Residents, industry experts, businesses and community groups will work together on Newcastle’s plans for economic recovery. They will be part of a shared vision for the future that will shape the city as a place to live, work and do business.
On behalf of the city and together with a broad range of stakeholders, Newcastle City Council will create a ten-year plan, which will look to reinvent and accelerate their ambitions for an inclusive, green, and prosperous economy.
Throughout March until the end of May and working in partnership with NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) the council will embark on an extensive engagement process, to gather insight on how best to recover, build new partnerships and identify projects and opportunities for collaboration. This builds on previous dialogue with the city’s public and private sector businesses, with intelligence and insight informing a development of a plan that will take the city forward to 2030.
Led by NGI, a series of stakeholder workshops will facilitate discussions around key themes, challenges, and ambitions for the future. As part of this process, and to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, all residents can give their views online and participate in virtual citizen panels.
This ten-year vision for recovery, will set out how the city will support the wellbeing of their people and communities, drive innovation and create jobs, continue to transform the city centre and neighbourhoods, and invest in infrastructure to meet future needs. All underpinned by a commitment to net-zero and creating a more inclusive and equal society.
Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council said:
“The Covid pandemic has had a profound impact on our city, the people, and the communities we love. As well as responding to the crisis and restarting our city, we must look towards accelerating growth, creating jobs and a better future.
“Collaboration is a vital component of both social and economic recovery and this ten-year plan must align with the aspirations and needs of our people. As the regional capital of the North East, our plans for recovery and reinvention can only be realised by taking a long-term and collaborative approach – we want everyone to engage and be part of these plans.
“We need a diverse range of voices to help us shape our future and this is a real opportunity to do things differently. This plan belongs to everyone – whether you live, work or have a commercial interest in our city”
Sarah Green, Chief Executive, NewcastleGateshead Initiative added:
“We must engage and have conversations with a range of stakeholders to understand what is needed to recover, reshape, and reinvent Newcastle.
“Following the government’s publication of a roadmap for re-opening, the city is looking towards safe reopening, working with partners, communities, and businesses to ensure that at each stage the correct support is in place. But we also need to innovate and reinvent our city to tackle the profound changes Covid has had on how we do things.
“The city’s commitment to net-zero 2030 will create new green jobs. Our exemplar health service will support the development of our recognised life sciences cluster, whilst improving the health of people. Our digital sector will build on its growth throughout the pandemic, creating jobs and products and services of the future. Economic targets will be matched with environmental and social goals, creating a place where people can live well.
“We pride ourselves on being a city that makes history and shapes the future. By working together, we can define, challenge, and mark out a new path.”
If you are a resident in Newcastle and want to have your say visit www.newcastlegateshead.com/haveyoursay