1. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Economic Development Our Vision and Role?

2. How the Town is Perceived EHDC “in transition” EHDC “in transition” A minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sites A minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sites Traditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significance Traditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significance Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive place to visit Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive place to visit employment land & premises a key challenge, critical to identify sufficient space employment land & premises a key challenge, critical to identify sufficient space Marketing and Inward Investment important for competitiveness Marketing and Inward Investment important for competitiveness opportunity to extend evening economy/link to an emerging cultural quarter opportunity to extend evening economy/link to an emerging cultural quarter Wessex Economics – “town faces two challenges” Wessex Economics – “town faces two challenges” accommodating the potential for growth without sacrificing quality of life accommodating the potential for growth without sacrificing quality of life provision of modern business space for employers in the right location provision of modern business space for employers in the right location Regeneris/ Hertfordshire Employment Sites Study “potential at risk” Regeneris/ Hertfordshire Employment Sites Study “potential at risk” opportunities related to Stansted airport – opportunities related to Stansted airport – possible sub-regional business area but no suitable sites, few vacancies possible sub-regional business area but no suitable sites, few vacancies Future site locations unclear – significant risk town’s potential cannot be realised Future site locations unclear – significant risk town’s potential cannot be realised Common message: Town has potential to grow economically but: Common message: Town has potential to grow economically but: We don’t have the employment sites We don’t have the employment sites We don’t have a clear picture where they will go We don’t have a clear picture where they will go © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

3. Economic Development - The Players Hertfordshire Local Enterprise partnership Hertfordshire Local Enterprise partnership Government’s chosen growth engine Government’s chosen growth engine Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford significantly Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford significantly Currently competing for funding 2015 onwards Currently competing for funding 2015 onwards Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire County Council Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”, “Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects (through the LEP) Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”, “Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects (through the LEP) East Herts District Council East Herts District Council Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic Development project manager, various project activities Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic Development project manager, various project activities Chamber of Commerce, Retail Partnership Chamber of Commerce, Retail Partnership BusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investment BusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investment Support to members, Networking events Support to members, Networking events Lobbying Lobbying Our role and focus? Our role and focus? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

4. District Councils - Example activities East Herts District Council East Herts District Council Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets, Local Economy Audit, Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, Industrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobs Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets, Local Economy Audit, Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, Industrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobs Wychavon Council Wychavon Council JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high street. JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high street. Wycombe District Council Wycombe District Council led major retail development: department store, M&S, Sainsbury’s, 54 retail units, civic square, restaurants and cafes, cinema complex, bowling rink, new library & bus terminal, 48 residential units. led major retail development: department store, M&S, Sainsbury’s, 54 retail units, civic square, restaurants and cafes, cinema complex, bowling rink, new library & bus terminal, 48 residential units. Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs created. Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs created. Calderdale Calderdale Managed £2.8 million fund to stimulate the economy, over 60 projects commissioned. Managed £2.8 million fund to stimulate the economy, over 60 projects commissioned. Local shopping campaign drawing in private sector investment of £2.9 million Local shopping campaign drawing in private sector investment of £2.9 million Wyfe Forest District Council Wyfe Forest District Council £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate discounts. £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate discounts. Bicester Bicester Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys) Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

5. Town/Parish Councils – Example activities 90 out of 353 ‘larger’ councils engaged: Scope, content and definition varies widely 90 out of 353 ‘larger’ councils engaged: Scope, content and definition varies widely BSTC (principal activities) BSTC (principal activities) Co-fund EDPM (10K), CCTV(22K), Christmas lights(14K), Carnival(11K), Toilets(7K), ‘In Bloom’ (7k), Empty Shops project Co-fund EDPM (10K), CCTV(22K), Christmas lights(14K), Carnival(11K), Toilets(7K), ‘In Bloom’ (7k), Empty Shops project Devizes Devizes 20K for CCTV 20K for CCTV Falmouth Falmouth 86K for Town Centre manager and BID support 86K for Town Centre manager and BID support Hailsham Hailsham 27K for town regeneration/business enterprise 27K for town regeneration/business enterprise Hatfield Hatfield Match-fund Town Centre Coordinator Match-fund Town Centre Coordinator Houghton Regis, Litchfield Houghton Regis, Litchfield Staff time only Staff time only Woodley Woodley 12K to support Town Centre Manager 12K to support Town Centre Manager Sawbridgeworth Sawbridgeworth fund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch on fund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch on Frome – very active Frome – very active Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Town Team & Economic Development Plan, Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Town Team & Economic Development Plan, Business Networking, Welcome pack for investors & new residents, Empty shops project, Skills training workshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local app Business Networking, Welcome pack for investors & new residents, Empty shops project, Skills training workshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local app Christmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other events (15.5k), Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research (10k) Christmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other events (15.5k), Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research (10k) Keep Frome Clean Keep Frome Clean © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

6. Questions What is our vision for the economic development of the Town? What is our vision for the economic development of the Town? What is our role in the context of the other players? What is our role in the context of the other players? How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be ‘all things to all people’? How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be ‘all things to all people’? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

7. Backup

8. Economic Development Project Manager – Recent History Origins Origins ‘Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC (nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each) ‘Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC (nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each) Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization (principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices) Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization (principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices) Transition Transition 2009-2011 - Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things to all people” 2009-2011 - Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things to all people” Town Centre Partnership placing challenging demands Town Centre Partnership placing challenging demands Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to manage Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to manage 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined, links with TCP redefined 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined, links with TCP redefined Initial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improved Initial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improved Current Current Role free to move with business needs Role free to move with business needs Reviewed annually between BSTC and EHDC Reviewed annually between BSTC and EHDC

9. EDPM 2013/14 Projects Encourage & support investment opportunities, retail and other (50% BSTC funding) Respond to enquiries, signpost, match make, support Produce quarterly retail vacancy rates and use class statistics Operate Bishop’s Stortford Radio Link Operate Drab to Fab = display material for selected empty shops Funded by radio link and occasional grants Support Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce (50% BSTC funding) Establish the viability and sustainability of Business Stortford project, implement or exit - aligned to BSTC Strategic plan Propose ideas to increase Chamber capacity to support members, raise profile & add value Town Centre Events (100% BSTC Funding) Carnival Remembrance Planning WW1 2014 anniversary Christmas Lights (100% BSTC Funding) Management of let Offices on 2 nd floor (100% BSTC Funding) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council