Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) has published the consultation draft of its refreshed Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) for Oxfordshire.

This SEP sets out how it will support high quality growth across the economy of Oxfordshire until 2030. 

OxLEP’s vision is that, “by 2030, Oxfordshire will be recognised as a vibrant, sustainable, inclusive, world leading economy, driven by innovation, enterprise and research excellence”.

This recognises that Oxfordshire is a special place to live and work and the quality of its built and natural environment is outstanding with substantial economic assets including an exceptional research base. 

With these assets come responsibilities and challenges and the refreshed SEP sets out OxLEP’s response, structured around its four priorities of People; Place; Enterprise and Connectivity.

Launching the public consultation on the refreshed SEP, Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP said:

“In developing our refreshed SEP, we have benefited greatly from inputs from a wide range of stakeholders and partners and in particular through three public workshops.  These inputs have highlighted the need for continued support for high quality economic growth across Oxfordshire.  We have responsibilities for Oxfordshire to contribute to UK prosperity as well as a need to support our businesses and younger people who are seeking to build their lives and careers within the county. It is important that communities and businesses contribute to this consultation and we encourage everyone who is interested in the future of Oxfordshire to participate.”

The first SEP was completed in March 2014.  Since then, significant progress has been made with its implementation. OxLEP and other partners have also invested in developing new evidence and insight relating to aspects of Oxfordshire’s economy. 

A Strategic Environmental and Economic Investment Plan (SEEIP) and a Creative, Culture Heritage and Tourism Investment Plan (CCHTIP) have been produced and this new evidence and the insights gained from two years of implementation are reflected in the refreshed document.

Compared to the first SEP, the refreshed document is shorter and higher-level, providing a framework for implementation rather than detailing specific projects. It also clearly explains the relationship between the SEP and wider strategic processes, particularly those concerned with the development of Local Plans.

The public consultation will be open from Thursday 21 April to Friday 20 May 2016. 

OxLEP welcomes public and business participation. To comment, please visit here.