local government in recession: strategies and solutions Sarah Longlands, Director of Policy Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)

Focus – influencing economic development and regeneration policy Membership – local authorities, private, social enterprise Publications – informing policy and effective practice Training and events to support the sector Independent research to understand challenges and influence policy and practice Consultancy trading arm – to fund the activities of the CLES trust Centre for Local Economic Strategies

The speed of investment and disinvestment in localities Growing level of population and spatial developments Demographic change and greater movement of people ongoing environmental resource constraints Growing concern about demands of economic growth versus quality of life and social equity The challenges for local government

In this context it is even more important that the local economies of places are managed and stewarded effectively Perhaps we need less focus on economic growth as end its self and greater recognition of the need not only for growth but for resilience in our economies Resilience: change ready and adaptable, riding global economic punches, recovering quickly, working within environmental benefits and having high levels of social inclusion But what factors contribute towards economic resilience so that the economy, the community and the environment remains strong? The challenges for local government

Resilience

Norfolk Trust Fellowship Research project

PORTLAND

Planning laws which restrict urban growth An extensive and vibrant network of civic engagement A “local” feel, with some antagonism towards big business? PORTLAND PUBLIC COMMERCIAL SOCIAL BROAD ECONOMIC CONTEXT GOVERNMENT WORKING WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS LOCAL ECONOMIC TERRITORY LOCAL IDENTITY AND CONTEXT HISTORY AND CULTURE

YOKKAICHI

Public sector drive behind regeneration A strong focus on innovation Little in the way of a formal social sector, but a collective culture YOKKAICHI PUBLIC COMMERCIAL SOCIAL BROAD ECONOMIC CONTEXT GOVERNMENT WORKING WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS LOCAL ECONOMIC TERRITORY LOCAL IDENTITY AND CONTEXT HISTORY AND CULTURE

1.Local government taking a broad view of the ‘economy’ social, public and commercial are all important for resilience and have a role to play a broad palette of approaches works each blend of components will be unique by place Portland and Yokkaichi stand out in this regard Too much orthodoxy in local economic practice? 4 key lessons for local authorities

2. Local government getting to grips with ‘pulse of place’ Identity and a focus on place matters. Too much homogeneity of practice Too many similar strategies and approaches Relationship to place is key Investment needs to be attracted to place to create some inertia so it does not relocate when factors of production change Physical location - Gdansk Cultural identity – Portland key lessons for local authorities

3. Local government knowing when to intervene and when to get out of the way Extremes of doing very little or overly intervening are both bad policy Getting out of the way can create growth quickly.. But this strategy may not be resilient in the long term? Economic growth is a means to an end NOT an end in itself Intervene to disperse benefits of growth - Portland key lessons for local authorities

4. Local government as a ‘coagulant’ Local government acting as the glue or the fixer A coagulant isi not necessarily about acting and intervening a lot…but perhaps more subtle All areas had it but some more than others Decentralisation/devolution is key Giving away power is power key lessons for local authorities

Taking this research forward: Economic resilience in the UK? Exploring the application of the resilience model in local authorities across the UK Rural districts, core cities, networks of settlements Types of strategies that local authorities are developing to engender resilience in their local communities Can we develop new ideas/new approaches to achieving both economic prosperity along with strong communities and social justice

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