Have your say on the new strategy to boost the local economy.

Following an initial consultation in August, we're asking residents and businesses to take their final chance to influence the Economic Development and Visitor Economy strategy for Wyre over the next ten to 15 years.

Take part by visiting the Have Your Say page on the Wyre Council website and offering your views on the strategic priorities, through an online survey. The consultation closes on Sunday 22 December.

In addition to the online survey, council officers are holding open consultation sessions to allow as many people as possible to have an opportunity to input into the final strategy. The open sessions will feature panels of experts, who will discuss key issues and opportunities on the individual priorities laid out in the strategy, so people can learn more, ask any questions and offer their feedback direct.

Open consultation sessions:

• Wyre Council Civic Centre on 28 November from 5pm to 7pm. Panel session will begin at 6pm
• Wyre Council Centre, Poulton-Le-Fylde on 12 December from 12 noon to 4pm. Panel session will begin at 1pm.
• The Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood on Saturday 14 December from 10am to 12pm. Panel sessions will begin at 11am.

If you would like to join the sessions remotely, please contact [email protected] to arrange.

There will also be informative boards showcasing the strategy at Wyre Council Civic Centre reception for people to learn more about the strategy, from 8.30am until 5pm throughout the consultation period.

The strategy is crucial to delivering one of the four priorities in its new Council Plan, which is to ensure a 'thriving local economy and town centres.' It will set out what Wyre Council and their strong partnership relationships, aims to achieve over ten to 15 years to help drive forward economic development and visitor growth.

Initial work has looked at the context for the strategy and some of the 'big issues' to be explored such as business premises and employment land, skills gaps, rural businesses, new industries, our cultural offer, overnight stays, and local transport. To ensure the strategy works for all, Wyre Council wants to understand what people who live, work, visit, learn, invest or run a business want, what challenges or opportunities they anticipate and what support they need.

Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council commented,

"This strategy sets out a comprehensive framework to help us achieve our vision for the future economic development of Wyre. It presents a simple, high-level view of how the council and partner networks will drive economic success and visitor growth across the borough through a series of initiatives, actions and commitments.

"The strategy is the culmination of a process of stakeholder engagement, baseline context review and the subsequent development and refinement of strategic interventions.

"We now need as many businesses and residents to take part in the consultation and attend the open sessions as possible, as their feedback will be vital in driving the next stage of this process, helping to influence our priorities as we work on the final strategy."

Please take part before Sunday 22 December.

The final Economic Development and Visitor Economy strategy will be submitted to Full Council for approval in Spring 2025.

Published: 22nd November 2024