West of England Combined Authority plans meet backlash
A multi-million pound plan has been launched to rebuild the region’s economy, protect jobs, retrain workers and create a greener recovery.
Two council leaders say the West of England Combined Authority’s (Weca’s) “ambitious” strategy does not go far enough in helping people work from home in rural areas or including everyone in future prosperity.
The plan is the result of the region’s recovery taskforce, comprising 180 local experts in industry, education and communities, which has spent months prioritising what is needed.
Weca committee approved it on Friday, October 9, along with an extra £4.4 million – almost double the amount allocated initially in June – for a string of projects to help the area bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The money will pay for business support, skills and employment initiatives and act as a “catalyst” for innovative projects such as reinvigorating high streets which have been hit hard by lockdown.
A total of £1.9million has been committed to Weca’s Low Carbon Challenge Fund to help organisations review energy use and renewable resources, with a £2million boost to increase digital skills.
But Bath & North East Somerset Council leader Cllr Dine Romero told the meeting: “While we will agree to this being approved, there is much more work that could be done.
“One area is around those groups who are underrepresented and how we can engage with those groups.”
North Somerset Council leader Cllr Don Davies said: “I am concerned about the rural economy because there are a lot more people now who are keen to set up their own business from home.
“A lot of that is quite rural and I’m getting numerous complaints about broadband connectivity and the ability to even do business in rural areas.
“This recovery is going to be two-foild – the work we’re doing in town and city centres is important, they are going to change markedly, but the one thing that’s definitely changing already is the movement into the rural economy.
“They need the tools to run their businesses and work from home, and that is lacking in the report.”
Metro mayor Tim Bowles said there were challenges around reliable internet access in both urban and rural areas and that broadband was crucial for businesses, jobs and including everyone in the recovery.
He said: “Today really is an important step along our road to the region’s economic recovery.
“Our ambitious plans devised by our taskforce sets out how we will rebuild business, protect and secure well-paid jobs and help to renew our region while making sure everyone in our communities has an opportunity to share in our future success.
“It builds on the package of measures we’ve already announced during the last six months to help our residents and businesses deal with this unprecedented situation.”
The plan sets out five ambitions:
- Rebuilding business, helping new and existing companies to survive and thrive, and to safeguard and create jobs;
- Getting residents back into jobs that pay above the living wage and offer employment security through training and work to match skills to opportunities;
- Strengthen inclusion, preventing further widening of inequalities and building an inclusive economy where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential;
- A green recovery, using changes in behaviour brought about by the pandemic to accelerate transition to net zero carbon;
- Renewing places, creating greener, healthier, more vibrant places to live and work.
It can be read here.