Corporate Plan 2007-12 and Business Plan 2007-08
Foreword
North East England is entering a crucial phase in its transformation into a world class economy. It is moving forward with a bold agenda for change in key areas, such as the creation of more knowledge intensive businesses, embracing the benefits of new technology and better positioning itself to take advantage of the huge economic opportunities available in the global marketplace.
We are very encouraged by the widespread support of business and stakeholders for the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and its ambitious programme of delivery as set out in the RES Action Plan.
One North East’s Corporate Plan 2007-2012 sets out how we will contribute to this blueprint for economic growth by setting strategic priorities to help drive new prosperity. The Corporate Plan has been produced under the guidance of the Agency’s Board, whose combined expertise across business, local government, rural, education, trade union and voluntary sectors, adds clarity to the plan.
Our focus remains on the three priorities of Business, People and Place – the areas in which the North East has world class strengths and huge potential for future growth. Our strategic aim is to respond to the challenges of developing a strong, inclusive and sustainable regional economy based on world-class business performance.
Exciting projects such as Newcastle Science City confirm the collective determination of the North East to place our region at the forefront of UK knowledge-led economic growth. The exploitation of the knowledge economy is at the core of economic regeneration, but we will continue to support other areas of industry which can help us achieve a step change in economic performance.
To aid this process, business support within the region has entered a new era with the formation of Business Link North East. This new organisation will lead a streamlined support offer, tailor-made to the specific needs of individual companies.
The Agency is pushing ahead with a programme of delivery against a background of success – an Independent Performance Assessment carried out by the National Audit Office (NAO) rating the Agency as ‘performing strongly’. The clear vision and regional leadership praised by NAO inspectors will be crucial in helping the North East substantially raise its economic game, to cut the productivity gap with the average of the combined English regions.
The Agency’s prudent financial management and impressive performance track record continues to place ever greater emphasis on achieving maximum value for every pound of Agency investment, including leverage of other public and private sector funding. We have submitted our representation to the Treasury regarding the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which is likely to set challenging financial targets for the next public sector spending round.
During much of 2007, the Agency will be the lead Regional Development Agency (Chair of Chairs) leading liaison with Government on behalf of all RDAs. This is an opportunity to influence a wide range of stakeholders on behalf of the RDA network and to foster good working relationship with Ministers.
The North East economy is enjoying growth outstripping virtually every other area of the country, with unemployment at low levels not seen for decades and general positivity for the year ahead from our business base. This upbeat message and the mobilisation of support across both the private and public sectors will be a powerful driver of the change needed to raise our economic performance and allow the region to reap the benefits it so richly deserves.
Margaret Fay |
Alan Clarke |
Table of Contents
The following links open up PDF documents in a new window each time.
INTRODUCTION (pdf) 22KB
STRATEGIC CONTEXT (pdf) 147KB
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Business (pdf) 179KB
Enterprise
Business Solutions
Industry, Innovation and Science
People (pdf) 117KB
Skills
Economic Inclusion
Leadership
Place (pdf) 78KB
Quality of Place
Promoting the Region
THE NORTHERN WAY (pdf) 24KB
DELIVERING THE PLAN (pdf) 31KB
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (pdf) 68KB
GLOSSARY OF TERMS (pdf) 18KB
ANNEXES
- Agency Expenditure/Income Summary, and DTI Target Summary 2007-08
- Programme Expenditure/Income Summary 2007-12 and DTI Targets 2007-08
- Contribution to PSAs and Key Government Policies
- Cross Cutting Programmes Information
- Northern Way Programme Expenditure/Income Summary
