4.10
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Blackburn with Darwen
A Plan for Prosperity
2014- 2020
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Contents
Executive Summary
3
Chapter 1 Introduction and Borough Profile
5
Map: Strategic Development
9
Chapter 2 Infrastructure and Housing
10
Chapter 3 Investment
16
Chapter 4 Innovation and Expertise
19
Chapter 5 Employability
20
Chapter 6 Quality of Life
24
Chapter 7 Image and Marketing
28
Chapter 8 Funding
29
Chapter 9 Governance and Delivery
31
APPENDIX A:
Action Plans
34
APPENDIX B:
Information Sources
53
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Executive Summary
This Plan for Prosperity sets out how Blackburn with Darwen’s (BwD) Local Strategic
Partnership Board (LSP) intends to secure greater prospects for the Borough over
the next six years. It brings together the policies and strategies for growth into one
place. It helps us to reflect upon the achievements and activities which are already
underway, at the same time as maintaining momentum for continued progress and
aligning our priorities with new national and European funds.
In March 2014, the LSP held a summit on the emerging plan. The session was
attended by leading figures from the private, public and third sectors and outlined
recent research into the borough’s economy and the emerging priorities
around infrastructure, investment, innovation, employability and quality of life. The
event was an opportunity for businesses to influence and shape the strategy which
will help to align the Borough with wider Lancashire activity. Central to this was
consideration of existing barriers to growth and how we can overcome these, the
main opportunities for growth and what can be done collectively to promote a
positive image of the borough – all of which are listed in the Action plans.
A number of key areas are highlighted in the document, which are fundamental to
the success of the Borough and form individual chapter headings which reflect the
Lancashire LEP priorities and BwD LSP themes:
Infrastructure and Housing
Investment
Innovation
Employability
Quality of Life
Image and Marketing
Funding
Governance and Delivery
Each chapter sets out the topic profile and identifies the relevant issues and
opportunities. Action Plans for each chapter are included in Appendix A.
“Prosperity”
For businesses
More competitive and less risk
For individuals
Better prospects
For the public sector
Achieving greater efficiency and reducing
dependence on services
Opportunity to achieve goals and give
something back
For the voluntary
sector
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
This Plan creates a framework for strengthened focus and partnerships across all
sectors.
Throughout the document, strategic documents are signposted where additional
detail and evidence can be found. A comprehensive list of these information sources
is also included at Appendix B.
The overarching aim of the document is to provide an effective tool to focus on the
projects, activities and interventions which will secure the prosperity of the Borough
to 2020. At the same time we are about to embark on the implementation of the
County-wide Strategic Economic Plan and delivery of the European Strategic
Investment Fund (ESiF) which will provide funding and powers to achieve many of
the goals of this plan.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 1
Introduction and Borough Profile
Borough Profile
Blackburn with Darwen is situated in East Lancashire and covers 137 square
kilometers and in 2012 had a population of 147,700.
The borough is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is a key geographical and
cultural gateway to Pennine Lancashire. It is located between the high land on the
Metropolitan boroughs of Bolton and Bury in the South and Mellor ridge to the
north. The West Pennine Moors form a natural barrier to Chorley and to the east a
barrier to Rossendale. The borough is characterised by relatively compact urban
areas set within countryside. Within the main urban areas both Town Centres are
surrounded by large areas of high density terraced housing. Both towns have
significant areas of “suburban” development, comprising a mix of larger older
properties and more recent development. The borough has significant rural fringes
containing a number of attractive Pennine villages. The landscape in the rural area
has been shaped by farming – sheep on the uplands and dairy cattle on the low-lying
areas – and small-scale mining and quarrying.
The borough’s population is young, diverse and is growing. Data from the 2011
census shows that the workday population of the borough (151,566) is almost 3%
higher than the usual resident population (147,700). The authority has a bias
towards a much younger population than is the norm, and therefore has fewer
people of pensionable age than is the average for England and Wales.
At the district level, the figures reveal that in the youngest age group (0-14 years), as
a proportion of the total population, Blackburn with Darwen had at least one-in-five
of its residents (21.7%) in this category, this compares to 18% in the region and
nationally. Non-white ethnic groups have a much younger age profile with a high
proportion of children. In contrast, 1 in 7 (13.5%) of the population are aged 65 or
over compared to 17% in the region and nationally. Two thirds of the population
(63.4%) is of working age, this is similar to the regional (64%) and national averages
(64.2%).
The number of households in Blackburn with Darwen (with at least 1 resident) grew
from 53,407 to 57,400 between 2001 and 2011, a 7.5% increase. This compares to an
increase of 7.0% in the North West and 7.9% nationally.
Local Economic Profile
Our strategy for economic growth needs to consider the wider context within which
our local economy operates. Blackburn with Darwen is a member of the Lancashire
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which was established in April 2011 to drive economic
growth and job creation. The LEP covers the whole of Lancashire, including the
unitary local authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. It seeks to create
up to 50,000 jobs over the next 10 years and to draw investment into Lancashire.
One of the key priorities for the LEP has been the establishment of the Lancashire
Enterprise Zone (EZ), located within the neighbouring boroughs of Ribble Valley and
South Ribble. Focusing on the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector, the
EZ aims to boost industrial activity and is expected to generate up to 6,000 high
value jobs, many of which are likely to be taken up by people living in Blackburn with
Darwen.
In addition to the EZ, the LEP is central to the delivery of more specific projects
within Blackburn with Darwen such as connectivity improvements to the Clitheroe /
Blackburn / Manchester rail route and Junction 5 of the M65; and funding support
for the Cathedral Quarter development.
Blackburn with Darwen is also an important player within the Pennine Lancashire
sub-region, which includes four other local authorities; Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle
and Rossendale. This group of local authorities, which share economic markets and
travel-to-work areas, work together to pool resources and expertise with the aim of
delivering projects across the sub-region to achieve and encourage investment in the
area.
Overall Economic Performance
Productivity is fundamental to competitiveness and a good indication of an area’s
overall economic health.
Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) are
indicators of economic prosperity that allow comparisons of local, regional and
national performance to be made and to examine progress over time.
Gross Value Added (GVA) is a measure of productivity in an area and shows how
much an area contributes to the UK economy. Gross Value Added (GVA) data
highlights that the borough contributes less to the UK economy per head of
population, than the UK average.
Blackburn with Darwen produced £2.2bn GVA, comprising 1.7% of North West
production. It grew by 3.3% over the year, higher than the regional (2.2%) and
national (1.6%) averages. Average growth in GVA for the ten years to 2012 in
Blackburn with Darwen (3.4%) was similar to the North West (3.5%) but lower than
the national (UK) average (3.7%). In 1997, 38.1% of GVA in Blackburn with Darwen
was generated from manufacturing, with 20.2% from the public sector; by 2012, the
public sector (26.9%) contributed more to GVA than manufacturing (20.6%), GVA
from business services and finance increased from 5% in 1996 to 7.7% in 2012 and
for distribution; transport, accommodation and food from 16.3% to 20.7%.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Indexed GVA per head highlights that for 2012, the boroughs GVA index is 70.9,
which is 29.1 index points below the UK index of 100, this compares to 61.4 for
Blackpool and 78.9 for Lancashire’s 12 authorities.
Gross Disposable Household Income is the amount of money that households have
available for spending or savings after taxes, social contributions, pensions and
housing interest payments have been taken into account.
In absolute terms Blackburn with Darwen had a total GDHI in 2011 amounting to
£1.647 billion, this represents a 0.2% of the national and 1.6% of the regional total.
Within the region, Blackburn with Darwen’s total GDHI was the lowest of the 14
NUTS 1 level 3 authorities.
GDHI per head of the population shows that for Blackburn with Darwen, average
GDHI per head of population in 2011 was £11,722, a fifth lower than the regional
average and a quarter lower than the UK average. It grew by 5.9% between 2010 and
2011 and a modest 2.2% between 2010 and 2011.
Another measure of how well a locality is performing is The UK Competitiveness
Index. This was first developed in 2000 and is now an established method of gauging
changes in competitiveness regionally and in Local Authority Districts. UKCI is a well
established and robust indicator for competitiveness which provides a relative
measure with UK =100. Blackburn with Darwen’s CI score for 2013 was 85.1.
