Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) has today (17 March 2017) launched a refreshed Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), an ‘economic route map’ for the successful and sustainable development of Oxfordshire. Following consultation with Oxfordshire businesses and residents, alongside the active support of our local authorities, the updated SEP reflects on new evidence and insight as well as the changing wider context for the county’s economic well-being following the referendum on the UK’s membership to the EU.

The SEP, which is underpinned by strategies relating to skills, innovation, culture and heritage and the environment, was announced by the Chair of OxLEP, Jeremy Long, at the opening of the Begbroke Innovation Accelerator, a new science facility part-funded through the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal, an investment secured by OxLEP. In his speech, Jeremy highlighted some of the most pressing challenges for Oxfordshire – including the need to provide more affordable housing across the region, the need for more top quality business incubation space which the Innovation Centre begins to address and the need to provide more capacity on roads to tackle congestion.

He commented, “Oxfordshire is a very successful county which makes a valuable contribution to the UK economy as a whole. We’ve made substantial progress towards delivering our goals for the region since the SEP was first published in 2014, so refreshing the Plan is an important factor to ensure the continued sustainable economic growth across the county.

“Our Plan also recognises the importance of continuing to conserve Oxfordshire’s natural, cultural and heritage assets as these are key for visitors, residents and businesses. We would like to thank Oxfordshire organisations and the public for responding and contributing during the consultation process.”

Oxfordshire’s SEP is intended to be a widely-owned ‘economic route map’ focused on supporting the economic performance, potential and prospects of Oxfordshire, and managing the county’s strong economic growth to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.