Economic Development
From Norfolk RCC
Regional Economic Strategy- East Of England
The regional economic strategy (often refered to as the RES) is the document that sets out the East of England's economic objectives and how it can achieve them. It created by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) together with other partner agencies.
A copy of the full document can be found here http://www.eeda.org.uk/files/A_Shared_Vision_full(2).pdf
More information on the regional economic strategy and how to become involved can be found here http://www.eeda.org.uk/1441_1353.asp
The Rural Economy
Traditionally the rural economy has been dominated by agriculture and although this sector remains important it employs less than 2% of the workforce. However Norfolk has seen the development of various sectors of the county's economy such as scientific research and financial services.
http://www.ruraladvice.co.uk
Our concerns are with the maintenance of local economies in both villages and market towns. Village shops and post offices are important factors in the village economy - employing people, selling locally produced goods, access to services such as banking and meeting the day to day needs of many people.
http://www.virsa.org http://www.producedinnorfolk.com
Citta Slow is a Italian movement that has spread across Europe that supports the local - food, heritage, shops and restaurants, and encourages an appreciation of market towns. Norfolk has two towns that have achieved Citta Slow status: Aylsham and Diss.
http://www.disstowncouncil.gov.uk
NRCC is looking for additional funding to carry out more detailed research into local village economies - the range of local businesses, the number of people employed and the impact that has on prosperity.
OCSI research into Deprivation in Rural Norfolk
February 2007 saw the launch of the Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) report into deprivation in rural Norfolk. The research was commissioned by Norfolk Rural Community Council on behalf of Norfolk Investing in Communities partnership and uncovered striking evidence of previously hidden pockets of deprivation in rural Norfolk. Not only does this research provides valuable information into where projects aimed at reducing deprivation should be targeted but also indicates the extent of the rural share of deprivation in Norfolk. In some incidents this share of deprivation equates to a 60% current under funding of rural areas in relation to deprivation. This research therefore has the potential to radically alter the way funding is currently allocated and ultimately transform the lives of many peoples who would otherwise may have missed out.
