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Bath & North East Somerset Council , on behalf of the Economic Recovery and Renewal Board , has recently completed an engagement exercise involving over a hundred local stakeholders to create a renewal vision for the local economy in response to the pandemic .
The Recovery and Renewal Board was set up as an immediate response to Covid-19 to co-ordinate support for the local economy and is made up of local businesses and other groups including City of Bath College , Bath Business Improvement District ( BID ) and our two universities .
Following independent research carried out by City Global Futures , a report entitled ‘ One Shared Vision ’ has been published , setting out a new agenda to create a fairer , greener , more creative and connected region ; Bath with North East Somerset .
It proposes a new medium to longerterm framework to encourage a diverse economy as we head into recovery mode . The vision also suggests thinking about new ways of working to help our area thrive , prosper and tackle inequalities , all within the limits of the planet and the region ’ s natural resources . The report emphasises that Bath , Radstock , Midsomer Norton , Keynsham , Paulton , Peasedown , Chew Magna and our many
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other villages and rural areas form a partnership of communities which it terms Bath with North East Somerset .
Councillor Richard Samuel , Deputy Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Chair of the Economic Recovery and Renewal Board , said , “ One Shared Vision is the result of the work which was started last summer in anticipation of the need to plan for postpandemic recovery and renewal . Now that lockdown is easing , albeit with much uncertainty ahead , this forward thinking is now bearing fruit .
“ The pandemic highlighted a number of weaknesses in our local economy and One Shared Vision sets out a new direction . We saw during lockdown the high dependency of our economy on visitors and tourism . As we renew and recover , we will also need to make sure our visitor economy feeds through into a higher-wage economy and also helps us meet our climate and ecological emergency goals – for example , by encouraging longer stays . We have learnt much over the past year and as we emerge from Covid we have the opportunity to build resilience .”
City Global Futures carried out surveys , one-to-one zoom interviews and a series of workshops with residents , stakeholders from a wide range of sectors , elected members and all members of the
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Economic Recovery and Renewal Board . Alongside this work , the Council ran a month-long online ‘ community dialogue ’ on the emerging themes of the vision from the stakeholder interviews and workshops , allowing over 70 residents to comment and contribute their ideas , which were taken into account in the development of One Shared Vision .
Councillor Sarah Warren , Deputy Leader of the Council and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel , added , “ We have what is perhaps a once in a lifetime chance to build back greener and better , which will be crucial in helping us tackle the climate and ecological emergency . I ’ d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the work so far . This is the beginning of a wider process that will for the first time bring together all partners in our area around a shared vision for our future . The overriding message has been that as well as setting out a long-term direction for renewal , we should ensure that our vision delivers real action .”
The engagement with local organisations in developing the vision has already led to new collaborations . The Royal United Hospital is incorporating the new vision into its strategic development planning for more integrated health and wellbeing services brought closer to
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local people . In addition , the Bath Bridge has offered to undertake a review of the Cultural and Creative Strategy under the umbrella of the new vision , particularly ensuring engagement across all parts of Bath with North East Somerset and its young people .
The next steps include :
• Support for community action to
tackle the climate and ecological emergencies , including work that contributes to ‘ green recovery ’, such as on renewable energy and home energy efficiency .
• Working with partners to implement the proposed ‘ inspirational actions ’ from the vision report .
• Further engagement with the community on the vision and action planning , particularly with the voluntary and community sector and with young people .
Read the One Shared Vision report online at : www . investinbath . co . uk
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REALISING THE VISION |
THE LOCAL PLAN |