Plymouth's opportunity to take the lead in marine science and technology
Plymouth has been shortlisted to get the freedom, powers and tools needed to shape the city's and the region's economic future.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced that Plymouth will have the opportunity to join the City Deals programme, bringing devolved financial and planning powers to stimulate economic regeneration.
Plymouth's bid focuses on supporting the development and commercialisation of marine science and technology businesses and the marine renewable energy sector by bringing together the knowledge, research and development facilities of the university and private sector.
This would nurture businesses and support them in commercialising research and accessing EU business growth programmes.
There is also a plan to free up surplus MoD land such as South Yard in Devonport to create a marine technology production campus, enabling marine related firms to link ideas, research, development and testing and enable large scale industrial production.
A third focus is on developing an international investment and export pilot with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to prepare and connect businesses with export markets.
Last summer, eight of England's largest cities confirmed deals with the Government to boost local growth. Now Plymouth is one of 20 more cities to get the green light and will be fast-tracked to go ahead and negotiate plans.
Tim Jones, Chair of Heart of the South West LEP said the deal had the potential to benefit all of the South West. The focus on marine science, clusters of marine and manufacturing business research and development will benefit areas such as North Devon, Torbay, and Falmouth and Hayle.
Mr Jones added: "Despite enormous growth potential, Plymouth has been performing well below its true capacity for many years, and many reasons. The city deal has meant we've all had to take a long hard look at the reasons for Plymouth's decline, whilst assessing the opportunities for the area to exploit its strengths and take control of its own destiny.
"Plymouth has unique and fantastic marine assets - from the knowledge and research at the University, to clusters of internationally renowned companies along with outstanding sites alongside the waterfront. We also have some very committed and able partners in industry and academia who will be a vital part of achieving a long-term legacy.
"By capitalising on these resources we can build a much stronger proposition to both industry and government; one that will be able to deliver real growth and cultivate real ambition to succeed. It's a great step forward for all of us in the South West."
Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: "The announcement that Plymouth is to be fast-tracked for City Deal approval is a significant step forward for our city and wider region.
"The deal places the University's world-class marine and maritime expertise - focused around our cutting edge Marine Building and new facilities - at the heart of a knowledge-rich, research-intensive economic cluster. The City Deal draws on our established Marine Institute and the University's Growth Acceleration and Investment Network 'GAIN' that's driving enterprise across Cornwall and Devon.
"It once again demonstrates the value of partnership, and we look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to realise the vision of a connected and thriving Marine City with Plymouth as a regional hub of excellence."
Professor Julian Beer, Plymouth University Pro-Vice Chancellor for Regional Enterprise added: "The City Deals project is excellent news for Plymouth and the region, but there is a lot of work still to do to write a strong business plan.
"Plymouth has rightly been recognised for its expertise in the marine and maritime sectors and we are well placed to take full advantage of this. The University's Marine Institute is the first and largest such institute in the UK and has 3000 staff, researchers and students focusing on research, education and innovation. And the new Marine Building is a global centre for research, innovation and enterprise in the marine and maritime sectors with unmatched wave tank testing facilities.
"We look forward to working with all our partners across the region to share this expertise and to realise the potential of this opportunity."
Plymouth now has nine months to further develop its plans and agree the final terms for a City Deal.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "This City Deal is about capitalising on what we are good at and unleashing the enormous potential of the marine science sector in Plymouth and the South West peninsula a whole.
"It's about working together and creating the right conditions that enable marine businesses to flourish. One way of doing this is to maximise the potential of sites such as South Yard for use by developing marine industries.
"Our joint plans are all the stronger for being backed by key partners across the region. It has involved an unprecedented amount of work with partners across the peninsula for mutual benefit. We now intend to build these relationships to ensure that we become an economic force to be reckoned with.
"I would like to thank our colleagues from Devon and Cornwall councils, business and the local economic partnerships for their level of support so far and I looked forward to working with them on negotiating our City Deal."
Although nominally a City Deal, the aim is to extend the benefits to a wider area. The Plymouth City Deal proposal is supported by the Heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership, Plymouth University, Devon Country Council, Cornwall Council, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Economic Partnership, West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council, Torbay Council, City College, Plymouth, South West Marine Energy Park (SWMEP), Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Babcock, Princess Yachts and Plymouth Marine Laboratories.
David Parlby, CEO of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce said, "This is excellent news for Plymouth. A great deal of hard work went into developing the City Deal proposition from many different partners in the city, including the Chamber. I look forward to that spirit of focused and close collaborative working continuing in the next phase of work to ensure that the highly innovative ideas that were developed get put into practice. This can only be good for the economy of Plymouth and its surrounding neighbours."
In a speech last night at the Mansion House, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg announced the City Deals shortlist and said "Even more places will be free from Whitehall control and have the tools to power their own growth. These deals help cities and their wider areas make once in a generation changes that will be felt by everyone across their region.
"Letting go of power and money doesn't come naturally to Whitehall. Over time, the economic importance of other parts of the country has been devastatingly downplayed, as the economic elite have narrowed the debate towards a London-centric view.
"Rather than let our industries and communities wither, we need to free up cities outside of London that have their own unique selling points."
Photograph: Lloyd Russell, Plymouth University
