Community Strategy Response
At its meeting on Friday 28th September, the Blackpool Business Leadership Group was consulted on the "Shaping The Future of Blackpool" Sustainable Community Strategy.
The BBLG received a detailed presentation on the various issues facing Blackpool as a town and as a visitor destination, and the negative impact that some of those issues are having on the local population.
The group fully appreciates the scale of the problems that must be addressed and understands that in the current circumstances, there is a desire to make improvements across a broad spectrum of community life.
In that regard, the Draft Vision for Blackpool - as outlined within the strategy plan - is one that is fully endorsed by the BBLG.
However, it is also felt that in order to have a real and sustainable impact on the resort's fortunes, there must be a prioritisation of the goals contained within the strategy.
Whilst each goal has its own merit, it is felt by the BBLG that two of the five objectives - "Improve prosperity for our population" and "Improve levels of skill and educational attainment" - are key to the town's regeneration.
That is not to disregard the vital importance of health, community safety and sustainable development, but the BBLG view is that these objectives will be more readily achieved against a backdrop of economic growth, sustainable year-round employment, improved skills and greater levels of business confidence.
From a business perspective, it is felt that low levels of confidence are perpetuating a vicious circle of low skills and educational achievement, low-paid (often seasonal) jobs and lack of investment from the private sector.
That, in turn, creates a whole raft of spin-off problems such as poor diet; unaffordable housing; low levels of aspiration among the young; high levels of teenage pregnancy; and a diminishing sense of community pride.
It is the view of the BBLG that these issues cannot be resolved without a heavy focus on the economy and development of relevant, work-related skills among the local population.
There is a strong view that there is a direct and inextricable link between levels of education, income, aspiration and community pride.
It is the BBLG's belief that by concentrating on economic growth and improved levels of aspiration, there is a real opportunity to transform the "vicious circle" into a "virtuous circle" - one that sees a confident business community willing to invest in the future through sustainable, better paid jobs; a bespoke network of skills, training and business support; and a local population that aspires to be a part of that future.
Without that high degree of focus on the economy, there is concern that in spite of the best intentions of these strategic plans, nothing will change in real terms.
In that respect, the BBLG would urge the Local Strategic Partnership to formally prioritise Goals 1 and 2 and to accept that an upturn in business confidence and prosperity - coupled with a sea change in levels of skills and aspiration within the town's existing and potential workforce - will have a very significant and positive impact on achieving the LSP's overall vision for Blackpool.
The BBLG is passionate about the regeneration of Blackpool and is committed to supporting the LSP in its quest to improve the fortunes of the town.
As the Sustainable Community Strategy takes shape it will endeavour to support and promote the message that a more prosperous Blackpool is fundamental to a better Blackpool.