Economic Strategy & Policy
What we do
The Economic Strategy & Policy directorate drives the economic development work of Northamptonshire Enterprise, ensuring that we meet county-wide objectives for business competitiveness, skills, socio-economic inclusion and prosperity for the population of Northamptonshire.
We work with key partners on a local, regional and national basis, to develop and deliver strategy across a wide arena of economic priorities. Our key roles are to:
- Identify key current and emerging economic development issues, opportunities and challenges
- Develop policy responses to these issues and influence the policies, plans and programmes of external organisations to ensure that mutual priorities are achieved.
- Provide leadership to our partners in Northamptonshire to share knowledge and drive joined up strategic response to the economic challenges and opportunities we face.
- Align Northamptonshire's objectives with those of regional and national initiatives, maximising opportunities and benefits for Northamptonshire.
- Identify, secure and allocate resources, internally & externally, to enable the implementation of projects for inward investment, tourism, and the wider economic agenda.
- Stimulate the creation of additional commercial developments in the county through our Fit For Market scheme, by working with developers.
How we can help you
The Economic Development Stakeholder Forum is for key partners at a strategic or senior operational level to share intelligence, best practice, and consult on countywide economic development plans.
Northamptonshire Observatory is the gateway to impartial and objective research, statistics and expertise on the county. It is free, interactive and simple to use.
Our team regularly consults with partners to reflect local views and co-ordinate responses to regional, national and European policy initiatives, ensuring that Northamptonshire's voice is heard.
We initiate task and finish groups to address specific areas of need and ensure wide input to a strategy development, drawing participants from a wide range of public, private and 3rd sector organisations.
NEL is the lead body for the Local Area Agreement economic block in Northamptonshire, and our representation on the steering group means that our partners have a voice at the strategic level.
The team sit on various regional fora including the East Midlands Development Agency theme groups dealing with new policy development for raising productivity, ensuring sustainability, and achieving equality. We champion Northamptonshire's needs to make sure they are recognised in regional policy.
We represent Northamptonshire at various levels including the Economy & Skills board for the Milton Keynes South Midlands growth area, championing the interests of Northamptonshire in the context of the Government's growth agenda.
We facilitate understanding of the European policy & International policy agendas that could impact on Northamptonshire, and help partners realise opportunities by building relationships in these key areas.