Blackburn with Darwen has fallen 3 places in the rankings between 2010 and 2013,
the competitiveness index score however has only decreased by 1.5PPts during this
time and has remained fairly stable since 2005.
1
The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) is a hierarchical classification of administrative areas,
used across the European Union for statistical purposes. NUTS 3 areas align with local authority boundaries.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
The Unique Strengths of Blackburn with Darwen
The Blackburn with Darwen Development Market Study (2012) included a
comprehensive analysis of the social, economic and physical characteristics of the
Borough, with an aim to provide focus for interventions that will deliver the most
benefits and will provide confidence and clarity to external parties over what is
happening in the Borough. The study highlighted the Borough’s economic and
residential strengths, as illustrated below.
Economic Strengths
Residential Strengths
Town centre retail offer improving
Cathedral Quarter development
Rail connectivity
M65 connectivity
Entrepreneurial culture
Industrial strength
Latent demand for small-medium sized
industrial units
Affordable labour
Growing education sector
Native business loyalty
Blackburn Rovers providing positive brand
Attractive western neighbourhood
Well located for Central Lancashire
Value for money property
Growing student market
Investment in health and education
Easy access to countryside
The study also identified key opportunities for growth:
Economic Opportunities
Improve M65 connections
Former Market Hall site potential for further
retail development
Improved connections – Pennine Reach
Strengthen education offer
Relevant difference - play to strengths rather
than competing with other towns
Delivery of Whitebirk Strategic Employment
Site through a collaborative approach
Adopt flexible planning framework policies
which allow developers to adapt and
respond to prevailing market conditions
Property market to tap into entrepreneurs
Improving retail offer
Residential Opportunities
Promote the safe market town image
Potential student accommodation demand
rising to meet College growth
Potential for affordable housing
requirements to be applied flexibly
Discount compared to Ribble Valley
Preston growth may stimulate Blackburn
residential market
Use of former paper mill sites for residential
development in attractive settings
Asian community seeking residential
expansion
Build to rent model growing in relevance
Developers exploring innovative shared
equity measures
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Strategic Development in Blackburn with Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Core Strategy (2011)
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 2
Infrastructure and Housing
This Plan for Prosperity supports a series of key objectives which are identified
within the Blackburn with Darwen Core Strategy. Central to these objectives is the
provision of employment sites, an effective transport system, housing growth and
successful school provision.
In order to work towards these strategic objectives, the necessary physical, social
and environmental infrastructure must be identified and delivered. Detailed
infrastructure needs are set out in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan
(January 2014).
Prosperity in the Borough requires investment in strategic infrastructure and
improvements to connectivity. Key requirements are shown on the diagram below.
Employment
Land and
Premises
Provision of
Schools
Improvements
to Broadband
and Digital
Connectivity
Improvements
to Rail
Connectivity
Improvements
to Capacity on
the M65
Strategic
Infrastructure
Requirements
Improvements
to the Local
Road Network
Improvements
to Bus Services
Improvements
to the Cycling
Network
In addition to the Borough’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan, a local highways study has
been undertaken which considers Transport Implications on the Local Highway
Network (Dec 2013) and the East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan
(Jan 2014) has been adopted. The Borough’s Local Transport Plan (LTP3) sets out
transport priorities until 2021.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Rail Connectivity
Rail patronage (recorded journeys to/from local rail stations) has increased by a third
between 2006/07 and 20011/12 with 1.8 million passenger journeys recorded at the
six local stations in 2012. The Council hopes to support this trend, via three key
priorities:
•
•
•
Enhancements in rail infrastructure to improve the capacity and frequency of rail
services between Blackburn and the Manchester City Region, which will assist in
sharing in the Borough’s economic growth including attracting higher wage
earners to live in the Borough.
Improvements to the East Lancashire rail service which links the Borough with
Preston/Blackpool in the west and Accrington/Burnley/Colne in the east due to
the quality of the rolling stock and signalling issues.
Improved passenger waiting facilities at a number of smaller stations in the
Borough.
M65
The role of the M65 is a key inter–urban route whose principal function is to link the
main population and employment centres of Preston, Blackburn, Burnley and Colne
with routes of strategic national and regional importance as well as destinations in
other regions. Providing the Borough with a direct link to the regional and national
motorway network south of Preston (M6 and M61), and its efficient functioning is
vital to the Borough’s economic growth ambitions.
Recent studies have shown that the M65 motorway is operating at capacity at peak
times. Analysis has identified that even without predicted growth of traffic on the
M65 the motorway will be at capacity by 2015, with particular strain on the stretch
between Junctions 5 and 6. The build out of employment sites and housing sites in
proximity to the corridor, and upward trends in car ownership and usage, would see
capacity exceeded.
Local Road Network
The East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan includes priority
improvements to the Local Highways Network in Blackburn with Darwen to support
growth and requires investment in the region of £11.3m. These will cover major
schemes identified as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Montague St / Fielden St – orbital route improvements.
Townsmoor Gyratory
Bennington Street Bridge
Darwen Eastern Distributor Route
Fishmoor Link.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Buses
The number of buses observed entering Blackburn town centre has considerably
declined since 2002. One of our key strategic objectives is to ensure that local
people have sustainable access to services and facilities, and therefore this declining
trend in bus patronage is one which we aim to reverse.
Pennine Reach is a new rapid bus transport scheme which is aimed at improving
public transport along the Accrington – Blackburn – Darwen corridors linking in with
the strategic east-west and north-south railway lines.
Through a mix of physical engineering, new technology, high quality buses and
improved routes, timetables and ticket choices, the scheme is designed to make
public transport more attractive and a real alternative to the private car.
Cycling
Since 2001, results from town centre cordon counts in Blackburn and Darwen show a
considerable increase in the numbers of cyclists, reflecting the significant efforts
which have been made in recent years to promote cycling in the Borough as a more
sustainable mode of transport, and the Council needs to continue momentum to
sustain these efforts.
Digital Connectivity
Broadband access is becoming a critical factor in attracting knowledge based
employment in the Borough. The Superfast Lancashire network rollout commenced
detailed planning in January 2013 and Blackburn was one of the first areas to benefit
from the public-private funded investment. So far, around 3,500 extra premises
(that would otherwise have not had access to a superfast broadband service) have
been enabled. This is in addition to the coverage already provided by commercial
operators in the area (including BT/Openreach and Virgin Media). Other areas are
set to benefit before 2015, including Darwen and the more rural communities in the
Borough. The project has delivered coverage to a number of significant business
park sites – for example Shadsworth Industrial Estate (an area with previous poor
broadband speeds) and businesses are encouraged to sign up and use high speed
computing to grow further.
Schools
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is the Local Authority responsible for
primary and secondary school provision in the Borough. The Infrastructure Delivery
Plan (2014) has identified that there will be a need for additional primary school
capacity in Blackburn and Darwen to serve the housing growth areas.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Housing
The quality of our housing “offer” – the range of housing and the attractiveness of
housing environments available in both the existing stock and new development – is
an important factor determining our future prosperity. Attracting and retaining
skilled and qualified people to live in our area will help bring in commercial
investment and jobs growth, as businesses take advantage of a pool of local skilled
labour. It will benefit our town centres and drive up the quality of our public
facilities, as there will be more demand for shops, cultural and leisure facilities, and
good quality schools. It will help manage traffic and congestion, since fewer people
will need to commute into Blackburn with Darwen every day to work.
Our housing market has historically been dominated by relatively small, relatively
low-value stock. This has meant that there is little opportunity for people to “trade
up” within Blackburn with Darwen as they become more affluent, so that many
people, at a certain point in their careers, have moved outside of the area.
The 2014 Strategic Housing Market Assessment has identified an objectively
assessed need for 9,030 new houses in the Borough between 2011 and 2026. Within
this total are a number of key developments which are central to the delivery of our
overall strategy for new housing because they fall into one of the following
categories:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Urban extensions
Major urban sites capable of contributing significantly to our housing objectives
Sites where specific new infrastructure is required as part of a development
Key sites in regeneration areas, particularly former housing clearance sites
Sites on which it is intended to procure housing to meet a specific need,
particularly that for older people
Major previously developed sites outside the urban area, where significant
remediation is required or where a clear policy statement is required as to the
acceptability of residential development.
The Council supports housing growth, as a key component of prosperity for the
following reasons:
•
•
•
•
•
Delivering our housing target will keep people of working age in Blackburn with
Darwen.
