Forthcoming Research for 2008/09

Towards a Local Economic Assessment for Staffordshire

The Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR), published by the Government in July 2007 proposed a duty for upper tier Local Authorities to “assess the economic circumstances of their area”. The first of these economic assessments will be produced in 2010/11 to feed into the next round of Local Area Agreements and to inform the evidence base of the proposed Integrated Regional Strategies (also proposed by the SNR) which will replace existing Regional Spatial, Economic and Housing Strategies. Staffordshire Observatory will be working alongside partners over forthcoming months to establish the key issues affecting the local economy, and moving forward into suggesting the ways in which the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the local area can be addressed to drive forward the improved economic prosperity of Staffordshire.

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The Observatory is currently in the process of creating an interactive mapping tool, which will allow the user to view a range of different data sets (including crime, Fire & Rescue data, education and health data) across Staffordshire. This tool will be provided on a CD-ROM allowing the user to select and de-select the various data sets and to pan and zoom around Staffordshire. The project is intended to support the strategic needs of Staffordshire’s Community Safety Partnerships and will be completed by July 2008, with a view to updating on an annual basis.

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