Citizens, businesses and organisations across South East Scotland are being urged to take part in a major consultation to help shape the economic future of the region.
The Regional Prosperity Framework is a draft plan for building the economy of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region, It looks at everything from transport & housing to education & digital inclusion; to economic development & climate change. Views will be sought sought from around the Region to inform the further development of the plan.
The consultation is relevant to individuals, businesses and other organisations, professional bodies and charities. The Regional Prosperity Framework will inform future policy creation across a range of organisations – all aimed at ensuring the region is as resilient as possible going forward, despite current challenges, and has the right infrastructure in place to be a key contributor to the economy of Scotland.
Claire Pattullo, Chair of the Regional Enterprise Council, said:
“This is a hugely important piece of work, particularly as we move into the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and are still assessing the effects of Brexit. The draft has been created to stimulate debate and invite comments to help shape a finalised framework. This will be a document that sets out long-term aspirations for the region and informs policy development for the next 20 years.
“It has been developed with input from public, private and third sector organisations and aims to address the region’s challenges and opportunities to make Edinburgh and South East Scotland a better place to live, work, study, visit and invest for current and future generations.”
Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council’s Depute Leader, said: “The Edinburgh & South East Scotland City region has always been of critical importance to the Scottish economy. Building on the successful partnership that is delivering the £1.3bn Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal, the framework aims to set out an ambitious approach to regional collaboration, looking at how partners can shape national, regional and their own local plans and strategies.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to read the really informative draft and give us their views on this crucial strategy.
"This is a great opportunity for East Lothian to grow and recover our own economy sustainably and to do this we need to have strong connections to our neighbours and to Scotland, the UK and international markets. The best way to do this is to collaborate in this innovative way. We are laying important groundwork to make sure East Lothian continues to flourish into the future for the benefit of all our communities.”
Cllr Ross, Chair of the City Region Deal Joint Committee, said:
“Although it covers a lot of important topics, the consultation has been broken down into sections with guided questions to make it as easy as possible for everyone to give us their thoughts and views on whatever aspects are relevant to them.
“The draft strategy has a strong focus on addressing the challenges of climate change, sustainability, biodiversity loss, inequalities, health and well-being, and the need to create new jobs and businesses while enabling a transition to a net carbon economy. In a rapidly changing environment it’s also important that the plan is adaptable, so it will be subject to regular review and update over its lifetime.”
Key themes are:
- FLOURISHING economy, environment & ecology, households & places
- RESILIENT workforce, climate responses, infrastructure & buildings
- INNOVATIVE Private Sector, Third Sector (including Further & Higher Education) Public Sector
You can see and respond to the consultation online here.
The closing date for responses is Monday, 26 July.
Further information
- The draft Regional Prosperity Framework has been developed by a range of organisations who recognise the significant benefits of coming together and working collaboratively to support the best possible future for the region. Key partners include the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal partners (the six local authorities, together with regional universities, colleges and the Regional Enterprise Council, UK and Scottish Governments), as well as a range of other organisations with a key role in the region such as Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Transport Scotland and SEStran.
- http://esescityregiondeal.org.uk/
- Responses to the consultation can also be submitted by post to:
Aleks Bogacz, Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, Area 2.1, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG – or by email to ESESCR.CityDeal@edinburgh.gov.uk