New housing brings direct benefits to the local economy.
Stalled housing sites and derelict or underused land impact on our local
economy.
Vacant development sites owned by the Council tie up public resources that
could be used elsewhere.
New housing brings additional resources for local services.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Blackburn with Darwen’s Housing Toolkit (Housing Implementation Strategy) (2014)
sets out how we aim to establish a more balanced market and create a better range
of opportunities for “stair casing”, by releasing strategic sites for new family housing.
We will work proactively with owners and developers of these sites to ensure that
they become places of choice for people to live, and that they contribute to a change
in the image of Blackburn with Darwen’s housing market.
The toolkit sets out a series of measures along with detailed information of how they
will be implemented. The measures include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Allocating viable sites;
Cross-subsidy between viable and non-viable development;
Promoting the reoccupation of empty properties;
Flexibility on developer contributions;
Improving the wider offer;
Using the planning system creatively to stimulate development;
Using the Council’s assets – procuring development;
Using the Council’s assets – de-risking development on Council land;
Using the Council’s assets – assembling sites and investing in infrastructure;
Ensuring the Council is an easy partner to work with in bringing forward
housing development.
Employment Land and Premises
In order to facilitate growth, there is a clear need to ensure that the right range of
sites is available to encourage investment in the sectors we wish to support and
attract. The Borough’s employment land requirements to 2026 have been projected,
and suitable sites identified in the Employment Land Review (2013).
Blackburn with Darwen’s labour and employment markets are not confined to its
Borough boundary. A significant amount of existing and potential employment land
exists at Whitebirk, which overlaps the boundary between Hyndburn and Blackburn
with Darwen. The Whitebirk Strategic Employment Site was designated by the
former Northwest Regional Development Agency as a Strategic Regional Site and
requires a co-ordinated approach to successfully harness this major opportunity.
What we need to do:
• Housing growth and greater housing choice.
• Improve passenger waiting facilities at smaller stations.
• Improve the East Lancashire rail service.
• Improve the capacity and frequency of rail services between Blackburn and the
Manchester City Region.
• Address M65 capacity issues.
• Forecasted increases in congestion to be addressed, and improve movement and
access in/out of the town centres.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reverse the declining trend in bus patronage.
Improve public transport to different areas of the Borough.
Continue efforts to promote cycling as a more sustainable mode of transport.
Continue rollout of superfast broadband, including Darwen and the rural
communities.
Ensure that sites are available for employment development.
Ensure employment opportunities at the Enterprise Zone and Whitebirk Strategic
Site are accessible for Blackburn with Darwen residents.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 3
Investment
Blackburn with Darwen is open for business.
The Borough is home to 4,880 businesses (2011), representing 9% of the Lancashire
business base, and the business start-up rate in the Borough is higher than
Lancashire or any other Pennine Lancashire district, at 11.8% (2011). Blackburn with
Darwen is also distinct in that it has an over-representation of businesses employing
between 10 and 49 employees, and has a greater proportion of higher turnover
businesses (12%) than in the rest of Pennine Lancashire (10%) or Lancashire overall
(9%).
The top three sectors with the largest business numbers within Lancashire’s key
sectors are:
1. Business and professional services
2. Advanced manufacturing
3. Creative, digital, ICT and media.
The Borough has 60,000 workplace-based employees in total, representing 10% of
total employment in Lancashire. Some sectors, such as manufacturing, make an
above average contribution to employment in Lancashire, showing the continued
strength of manufacturing in the Borough and its importance to Lancashire
manufacturing despite the overall sector’s decline in previous decades.
Blackburn with Darwen’s Contribution to Employment in Lancashire by Sector
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
Source: Business Register and Employment Survey
Analysis on salaries shows that workplace based earnings (£390pw) is higher than
resident based earning (£350pw), indicating higher value employment are being
serviced by non-residents.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
In December 2013, self-employment had returned to levels seen in December 2012
7,300 (8.4%) following a period of decline, but remains below the regional and
national average.
Key Issues and Opportunities
Much investment has already taken place, which will see positive effects. These
include the extension to the Mall shopping centre, the Cathedral Quarter
development, the Freckleton Street link road, the new leisure centre in Blackburn,
Darwen Academy and Superfast broadband.
Business Growth
The Ekosgen economic assessment – Understanding the Blackburn with Darwen
Economy (2013) reported the results of a recent business survey which included an
analysis of Recent Growth Indicators. It found that the majority (79%) of businesses
reported having employed additional staff in Blackburn with Darwen over the last 12
months, and 34% had invested in new products or services.
Recent growth indicators
Employed additional staff
Invested in new products/services
which are not yet on the market
Invested in new products/services
which are on the market
Expanded premises on-site
Expanded premises at a new site
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Source: ekosgen Business Survey.
Expectations for future growth amongst local businesses are strong - over the
coming 3-5 years the majority of businesses expect to report growth in their
commercial performance metrics, employment levels and service offer. Where
growth was not expected against each indicator, businesses generally expected
levels to remain the same, rather than decline.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Facilitating Business Growth
The Ekosgen business survey found that businesses which specified that the road
network in Blackburn with Darwen only meets some of their needs accounted for a
third of respondents. Additionally, a significant number (9%) said none of their
business needs were being met by current rail links. Planned improvements in the
local road and rail network set out through the East Lancashire Transport and
Highways Masterplan are therefore expected to be welcomed by businesses.
The provision of Superfast broadband was found to be very important for almost
seven in ten (69%) businesses responding to the Ekosgen survey (2013), suggesting
that businesses will welcome the planned roll out of superfast connections across
Lancashire.
The most commonly cited barriers to growth were found to be competition, access
to finance and market uncertainty; each identified by more than a third of
respondents. Recruitment challenges and skills gaps were also considered to be
significant challenges (reflecting findings reported elsewhere in this document).
When businesses offered suggestions regarding how the Council can help to
facilitate business growth and prosperity, common themes included business rate
reviews, the improvement and regeneration of Blackburn town centre and roads,
and the need for the Council to procure services and goods from local businesses.
What we need to do:
• Support and grow our key sectors including manufacturing, health and
education.
• Develop the parts of our economy that provide the highest levels of innovation
and added value.
• Address the most commonly cited barriers to growth: competition, access to
finance, market uncertainty, recruitment challenges and skills gaps.
• Support and grow businesses
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 4
Innovation and Expertise
Blackburn is in the top ten UK towns and cities for new patents (Source: Centre for
Cities, Cities Outlook 2013). We’re home to world class companies with most
planning further growth. We also have a thriving business leaders group
(www.business-hive.co.uk) willing to play its part in inspiring prosperity.
One of the LEP’s key programmes is a major research and innovation programme
seeking £57.2m in competitive Growth Deal funding to enable Lancaster University
and the University of Central Lancashire to expand and develop national centres of
excellence linked to the delivery of local economic priorities. Part of this programme
is to establish new links with other national centres and globally competitive
business clusters within the arc of prosperity – i.e. the M65 corridor in Blackburn
with Darwen.
Exports are important and offer enormous potential for growth – exporting
companies are more likely to be innovators, employ skilled people and have better
growth prospects. The total value of goods exported by Blackburn with Darwen
businesses in 2011 is estimated at £493m (10% of Lancashire as a whole), with more
recent research (the 2013 business survey) which highlighted exporters to account
for 27% of the borough business sample. This may be an underrepresentation of the
current position within the Borough’s wider business community when data from
2010 showed that approximately 35% of Lancashire’s businesses were involved in
exporting. Exporting from the Borough is expected to increase; over a quarter of
existing exporters expect their international trade activities to increase to up to 40%
of their turnover within the next 5 years; and 19% of businesses expect this figure to
increase to 80% of their turnover, as identified within the 2013 business survey.
Key Issues and Opportunities
Evidence suggests that 54% of Blackburn with Darwen businesses do not have an inhouse Research and Development function and most businesses (58%) are not
intending to expand their R&D capabilities. The recent Ekosgen survey also
suggested that businesses would welcome greater engagement with local colleges or
universities.
What we need to do:
• Excel, innovate and have a clear unique selling point.
• Harness the potential for growth in export business.
