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What is WECA ? It ’ s an awful name for the West of England Combined Authority and it may be a name we need to rethink . I don ’ t believe most residents know what it means , what it stands for and it has become jargon which has , in my view , little resonance for those who actually live in the West of England .
Where are you starting ? I ’ m listening – and I really mean listening and I ’ m keen to listen . I ’ m not waiting to speak or just talking without purpose . I want to hear many voices across an area which is extraordinarily diverse . How would you improve this region ? It ’ s a region which includes two major cities , large urban areas , market towns through to some very rural areas , all of which have challenges as well as assets . We want people to visit , to live and work here and to start businesses here .
What role does the city of Bath play in your vision ?
It ’ s central to it . It ’ s the jewel in the crown for the West of England . It ’ s a World Heritage Site , it ’ s always attracted visitors and tourists going back generations . Its history is inspirational and that makes it a powerful magnet for showing the world what a wonderful region we live in . Somehow that wonderful status appears to have been dimmed in recent years and I believe we have to work hard to extend its reach both nationally and globally . Bath is a great ‘ product ’ to the rest of the world , it brings people to the West of England and that gives us an advantage .
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What are your first priorities ? I think it ’ s around the word connections . We need to think about being connected through transport and transport links while being responsible around the environment and our planet . Our plans to get to net zero are challenging yet I support them , so we have to work together to ensure that the West of England is connected in terms of transport and also as green as possible . There are already plans afoot for this in Bath and Bristol and I ’ m sure there will be teething problems ; it ’ s a complex matter .
Our region is , and often has been , pioneers and we have to help businesses and trade cope and thrive through these changes . I want to look at connectivity by train and affordable train fares . We need to allow people to make decisions to use greener transport because it makes financial sense and perhaps even enable them to walk , where practical , rather than take their car . We also need to think in terms of broadband connectivity . I believe this is essential and it has not happened . Too many areas have poor connectivity ( I ’ ve experienced this myself ). We are often told what the ‘ maximum ’ speed is and yet we don ’ t often get that . We need good connectivity to be accessible AND affordable as people are increasingly disadvantaged in so many ways if they cannot sustain good connectivity . This is true for both businesses and for residents .
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What other matters are you hoping to address ?
Money is one . This region has had no more money allocated to it during the time my predecessor held this role . I ’ ll be lobbying for more money . We face some challenges and one of the biggest ones will be the ageing population and the fact that this region has an older demographic . I believe the statistics show that one in ten of us will soon know someone in our families who will have dementia and these people will have extra caring responsibilities . This will be a huge challenge when it comes to care and the NHS and will also impact on another important matter – housing .
I ’ m very interested in exploring the concept of ‘ modular ’ housing where homes are built on a model which allows the interior to be changed more easily to suit the changing needs of the people living within that home . Your needs when you have a family will be different to when you are older and may need care . Is there a more effective way of making a home fit for purpose throughout life ?
Business and trade is very important too . It ’ s been a difficult year and we have to help those who run businesses the opportunity to catch up . Brexit is done however it ’ s unclear what its impact will be , though I ’ m listening to many stories from those who are concerned and facing practical problems as a result . We do have the advantage of the port of Bristol which is an important asset for the region that we need to shout about .
I ’ ll also be reaching out to famous and well-known names and influencers in the West of England to help me ( and all of us ) raise the profile of the region , asking them to speak out about how great the West of England is as a home , as a place to visit and a place to do business .
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"... it is a powerful magnet for showing the world what a wonderful region we live in ."
@ WestofEnglandCA
For more info : www . westofengland-ca . gov . uk
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2021 7 |