Local authorities have a central role to play in supporting their local economies, whether it is direct support to businesses in their area or support and advice to communities and residents.
The WLGA publication below which looked at the impact of the recession identifies the wide range of ways in which council services contribute to and impact on the health of the local economy (and vice versa).
The WLGA’s Sustainable Development Framework looks at how economic regeneration can be supported in ways that develop local economic resilience. Click here
Local economic resilience was also the theme of a WLGA workshop held in March 2010. Click here to view the presentations
In a similar vein, work by the Sustainable Development Commission Wales on Low Carbon Regions identified opportunities to help us develop more sustainable economies. Click here
The Local Government Improvement and Development website contains a range of useful information for local authorities on how to drive economic prosperity. It also provides a link to a community of interest on ‘raising economic prosperity’. Whilst some of the material is specific to England, there is much that is of use to authorities in Wales. Click here
During the recession the Welsh Government developed schemes (ReAct and ProACt) to help those who had been made redundant find a new job, and offering support to businesses prepared to recruit them. In December 2010 ReACtII was launched and came into force on 1st April 2011. Click here
(The ProACt scheme closed in 2010 with remaining funds allocated to Skills Growth Wales)
For more information contact: Tim Peppin