• Inspire growth in all areas of the Borough.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 5
Employability
Profile
According to the Centre for Cities - Cities Outlook 2013, Blackburn ranks 61st out of
64 UK towns and cities for average weekly earnings, but reassuringly it was in the top
four for having the largest annual increase in weekly earnings compared to the 2012
figure.
The table below shows the proportion of jobs in the Borough, by standard industrial
sector.
Employment in Blackburn with Darwen, by Sector (2011)
Sector
Percentage
Agriculture, mining, etc
Manufacturing
18.3
Electricity, Gas, Water Supply
0.5
Construction
3.3
Wholesale and Retail, Repair of motor vehicles
15.8
Transport & storage (inc postal)
3.7
Accommodation & food services
3.7
Information & communication
3.9
Financial & insurance
1.6
Property
0.9
Professional, scientific & technical
5.8
Business administration & support services
4.4
Public administration & defence
4.6
Education
10.2
Health
17.6
Arts entertainment
3.9
Other service activities
1.9
Total
100
Source: Business Register and Employment Survey / ABI via NOMIS
Some 18.3% of the employee jobs in the Borough are in the manufacturing sector,
compared to 14.3% in England and Wales, and almost 40% of employees in the
Borough work in highly skilled occupations, the same proportion as Lancashire as a
whole, but higher than the Pennine Lancashire figure of 37%.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Qualifications
Blackburn with Darwen’s population is less highly qualified than Lancashire as a
whole. In Blackburn with Darwen, 9% of the economically active population have no
formal qualifications, a figure 1.5 times that in Lancashire, and the proportion with
an NVQ 4 or higher qualification is seven percentage points below the Lancashire
average. Blackburn with Darwen has a slightly larger proportion of those with a
Trade Apprenticeship (6%) compared to Lancashire (5%). We also have an enviable
education offer – schools, colleges and Training 2000.
Blackburn with Darwen’s skills profile (highest qualifications held by economically active)
7.0%
8.8%
12.1%
27.9%
20.2%
17.8%
No qualifications
NVQ 2
NVQ 3
Other qualifications
6.3%
NVQ 1
Trade Apprenticeship
NVQ 4+
Source: Annual Population Survey
GCSE Attainment
Blackburn with Darwen is ranked 13th/23 Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in the
North West in terms of GCSE attainment levels. In 2012-13, 59.5% of pupils in
Blackburn with Darwen, attained 5 A*-C including English and Mathematics at GCSE.
This was 2.5% higher than that recorded in the previous year and 21% higher than
that recorded in 2006. In comparison, BwD is almost 2% below the Lancashire LEA of
61.2%.
Apprenticeships
1,926 residents are apprentices; of these 393 are aged 16 – 18. There’s been a
decrease in 16 – 18 starts; same as the regional and national picture. Out of
the 1,974 pupils in Year 11 2014 179 want an apprenticeship.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Key Issues and Opportunities
Skills Gaps
A business survey was carried out by Ekosgen in 2013. Commonly cited issues were
skills gaps and recruitment challenges, and access to finance and funding.
Businesses in ICT, professional, financial and business services accounted for 56% of
businesses with skills gaps. Where skills gaps were identified, they were most
commonly in job related or technical skills (74%), followed by 26% in both leadership
and management skills; and marketing skills.
Recruitment Difficulties
Qualifications profile of unfilled vacancies
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
No qualifications
NVQ 1-2
NVQ 3-4
NVQ 5
Source: ekosgen Business Survey. N=33
The challenges businesses faced in recruitment were largely due to an inability to
find appropriately or highly skilled staff; at times, this was due to the specialised skill
set required for the job, while others referenced a lack of basic education and skills
or the difficulty in attracting skilled candidates from major cities.
Investment in Skills
The vast majority of businesses surveyed had provided some form of training over
the last year, with only 11% not having provided any. Training had most commonly
been provided in-house, although significant numbers have provided external
training. Almost three fifths (59%) of businesses would welcome greater
engagement with local schools, colleges or universities.
Disadvantaged groups
Employment rates vary among different groups of the population, affected by
factors such as age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, disability status and level of
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
qualification. Some groups face particular barriers to entering, remaining in and
progressing within employment. Most recently the focus has been on reducing youth
unemployment. In addition to this cohort, the Borough’s Employment Task Group
has identified some further groups in need of support; care leavers and older people.
Since 2012, schools have been responsible for providing careers advice. Ofsted found
that three quarters of schools were not delivering adequate careers advice and are
not implementing their duty to provide impartial careers advice effectively.
What we need to do:
• Close the identified skills gaps, especially in the key categories: job specific,
technical, leadership and management.
• Address the challenges to recruitment, in the key sectors: ICT, finance, business
and professional.
• Break the generational cycle of unemployment / low pay.
• Create more opportunities for young people to stay in the Borough and progress
in their work.
• Link businesses with colleges and schools, ensuring that teachers understand
industry and local opportunities.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 6
Quality of Life
If the Borough’s economic growth objectives are to be realised, the aspirations for
improved housing and higher value employment opportunities for the growing
population must be complemented by an improved quality of life with a high quality
retail offer.
Improvements are targeted in the Borough’s ‘Quality of Life’ offer, in terms of:
•
•
•
•
•
Town Centres
Culture, Leisure, Sport and Young People
Environment
Health and Work
Community and Volunteering.
Town Centres
Blackburn and Darwen’s town centres have seen some significant new development
in recent years with more committed in current plans; there is a need to maintain
this momentum and widen further the range of activities taking place in the town
centres. Focusing a significant proportion of new development into these areas will
help maximise the contribution they make to quality of life and wealth generation in
the Borough.
The Council aims to build on the impetus which has been created by recent
regeneration and development initiatives in both town centres (such as the Mall
extension in Blackburn and the Townscape Heritage Initiative in Darwen), to broaden
their appeal, increase their attractiveness and manage their future in the face of
strong competition.
The priorities for Blackburn town centre, which are set out in the Blackburn Town
Centre Strategy are grouped into six main themes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Blackburn during the day
Blackburn during the evening
Movement and transport
Culture and life
Knowledge and employment
Sustainability.
The Darwen Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan (2013-2018) sets out the recent
major achievements which have taken place over the past 8 years and confirms that
Darwen town centre’s economy is relatively healthy, it’s community is thriving and
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
there is a real sense of optimism for the future. Research and consultation has taken
place for the strategy, resulting in the emergence of six priorities for Darwen:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Market Town Identity
Quality of Place
Retail
Employment
Culture
Green and Sustainable.
The Borough’s town centres face competition from out of town shopping and
competing nearby town centres, therefore there is a need to improve the quality and
the range of shops and attractions, particularly quality leisure and family friendly
attractions which are key markets for the success of the town.
Projects identified in the 2010 Blackburn Town Centre Strategy included:
Commenced
• Cathedral Quarter - new offices, new homes, open space, a
transport interchange and a hotel, leisure and parking facilities
• Blackburn College: the expansion of the Blackburn College town Commenced
centre campus
Completed
• The Mall: the £66 million refurbishment and extension
•
•
•
Orbital route: progressing the establishment of a new orbital
route around the centre of Blackburn
Pennine Reach: to deliver a new rapid bus system
Commenced
New health centre: a new improved health centre is planned to
be provided at Alma Street.
Completed
Recent achievements in Darwen town centre include:
• Darwen Aldridge Community Academy
• Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area expansion
• Townscape Heritage Initiative
• Darwen Market Square Improvements
• Darwen Leisure Centre
Commenced
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
A series of new objectives have been identified in the Town Centre Strategies and in
the recent 12-point plan for Revitalising Blackburn Town Centre (September 2013)
to build on these achievements and to further increase the attractiveness of both
town centres.
Key issues to be addressed going forward from these accomplishments are:
Secure new retailing in the town centres
Improve links between the leisure and retail parks to the south of Blackburn town
centre and the centre of town
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Improve the range of leisure and evening activities in the town centre, particularly
through creating clusters of uses
Secure new employment and training opportunities
Promote the Knowledge Zone concept, the expansion of Blackburn College and
improved learning opportunities
Improve pedestrian linkages throughout the town centre and to surrounding
communities
Promote existing assets
Secure the re-use and refurbishment of buildings of heritage value
Improve public transport provision and priority
Make better use of the existing road network
Improve access to and quality of car parking
Maximise potential benefits of the Cathedral Quarter and Blackburn College
Create a centre for community cohesion and interaction
Realise the potential of the Cathedral and its immediate environment
Attract local population to use the town centres and increase local spending
Culture, Leisure, Sport and Young People
There is a wide range of high quality leisure, cultural, art and sporting activities
taking place across the Borough, and the Council is committed to the development
of these services. The Blackburn with Darwen Cultural Strategy (2006 and 2008
refresh) highlights the integration of culture into many strategies and work
programmes across the Council, and aims to embed culture at the heart of the
community.
