Vision and objectives
Vision 2030
We have a clear vision for an inclusive economy in 2030:
- 1. We aspire to have a resilient and inclusive economy, in which everyone can take part and benefit from growth. We aim to equip all our residents to fulfil their potential.
- 2. We will take advantage of investments in our towns and villages and strong connections to surrounding cities and beyond to make Kirklees one of the best places to live, work and do business in the North of England, acknowledged for our exceptional quality of life
- 3. We will be known for our strengths in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, textiles, and health and life sciences - and as the supply chain for the nation
- 4. We will contribute positively to achieving net zero and the transition to a low carbon economy and protect and enhance our natural environment as a vital economic asset.
Our objectives
How will we realise the vision, in partnership with private, public and voluntary sector partners?
We know we must continue to work with business to improve productivity in Kirklees. This is the primary route to increasing workers' wages, improving household incomes and wellbeing.
We must also work with the private sector to improve sustainability - how much we make and consume, how much new resource is required for this, how things get from A to B and the energy used to do it. We must also seek to capitalise on the economic opportunities arising from sustainability and net zero.
We must improve inclusion as there are significant differences in how residents experience our economy and the extent to which they can participate in it and benefit from it, strongly linked to health and wellbeing outcomes.
As resources become increasingly constrained, the Council will seek to prioritise investment in activities that achieve productivity, sustainability and inclusion outcomes.
Building on this framework, we have identified three simple objectives to achieve progress towards a more inclusive economy in Kirklees:
- supporting our People to have the skills they need and to access jobs where those skills will be put to good use, including helping those residents who are furthest from the labour market to re-enter and remain in work
- supporting Businesses, including social enterprises to start up, grow and invest so they create more good jobs, improve their productivity and increase wage levels whilst contributing to wider inclusive growth aims
- investing in our diverse Places and the physical and digital connections between them to increase access to job opportunities for Kirklees residents, widen the talent pool for local businesses and ensure that Kirklees remains a fantastic place to live, work and do business
The following sections of the Inclusive Economy Strategy set out the priorities for action to achieve each of these objectives, and how we will measure success.
