Over the last two years, Lancaster & Morecambe Vision has commissioned a number of reports and studies - all with a view to informing and furthering the economic development of the district.

 

We are very happy to make the conclusions of these studies available to the general public and local stakeholder organisations.

 

Economic Research. In September 2005, Altrincham-based economic consultants Regeneris concluded an in-depth analysis of the Lancaster & Morecambe economy. Their remit was to undertake a baseline analysis of all economic indices, identify employment and business trends and key economic drivers, consider the contextual factors affecting these drivers, identify threats to our economy, analyse the particular idiosyncracies of the rural economy, something not undertaken in recent years in such detail, and, lastly, produce a framework for monitoring and evaluating performance in the future. The results of this work are given in the following four reports:

Sustainable Energy. In June 2006 Quantum Strategy & Technology, a NW environmental consultancy with an office in Lancaster, concluded a study commissioned by the Vision Board into the renewable and sustainable energy options for Lancaster & Morecambe, from an economic and job creation perspective. Quantum's recommendations have been very well received and we are now in the process of exploring them further with a view to pro-actively stimulating the development of this increasingly important sector. The Sustainable Energy recommendations are given in the following substantial report:

Transport. In December 2006, specialist transport consultants Faber Maunsell were appointed to undertake a comprehensive study into the development of an overall transport strategy and masterplan for the district. They have been asked to recommend new transport and traffic measures to complement the opening of the Morecambe/Heysham-M6 link road to ensure that congestion does not build back up to present levels. For further information about this major transport study and to register your views on how transport can be improved within the district, please click on the following link to the Transport consultation website.

Worklessness. One of the many strands of the economic Vision we have for Lancaster & Morecambe is making efforts towards addressing some of the inequalities within our community, particularly in respect of worklessness and the economic and social disenfranchisement which results. In December 2006, the Vision Board commissioned Lancaster & Morecambe College to undertake a practical study into barriers to work for certain groups within the community. The study will engage with local employers, to understand from their perspective why they are failing to provide adequate employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed and those on incapacity benefit. The short-term project aims to place 10 long-term unemployed individuals into work with local employers and report on recommendations as to how this could be achieved on a wider basis. This is an ongoing project, so we have nothing to report right now - but any recommendations will be shared via this website.

 

Employers are invited to take part in our Changing Lives project survey, which aims to understand the barriers to employing disabled people and the long-term unemployed and determine the degree to which local companies are willing to work with us to overcome these barriers and adopt more socially inclusive employment policies.

 

To take part in the survey, please click the following link. [Please note that all responses are anonymous]:

Recycling. The growth of more recycling businesses and jobs also features within the Vision as a promising sector for local economic development. With legislative and economic pressures to recycle more of our domestic and commercial waste and with landfill taxes forever increasing, recycling will become an important part of every district's economy. In February 2007, the Vision Board commissioned Quantum Strategy & Technology to evaluate supply and demand in the recycling sector and produce a business plan for the establishment of a Recycling & Reuse Enterprise Park within the district. Again, this is work in progress - but as soon as the final recommendations have been produced, we shall post them here.