In addition, the following strategies are in place:
• Open Space Strategy
• Play Policy and Strategy
• Children and Young People’s Plan.
Health and Environment
The Borough has a population of 147,700, with a young age profile (29% of residents
aged 0-19 compared with 24% nationally). Projections suggest that the population
could reach 159,000 by 2035, with the proportion of people aged 65+ increasing
from 13% to 17%, and the number of very elderly residents (85+) almost doubling.
The Borough has seen an upturn in life expectancy, which the Council’s Health and
Wellbeing Strategy aims to strengthen by identifying the most significant underlying
factors that will impact on current and future health and health inequalities.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Health and Work
Everyone needs the best chance of getting and keeping good employment by
improving wellbeing in the workplace and supporting those out of work into
employment. The Council is beginning to improve workplace health in two ways –
leading by example in their own role as an employer and also as a system influencer
by encouraging and helping other employers and businesses to improve the health
of their employees.
The priority areas for Council support in terms of Health are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Best start for children and young people
Health at work
Safe and healthy homes and neighbourhoods
Promoting health and supporting people when they are unwell
Promoting older people’s independence and social inclusion.
Closely linked to these priorities are the achievement of an improved environment
(air quality, open space and heritage); culture and leisure (sport, recreation, events,
cultural offer, young people’s offer); public transport (bus and rail service); and
fairness (supporting disadvantaged communities and groups).
Community and Volunteering
The Blackburn with Darwen Corporate Plan includes an objective to Work with
residents and communities to ensure they continue to contribute to their area
through volunteering and community and voluntary activities, as reflected with
volunteering levels within the borough being consistently higher than the national
average.
Becoming a volunteer can be personally rewarding and helps people to contribute
towards the health of their community. There are a range of voluntary, community
and faith groups across the Borough offering volunteering opportunities, which is
strongly supported.
What we need to do:
• Improve the Town Centres offer – retail, culture and evening economy.
• Enable the town centres to grow, improve access to car parks for visitors and
shoppers and promote pedestrian, cycling and public transport priority.
• Widen choice in relation to leisure and evening activity and entertainment.
• Maximise the attraction and availability of key assets.
• Attract large retailers and provide support packages and incentives for small
independent retailers and creative businesses.
• Ensure residents are given opportunities to engage in activities which promote
the five ways to wellbeing.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 7
Image and Marketing
During compilation of the Development Market Study (2012), a search was carried
out of the major mainstream media outlets, focusing on Blackburn with Darwen,
Pennine Lancashire, Lancashire or nearby areas – e.g. Lancashire Telegraph and
Evening Post; Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo; BBC Lancashire; the
property and development media (Estates Gazette, Property Week, Regeneration &
Renewal, Planning, Architecture Journal); and key websites (e.g.
thisislancashire.com). The search flagged up a number of stories or entities that
dominated both the media output regarding the area, several of them relatively
negative but with emerging sources of positivity.
Many of the most positive news stories regarding Blackburn have been focused on
developments or proposals in the town centre, which has given rise to a sense that,
whilst slowed by the adverse economic conditions of recent years, there remains a
coherent and dedicated effort to enhance the town’s retail and leisure offer.
Property media (e.g. Property Week’s Lancashire focus edition) have remained
optimistic about the Cathedral Quarter; and comment the recent £66million
investment in the Mall has strengthened the wider town centre offer.
For many people outside of Blackburn with Darwen the presence of a former
Premier League football team is one of their first images of the town when asked for
their views on its offer. The club’s exploits dominate many elements of media
coverage regarding the Borough. Matches are important sources of income for local
food and drink businesses, and attract visitors to the town who might not otherwise
visit. The ground facilities incorporate areas for corporate hospitality and events
that are useful to the local business community, and the club seeks to support
initiatives that help new small businesses including the Rovers Enterprise Centre,
which offers modern, affordable office space and meeting rooms at a prestigious and
easy-to-find address. Undoubtedly the club is a huge asset to the town and unlike,
for example, neighbouring Bolton Wanderers, remains intrinsically and vitally linked
into the urban area.
The future success of the economy is dependent on a more positive image being
projected and as such a ‘repositioning’ is required.
One of the key drivers for the Borough has to be to make the location attractive
again and to attract new and retain expanding businesses through developing land,
improving the quality of the labour market and making the borough a better place to
live.
What we need to do:
• Market the Borough.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 8
Funding
As part of the government’s drive to devolve power and resources, the Lancashire
Enterprise Partnership (LEP), including Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, is
set to receive an allocation of the Treasury’s single local growth fund (funded at £2
billion per year from April 2015) for delivery of the ‘Arc of Prosperity’ – the county’s
new strategic economic plan, setting out the area’s growth ambitions for the next 10
years. Alongside substantial investment through the new European Structural
Investment Fund, Lancashire aims to realise its potential as ‘…a destination of choice
for new investors and growth businesses’.
The Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), sets out the Lancashire Enterprise
Partnership’s growth ambitions for 2014-2024. It provides a framework for the
Growth Deal with Government and directs resources within the agreed European
Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) strategy. The SEP identifies Growth Deal funding
for a series of infrastructure projects within the Borough, which are detailed within
the Funding Action Plan at Appendix A.
The SEP aims to direct funds towards improving the capability and capacity of the
Lancashire economy to seize new market opportunities and to overcome barriers
that constrain growth. It also intends to strengthen Lancashire’s position as one of
the UK’s leading export centres and to realise the county’s potential as a destination
for new investors.
For East Lancashire, the SEP describes three key funding themes:
•
•
•
Continue to strengthen the arc of prosperity of high value industries.
Build upon the skills and expertise of indigenous capabilities.
Resolve connectivity issues to unlock economic and housing opportunities.
In addition, the Government’s proposed Assisted Area coverage (which aims to
ensure that growth is more evenly distributed across the Country) will benefit the
Borough’s SME base and manufacturing supply chain, enabling existing businesses to
invest and grow, as well as attracting new high growth businesses.
Alongside funding, it is equally important for the public sector to work
collaboratively to deliver innovative solutions to support developments which may
be more difficult to deliver. This is the key role of the Borough’s Local Strategic
Partnership - working jointly to present a united voice for funding and powers and
championing wealth creators, welcoming new ideas and creating ambassadors for
change – together with the Hive business leaders group.
To continue to be effective in supporting local businesses, it is recognised that we
need to know more and we need to build our evidence base. This has commenced
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
with the recent Ekosgen Business Survey and Report 2013, and is to be taken
forward.
What we need to do:
• Utilise the Local Growth Fund to contribute towards key infrastructure.
• Ensure the delivery of key projects by harnessing remaining required funds from
private / other public sector sources.
• Harness and maximise funding opportunities for the Borough.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Chapter 9
Governance and Delivery
The Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) Board provides the forum for collectively
monitoring, reviewing and steering resources through identifying local priorities.
The LSP Board, which is a multi-agency group representing the Borough’s diverse
public, private and third sector, is made up of representatives from the 5 key
strategic partnership boards:
•
•
•
•
•
Local Public Services Board
Community Safety Partnership
Health and Wellbeing Board
Voluntary Community Sector Voice
Prosperous Group
These sectors are working together, using their expertise to improve the Borough.
The relationship between the parties is based on trust, with everybody recognising
the value of working together with an agreed shared agenda. The LSP Board
provides the forum for collectively reviewing and steering resources through
identifying local priorities. Its main aim is to contribute to the delivery of improved
quality of life for the people of Blackburn with Darwen, especially within deprived
communities in the borough.
The Board will review the Action Plans annually with a half yearly progress monitor
and involve the LSP strategic partnership boards as appropriate. The structure and
key themes of the LSP Board are illustrated in the Governance and Delivery Section
below.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Governance and Delivery
LSP BOARD
33
Plan for Prosperity 2014
PROSPEROUS GROUP
The Prosperous Group is a private-sector led forum consisting of influential
businesses from Blackburn and Darwen.
Vision
“We see prosperous areas where residents aspire to achieve their dreams for
education, learning and employment, with thriving businesses creating innovative
products for local and world markets.”
Strategically, the group forms part of the Borough’s Local Strategic Partnership. The
Group’s purpose is to maximise prosperity across the Borough and takes a lead role
in supporting the delivery of the area’s economic ambitions.
Early priorities for the group have included:
•
Raising the profile and prospects of businesses within the Borough
•
Tackling unemployment and promoting apprenticeships
•
Unpicking public sector procurement and increasing local inter-trading
•
International trade
The Group are the founding members of the Hive business leaders’ network, which
has continuously grown since its launch in September 2012, with close to 200 local
organisations now signed-up. In contrast to other public-private partnerships, Hive
lets businesses decide what the priorities are and how to respond, whilst maintaining
the need to work with the Council and the borough’s other key stakeholders. It is
underpinned by the aim of making Blackburn with Darwen a more prosperous area,
and shares a quite different approach in that members are actively encouraged to
consider what they can ‘put in’ rather than what they can ‘take out’ in supporting
delivery of the network’s aim. This creates increased levels of ownership amongst
Hive’s members, and is also helping to encourage others to play a lead role in the
future of the network and that of the borough.
Initiatives being taken forward through the Hive network and its membership
comprise ‘Hive Finance’ (facilitating access to finance), ‘Hive Manufacturing
Excellence’ (sharing expertise and solving business issues together), ‘Young Hive’
(making education and training/work seamless) and Creative Hive (support for the
borough’s creative industries).
Further information regarding Hive and its founding members from the Prosperous
Group can be accessed via www.business-hive.co.uk.
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
APPENDIX A
Action Plans
35
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
1
Housing
Development
Housing growth and
greater housing choice.
The majority of new
development will be in the
urban areas, with
complementary
development elsewhere in
the borough.
The Local Plan Part 2 – Site Allocations and Development
Management Policies document reached publication stage in
January 2014. In line with the Targeted Growth Strategy, the Plan
identifies land that has the potential to be developed up to 2026 and
sets out the policies against which planning applications will be
assessed.
The Plan is to be submitted to the Government during mid-2014 and
adopted by early 2015.
Council
Early 2015
2
Rail
Connectivity
Improve passenger waiting
facilities at smaller
stations.
Improvements at Darwen Station completed in 2012, and at
Blackburn Station are continuing.
In 2013 Mill Hill station benefited from a £35k investment package
which enhanced the waiting environment. This investment
complemented the installation of community art organised by the
local community rail partnership and the introduction of CCTV
funded through the Council’s LTP3. A similar investment package is
currently being taken forward for Cherry Tree station due to a
combination of Local Sustainable Transport Funding and LTP3.
Council
End 2014
Rail Connectivity Study commissioned by Lancashire County Council
is underway. There is a focus on enhancing connectivity between
East Lancashire and Central Lancashire, Manchester (including
Manchester Airport) and Leeds. The study will look at how the
existing network and the services that run on it can be improved and
whether potential exists for it to be expanded. An initial Output
Lancashire
County
Council
End 2014
Improve the East
Lancashire rail service.
Improve the capacity and
frequency of rail services
between Blackburn and
the Manchester City
Region.
Statement will be available in the Autumn. In the interim, an
36
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Transport for Lancashire and Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan
delivering Clitheroe to Manchester Rail Corridor Improvements,
providing a half-hourly service to Manchester.
Network Rail
2015/16
The Highways Agency has obtained Pinch Point 2 funding to enhance
capacity at junction 4 of the M65. This scheme involves the full
signalisation of the junction at Earcroft, which will ensure that traffic
can exit the M65 without excessive queuing.
Highways
Agency
2014-2015
The LEP in conjunction with Lancashire County Council and
Blackburn with Darwen Council is commissioning a study to
investigate what might be necessary in terms of works to improve
capacity, reliability and safety between M65 Junctions 2 and 6. The
study will also consider the parallel A6119/A677 route to the north
of Blackburn.
LEP
2014
(Transport for
Lancashire)
and Highways
Agency
Funding requirements for schools is set out in the draft Local Plan
Part 2 and Infrastructure Delivery Plan; requiring developers of
relevant housing development to contribute towards the necessary
school developments. This funding for schools is to be negotiated
via planning obligations during assessment of relevant housing
applications.
Council
agreement between Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
and Network Rail has been signed to improve rail services
between Blackburn and Manchester. Subject to funding, the
construction of two miles of new railway at Darwen could start
in Summer 2015 with the first additional services running on
the line in December 2016.
3
4
M65
Schools
Capacity issues to be
addressed.
Housing delivery will lead
to a requirement for
additional primary schools.
Alongside
housing
developments
37
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
5
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Local Road
Network
Forecasted increases in
congestion to be
addressed, and improve
movement and access
in/out of the town
centres.
The Blackburn with Darwen Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) was
adopted in 2010 for the period 2011 to 2021. LTP3 sets out the
vision and objectives for future transport in the Borough and
provides the investment for principal and non-principal road
maintenance, street lighting, bridge and structures maintenance,
highway improvements, corridor and congestion flow measures,
road safety and development of sustainable transport options. The
current settlement from Central Government runs until 2015.
Alongside this, the Council is also reviewing its town centre
movement strategy regarding changes which need to be made for
pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Council
To 2021
The East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan (2014) has Lancashire
included in its priorities improvements to the local highways network County
in Blackburn with Darwen to support growth, requiring investment in Council
the region of £11.3m. These will cover major schemes identified in
the Local Highways Study (2013) and the Lancashire Strategic
Economic Plan, including the Darwen East Distributor Road, the
Fishmoor Link Road and completion of the Blackburn Town Centre
Orbital Route.
2014-2021
Haslingden Road scheme to widen the road and transform the miniroundabouts into signalised junctions. Safety measures for
pedestrians and cyclists are also to be improved.
Council
2014-2015
Samlesbury/Cuerden/Whitebirk Growth Triangle Study to be
completed, which will include the main routes between these three
key economic growth locations. The Growth Triangle study will
Lancashire
County
Council
2014-2021
38
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
focus on those junctions on the M65 and on the A6119/A677 that
may need to be improved and on other highway works that may be
needed to ensure the capacity, reliability and safety of the network
in the area.
6
Buses
Reverse the declining
trend in bus patronage.
Improve public transport
to different areas of the
Borough.
Completion of the Freckleton Street Link Road is a key priority
Council
included in the Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan. It will see an
important part of the Blackburn town centre orbital route delivered.
Construction of the Freckleton Street link has commenced and is due
for completion by March 2015; involving £11m of investment.
2014-2015
The level of congestion resulting from growth is not expected to be
fully mitigated by the committed improvement schemes currently
proposed. As such, additional mitigation measures are identified in
the Infrastructure Delivery Plan which are required to support the
planned growth in Blackburn with Darwen to 2026.
Council
2014-2026
The Pennine Reach rapid bus transit project has been developed by
the Council in partnership with Lancashire County Council. Pennine
Reach aims to improve public transport along the Accrington –
Blackburn – Darwen corridors linking in with the strategic east-west
and north-south railway lines. Delivery of the £39.9m investment
package (DfT £31.9m, BwD £5.1m, LCC £2.9m) has begun.
Council
2014-2017
Construction of Blackburn’s new bus station, which will be fully
covered, have 14 stands and will also feature the latest technology
to allow users to easily find their destination. It will also be staffed
from the first to the last bus so there will always be someone there
to provide help and assistance.
Council
2014-2015
39
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
7
Cycling
Continue efforts to
promote cycling as a more
sustainable mode of
transport.
A wide range of cycling infrastructure projects have been identified
for the Borough; the promotion of cycle to work schemes,
comprehensive infrastructure improvements and press and publicity
generated through events such as bike week, the local sky ride
(delivered in partnership with British Cycling) and a programme of
led rides with bike hire which is run from Witton Country Park in
Blackburn. The Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan allocates
funding for the creation of an East Lancashire Strategic Cycle
Network.
Council
2014
8
Digital
Connectivity
Continue rollout of
superfast broadband,
including Darwen and the
rural communities.
Superfast Lancashire is a project to bring fibre broadband to 97% of
homes and businesses in the county by the end of 2015. It will
create around 2,500 jobs and protect more than 1,200 jobs over the
next few years. The county’s enterprise zones are a key priority as
fibre broadband will help local businesses to become more
competitive. The project will also be of significant benefit to those
Lancashire premises which currently receive downstream speeds of
less than 2Mbps. Ofcom believe that around 15 per cent of
premises in Lancashire currently receive less than 2Mbps but that
percentage will plummet to virtually zero as the project will ensure
they benefit from faster speeds. The project is being funded by the
European Regional Development Fund, BT, BDUK, and local councils:
Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. Blackburn was
one of the first areas to benefit from the Superfast Lancashire
rollout. So far, around 3,500 extra premises (that would otherwise
have not had access to a superfast broadband service) have been
enabled. The rollout is continuing across Darwen and the more rural
Superfast
Lancashire
End of 2015
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Plan for Prosperity 2014
Infrastructure and Housing Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Council
Early 2015
communities in the Borough.
9
Major
Employment
Sites
Ensure that sites are
available for employment
development.
Invest in infrastructure, improving the ability of small companies to
compete; create and access sites for employment. Identify and
allocate key sites in the Local Plan Part 2, including Furthergate,
Freckleton Street Area and Waterside Business Park which are
highlighted in the Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan.
Ensure employment
opportunities presented
at the Enterprise Zone and
the Whitebirk Strategic
Site are accessible for
Blackburn with Darwen
residents.
Work with neighbouring local authorities, the County Council and LEP and
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to assist in the successful delivery Hyndburn
of the Enterprise Zone and the Whitebirk Strategic Employment Council
Site.
2014-2020
41
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Investment Action Plan
1
2
3
Subject
Issue / Objective
Action / Solution
Lead
Business
Growth
Support and grow our key
sectors including
manufacturing, health and
education.
Ensure that the right opportunities exist for entrepreneurs to
start their own businesses and that small businesses are aware of
opportunities for support.
Council/Regenerate On-going
Pennine Lancashire
Support the growth of export trade.
LEP
On-going
Develop the parts of our
economy that provide the
highest levels of innovation
and added value.
Increase opportunities for local businesses to trade and invest
locally and tender for public sector contracts; thereby bringing
revenue and employment into the Borough.
Council
On-going
Maximise shale gas opportunities for local suppliers and
residents.
Council
On-going
Address the most
commonly cited barriers to
growth: competition,
access to finance, market
uncertainty, recruitment
challenges and skills gaps.
Identify the successes of past investments and build on them.
Council
On-going
Set up a one-stop support contact to provide assistance with
finding premises and investment.
Council
2014
Ensure that opportunities for business growth and expansion are
present within the Borough.
Council
On-going
Support and grow
businesses.
Access to grant and loan from Government, ESiF and LEP.
Council and LEP
On-going
Construct new finance models for business growth.
Council and Hive
On-going
Removing
Barriers to
Growth
Access to
finance
Timetable
42
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Innovation and Expertise Action Plan
1
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Overcoming
Barriers to
Growth
More businesses = more
competition, so the
challenge is to excel,
innovate and have a clear
unique selling point.
Create a Centre for Excellence and Innovation, focussing on
education and manufacturing with collaborative research hubs.
Council
On-going
Assist businesses in “going digital”.
Superfast
Lancashire
To 2015
Aim to be a University Town.
Blackburn
College
On-going
Council
On-going
Council
On-going
Harness the potential for
growth in export business.
Consider the expansion of existing Mentoring Programmes to offer
further support for SMEs; with Human Resource capacity, training
Inspire growth in all areas of advice and exporting assistance. Help smaller organisations to pool
the Borough.
skills. Provide accessible advice for businesses.
Work with Higher Education Institutions to develop and promote
common research and development; and development of new
products and processes linked to the needs of industry.
43
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Employability Action Plan
1
2
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Skills Gaps
Close the identified skills
gaps, especially in the key
categories: job specific,
technical, leadership and
management.
Harness the Borough’s high quality educational offer and change
perceptions of working in the Borough. Improve links between the
Colleges and business.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Pennine Lancashire Employment and Skills Board (PLESB) continue
working towards:
• Employers being more able to influence curriculum offer;
• Helping employers articulate their skill needs, especially SMEs;
• Prioritisation of sectors which are key to growth.
PLESB
On-going
Encourage employers to invest in training and apprenticeships and
create graduate opportunities – highlight the benefits. Streamline
the apprenticeship system for SMEs.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Support businesses in creating progression plans and wider benefits
such as cycle-to-work schemes, employee loans and healthcare
schemes.
Council
On-going
Promote tri-annual HR Forums for local HR managers to get involved
in local initiatives.
Community
and Business
Partners
March, July
and October
Hold regular job fairs for targeted groups and set up a town centre
drop-in where businesses can advertise jobs and back these services
up with a website.
BwD
Employment
Task Group
On-going
Encourage employers to support and value those with life skills and
not only academic qualifications.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Getting
People into
Work
Address the challenges to
recruitment, in the key
sectors: ICT, finance,
business and professional.
44
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Employability Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Council, JCP
and Bootstrap
Enterprises
On-going
Increase 50+ employment by offering pre-employment, work
placements and in work support for those with long term health
issues.
Employment
Task Group
July 2014
Create a brand new responsive brokerage service for Hive members,
companies in receipt of grants and contracts through public sector
procurement.
Employment
Task Group
Sept 2014
Ensure that young people know that they can succeed in the
Borough. Raise the profile of opportunities and success stories to
provide motivation.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Close the gap between businesses and young people – set up youth
trips to businesses and a summer school to engage young people
with a wide selection of local businesses including the Council.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Encourage businesses to create more part-time and holiday jobs
with long-term prospects, and sponsor students; effectively
preparing young people for work while they are still studying.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Utilise existing networks where businesses can offer volunteering
and work experience positions which are available to NEETS.
LSP
On-going
Provide support for young people about opportunities for setting up
a business, alongside the Prince’s Trust and Regenerate Pennine
Lancashire.
Bootstrap
Enterprises
and Blackburn
College
2014
Break the generational cycle Continue to make referrals through Troubled Families key workers
of unemployment / low pay. to employment support services.
3
Opportunities Create more opportunities
for Young
for young people to stay in
People
the Borough and progress in
their work.
45
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Employability Action Plan
Subject
4
Education
Issue / Objective
Link businesses with
colleges and schools,
ensuring that teachers
understand industry and
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Maintain existing provision: Connexions commission, Youth
Contract, ESF NEET, 16-19jobs.co.uk, Team Programme/Get into/Get
Started, jobsearch.direct.gov.uk, Work Programme/Families
Prog/Work Choice, New Boundaries/Furniture recycling store, Study
Programme/Skills for Work, National Careers Service/Work
Clubs/Adult Learning/Troubled Families/Big Local –
Shadsworth/Whitebirk.
Employment
Task Group
On-going
Help on the High Street - Council empty shop, 16 – 24 vacancy
matching service, staffed by partners – to reduce the number of 1618 NEETS and 18-24 JSA claimants.
Employment
Task Group
Oct 2014
Look after them - targeted employment support for care leavers to
include Intermediate Labour Market pilot project with the Council’s
Environment Department.
Employment
Task Group
Nov 2014
Increase Apprenticeship opportunities by creating an
Apprenticeship Hub on the Council website with a portal linking to
NAS / 16-19 jobs / direct.gov.uk and providers; and launching
traineeships.
Employment
Task Group
Aug 2014
Produce easy-to-understand sectoral local labour market
information in collaboration with partners. Include a series of a day
in the life of stories.
Employment
Task Group
Oct 2014
Increase the number Higher Apprenticeships for A-level highachievers and encourage businesses to create more opportunities.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Create an Internship scheme.
Council and
Blackburn
On-going
46
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Employability Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
local opportunities.
Lead
Timetable
College
Get businesses involved in workplace “boot camps” and bridging or
buddying schemes between schools and employers.
Business in the
Community
(BiTC)
On-going
Get business mentors and ambassadors from the LSP/Hive into
primary schools, secondary schools and colleges; raising awareness
among teachers and students of what businesses are in the Borough
and the jobs available. Encourage more regular work experience
placements and build it into the curriculum.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Encourage the learning of more languages in schools, to aid with a
key business growth area: export.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
47
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Quality of Life Action Plan
Subject
1
Issue / Objective
Increase the
Improve the Town Centres
attractiveness offer – retail, culture and
of Blackburn evening economy.
and Darwen
Enable the town centres to
grow, improve access to car
parks for visitors and
shoppers and promote
pedestrian, cycling and
public transport priority.
