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12 Nov 07New Partnership To Boost Economic Prosperity
Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset will be given new powers to work together on plans to boost jobs, transport links and housing.
The three authorities will work together with local businesses and the Government to develop a Multi Area Agreement (MAA) which will allow them to set their priorities on how to tackle key local issues and increase business competitiveness and quality of life.
The Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset area has been selected as one of 13 sub-regions in England to introduce MAAs. Partners are planning measures to boost employment skills, develop the local transport infrastructure and offer more affordable housing, with an overall focus on delivering economic prosperity. The area is already a major centre for the financial services, marine and aerospace industries, as well as excellent education opportunities through Bournemouth University 
, However, the whole area has potential for further economic development and prosperity. The work will focus primarily , but not exclusively on the urban area around Poole and Bournemouth.
Leader of Borough of Poole, Cllr Brian Leverett, said: "The local councils, together with partners such as the Learning and Skills Council and local businesses believe that the area's economy is under-performing. We are determined that local authority boundaries will not get in the way of making economic progress and see the Multi Area Agreement as an important way of cementing a new partnership between the public and private sectors. "
Angus Campbell, Leader of Dorset County Council , said: "I'm delighted that we have been chosen as a pilot for this work. This is another example of this area taking a lead nationally. I hope that very soon we will be able to announce the names of all the partners involved."
Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council , Cllr Stephen McLaughlin said: "We are determined to make sure our local economy remains strong so that local people have access to good jobs and housing they can afford. We believe that being a pilot MAA means we will be able to bring in new money from central government and hopefully cut red tape."
The three councils have invited Gordon Page, chairman of Cobham Plc, to chair the MAA, which will aim to deliver increased economic performance by improving the area's infrastructure through better cross conurbation transport links, developing more employment space and bridging the housing affordability gap. It will also aim to raise skill levels and exploit the benefits of the 2012 Olympics.
The new plans will enable local government to transcend traditional administrative and structural boundaries and deliver solutions that cover entire commuter routes. Currently, councils have only limited scope to work together effectively on specific transport issues. The new legislation will extend these powers to regeneration, jobs, skills, housing and planning. The new sub-regions aim to have all agreed their own MAAs locally and with the Government by June 2008.
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