Waveney needs a prosperous and vibrant economy which inspires and encourages people and communities to succeed

“Waveney will have developed an innovative, diverse and sustainable economy that optimises environmental, cultural and enterprise opportunities”

The current challenges for the Waveney area are to:

Retain and develop existing businesses operating within the Waveney district.

Attract new businesses into Waveney with stable, high quality jobs for local people, in particular focusing on the key opportunities associated with growth industries.

Increase average earnings, which presently are largely below national averages.

Raise the current low levels of productivity and address the perceived lack of

investment and confidence.

Address low levels and declining business start up rates and support small and medium sized enterprises.

Attract external funding for regeneration and development from Europe and other government and business sources.

Mitigate the disadvantages associated with Waveney’s geographic isolation.

Tackle the lack of sustainable and diverse employment, particularly within market towns.

Develop rural enterprise that meets the needs of rural communities and promotes

accessible employment.

Retain sufficient levels of employment land while protecting Waveney’s cultural

heritage.

Increase the level of tourism and related employment throughout Waveney.

Improve the poor transport infrastructure and public transport provision within and serving the district.

Target Waveney’s areas of high multiple deprivation and inequality.

We will:

Develop a sustainable, market-leading, nationally and internationally recognised offshore and renewable energy sector, creating high value jobs to service and support the sector and ensure that the appropriate skills are developed within the local workforce to support growth and development in this key sector.

Exploit and promote Waveney’s unique land and sea assets for work and leisure, creating a national reputation for excellence in environmental and rural management.

Tackle rural and urban deprivation through diversification and the growth of high–tech businesses, power industries and year round quality tourism.

Identify and deliver an iconic project, which capitalises upon Lowestoft Ness - the most easterly point in Britain - and the ‘sunrise coast’.

Make Waveney a significant gateway to Europe and develop a masterplan that identifies and delivers a range of highways, transportation and rail improvements for regeneration, in particular, of Lowestoft.

Plan for sustainable economic growth to develop local sustainable industry, create jobs, increase homes and affordable housing and support thriving communities.

Enhance not-for-profit community interest companies and social enterprises, in addition to strengthening and improving volunteering.

Lobby service providers to deliver comprehensive high speed broadband access and above national average levels of electronic access to information for all citizens and businesses within the district

Deliver specific improvement projects including retention of Cefas within Waveney, the Beccles loop rail link and development of the Power Park, Port and Lake Lothing area in accordance with the Lake Lothing and Outer Harbour Area Action Plan.