Widen choice in relation to
leisure and evening activity
and entertainment.
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Celebrate our multi-cultural qualities.
Council/LSP
On-going
Complete the Cathedral Quarter regeneration scheme, providing
restaurants and a hotel.
Council
2015
Open Blakeys on Friday and Saturday nights and at least 12 functions
to be held in King Georges Hall each year.
Council
From 2014
Offer a business rate incentive to town centre licensees who join a
night-time economy working group and commit to staging live acts
alongside KGH and Blakeys on a frequent basis.
Council
From 2014
Establish Friday Night Live as a regular feature for the town centre;
Council and the BID working with licensees to effectively market
these nights.
Council and
Blackburn BID
From 2014
Complete a new leisure centre in Blackburn town centre.
Council and
Blackburn
College
2015
Retain free Saturday parking on Council car parks, and ‘Free After
Three’ parking from Monday-Friday on all Council car parks. Initiate
a fundamental review of the town centre movement strategy to
improve and simplify pedestrian and vehicle access.
Council
On-going
Market and promote Blackburn as East Lancashire’s centre for
retail, leisure and business.
Blackburn BID
From 2014
Deliver more housing choice through the Local Plan Part 2, lengthen
the opening hours of the town centre and create a café culture.
Council
On-going
48
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Quality of Life Action Plan
2
3
4
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Increase use
of the
Borough’s
existing
assets
Maximise the attraction
and availability of key
assets.
Architecture students from Sheffield Hallam University
commissioned to explore the potential relationship between the
Blackburn Museum and a Fab Lab (new creative technology centre).
Council
2014
Open the Blackburn museum at least 6 days per week and library 7
days per week. Undertake a fundamental review of the operation of
the museum to drive a significant increase in the number of visitors.
Council
From 2014
Increase the number of ‘big name’ bookings at KGH by 10 p/a.
Council
From 2014
Bid for a Northgate Townscape Heritage Initiative, celebrate our
heritage and take advantage of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Council
2014
Develop strategies for key town centre buildings including, Cotton
Exchange, Blakey Moor and Old Police Station; work with owners
to bring them back into use through a combination of practical
support and / or use of statutory enforcement powers.
Council
On-going
Secure new
retailing in
the town
centres
Attract large retailers and
provide support packages
and incentives for small
independent retailers and
creative businesses.
Maximise the development opportunities at the former Markets
site and Cathedral Quarter, securing quality retailers.
Council
2014-2015
Continue the Empty Property business rate incentive scheme.
Council
On-going
Support Blackburn BID to deliver their four key objectives
• To market and promote Blackburn as a vibrant town centre
• To create a sustainable, cleaner and more attractive
environment
• To create a safer, more secure Blackburn town centre
• To attract and support businesses
Blackburn BID
On-going
Attract
residents to
The town centre is the
‘shop window’ of the
Ring-fence budgets to protect town centre care-taking, cleansing
and grounds maintenance. Provide high quality planting throughout
Council
On-going
49
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Quality of Life Action Plan
5
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
the town
centres and
increase
spending.
borough. The Council is
judged on the quality and
effectiveness of services
which are visible to all.
the year and establish maintenance budget for public realm.
Create signed and clean routes into the Town Centres.
Council
2014-2015
Improve
residents’
health
Ensure residents are given
opportunities to engage in
activities which promote
the five ways to wellbeing
Create opportunities for residents to Connect with others, Be
Active, Give through volunteering or community activity, Keep
learning and Take notice as detailed in the Council’s Health
and Wellbeing Strategy.
Council and
partners
2012-2015
50
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Quality of Life Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Action / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Build on our Arte et Labore motto; create a positive image, brand
and logo.
Council/LSP
On-going
Improve the Borough’s local and national perception - identify and
sell the Borough’s world class strengths – paper, wall coverings,
manufacturing, precision engineering.
Council/LSP
On-going
Invest in place marketing and boost perceptions of investment in the Council/LSP
Borough.
On-going
Use the Mayor to promote the Borough.
messages at gateways to the towns.
Display promotional Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
Identify and market our uniqueness in terms of offer and brands e.g. Council/LSP
Blackburn Rovers, KGH, the market, Reidys and Walsh’s Sarsparilla
and Hive
are Blackburn brands. Use all forms of media, with business backing,
including television, a free newsletter and social media.
On-going
Create a joint marketing fund and a marketing hub so businesses, Council/LSP
schools and the hospital can contribute to clear promotion and
celebration of the Borough as a good place to live and work.
On-going
Develop a full place promotion strategy, working with key
On-going
Image and Marketing Action Plan
Subject
1
Issue / Objective
Increase the
Market the Borough.
attractiveness
and improve
the image of
Blackburn and
Darwen
Council/LSP
51
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Quality of Life Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
influencers to spread consistent positive key messages about the
town’s image in national and niche media.
and Hive
Use our successful diaspora to sell the town regionally and
nationally and to instil pride in local people.
Council/LSP
On-going
Aggressively promote all town centre developments via promotional
hoardings and social media.
Council
On-going
52
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Funding Action Plan
Subject
Issue / Objective
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
1
Overcoming
barriers to
growth
Funding for business
growth.
Raise awareness of the financial support that is available for
businesses in the Borough.
Council/LSP
and Hive
On-going
2
Deliver the
Growth Deal
projects as
identified in
the
Lancashire
Strategic
Economic
Plan
Utilise the Local Growth
Fund to contribute towards
key infrastructure.
Blackburn to Bolton Rail Capacity Improvements (£3.4m).
Network Rail
2015/2016
M65 Gateway Improvements Junctions 2 to 6 (£TBC).
LEP
2014
Blackburn Town Centre Orbital Route Completion (£9m).
Council
2014-2021
Blackburn Town Centre Improvements (£0.2m).
Council
2015
Darwen East Distributor Route (£2.5m).
Council
2015-2019
East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network (£2.6m).
Lancashire
County
Council
2014-2021
Fill Funding
Gaps
Ensure the delivery of key
projects by harnessing
remaining required funds
from private / other public
sector sources.
Pennine Reach (£39.9m).
Council
2017
Blackburn to Bolton Rail Capacity Improvements (£10.4m).
Network Rail
2015/2016
M65 Gateway Improvements Junctions 2 to 6 (£TBC).
LEP
2014
Blackburn Town Centre Orbital Route Completion (£1m).
Council
2014-2021
Darwen East Distributor Route (£0.5m).
Council
2015-2019
East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network (£3.3m).
Lancashire
County
Council
2014-2021
3
53
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Funding Action Plan
Subject
4
Issue / Objective
Future
Harness and maximise
funding
funding opportunities for
opportunities the Borough.
Actions / Solution
Lead
Timetable
Negotiate effective Section 106 agreements to harness developer
contributions towards necessary infrastructure.
Council
On-going
Maintain effective contact with funding authorities and make an
excellent business case for investment and funding in the Borough.
Council
On-going
Maximise Evergreen, ESiF, Regional Growth Fund, Growing Places
Fund and Transport for Lancashire targeted funds.
Council
On-going
54
Plan for Prosperity 2014
APPENDIX B
Information Sources
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Core Strategy (January 2011)
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Corporate Plan 2012-2015
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Cultural Strategy (Refresh 2008)
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Employment Land Review (2013)
Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2014)
Blackburn with Darwen Housing Toolkit (Housing Implementation Strategy) (2014)
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Infrastructure Delivery Plan (January 2014)
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (20122015)
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development
Management Policies (Publication Edition – January 2014)
Capita Symonds on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council - Transport
Implications on the Local Highway Network (Dec 2013)
Centre for Cities: Cities Outlook 2013
Blackburn with Darwen Local Transport Plan 3
Development Market Study (2012)
East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan (2014)
Pennine Lancashire Investment Plan (2013)
Pennine Lancashire Sector Prospect Study (2013)
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan (2014)
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Growth Plan (2013)
Understanding the Blackburn with Darwen Economy (Ekosgen, 2013)
55
Plan for Prosperity 2014
Brian Bailey
Director of Regeneration
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
56