A LOCAL business group is creating a new Local Industrial Strategy aimed at driving up productivity across Berkshire.
At its launch, The Thames Valley Berkshire LEP said that during a period of economic uncertainty, it has a responsibility to respond and shape such a strategy, known as a BLIS.
The BLIS Document sets out five priorities and poses a number of questions to ensure that it meets the needs of local stakeholders.
And TVLEP said that its publication marks a key milestone in the process of developing the BLIS, ahead of ‘co-design’ with government, as all Local Industrial Strategies must eventually be co-owned to ensure they contribute to the national Industrial Strategy.
The BLIS Framework Document will be supported by other documents – notably a full evidence base; a spatial economic narrative; and a set of implementation plans as well as the LEP’s extant Sector Propositions and Business in Berkshire publication of 2018.
To ensure it’s deliverable, the LEP is seeking the endorsement of key stakeholders in Thames Valley Berkshire for the Framework Document, as well as input into its Chapter 6 – vision, strategy and priorities. The Document therefore poses a number of short questions to enable individuals and organisations to comment. The closing date for responses is midday on Friday, June 21.
Peter Read, Chair of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said: “Four years into implementing our Strategic Economic Plan, the LEP is leading on the development of Berkshire’s Local Industrial Strategy.
“Substantive work has been done, with many partners and stakeholders already consulted. Now we are asking for more input and importantly, the support of the business, local authority, community and education sectors to enable us to move forward and work with central government.
“Despite this time of great uncertainty and numerous distractions, we encourage everyone to respond to the questions and help us shape an economy that Thames Valley Berkshire, its residents, businesses and future workforce deserve.”
For more, email BLIS@thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk
