Resolved –

Council notes that the Bradford Economic Partnership has recently launched its new Economic Strategy, ‘Pioneering, Confident and Connected’, which sets out our ambition to be the UK’s fastest growing economy by increasing the number of productive businesses and supporting young and enterprising people to innovate, invest and build fulfilling lives in the district.

The strategy sets out Bradford’s four key opportunities:

·         Our Young & Enterprising Population – ensuring all our people are equipped with the skills and confident to succeed

·         Our Distinctive Offer – using our unique architecture, heritage and cultural assets to create an environment for growth

·         Our Growth Potential – building on our business and sector strengths to drive innovation, increase productivity and create wealth

·         Our Globally Connected District – improving our transport and digital connectivity to strengthen trading links and access to markets

A number of foundations for growth are already in place, including Community Led Local Development, our Industrial Centres of Excellence, Keighley Business Improvement District and new rail stations at Apperley Bridge and Low Moor.

Over the coming year the Bradford Economic Partnership will work with Bradford Council to deliver further catalysts for growth, rolling out our rate relief scheme, expanding the number of Industrial Centres of Excellence, delivering a Bradford city centre Business Improvement District and supporting the Next Stop Bradford campaign for a high-speed rail link in Bradford City Centre, which has won support in principle from the government minister and Transport for the North.

Sustainable economic growth is vital because it will bring high quality jobs, better living standards and prosperity and more opportunities for a wider range of people to contribute to and share in the district’s future success.

Council resolves to:

·         Thank the Bradford Economic Partnership and its Chair David Baldwin for their leadership on developing this strategy.

·         Engage with all our communities around the strategy, starting with an Economy Roadshow, taking the strategy to locations across the district to discuss ways of working together to unlock our growth potential

·         Work with businesses and the Export Exchange to increase the number of Bradford Export Exchange Patrons, so businesses can support each other to grow and expand their business into new markets

·         Instruct officers to work on the delivery of catalysts for growth, for example the plan to re-purpose heritage mills for a successful new era.

·         Promote Bradford District vigorously across the UK and beyond starting with launching our Economic Strategy in London as well as Bradford.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place