At the same time, the council wants to foster a “whole place” approach to growing and sustaining quality places. It also recognises that future opportunities can only be maximised in a balanced, inclusive economy while also capturing the potential of a greener economy.
To help achieve the first priority, the council plans to establish a Surrey Innovation Programme, coupled with a sustainable fund that draws on investment to support new and expanding businesses in critical sectors and technology areas.
“We have significant local private sector investment, which can be channelled into driving innovation in business start-up and growth, supported by our universities,” said Oliver.
Green innovation
Innovation in environmental solutions is critical to the future, Oliver said. The council plans to support the development of the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector and help encourage the wider adoption of lower carbon technologies.
Oliver added that extensive work has already been undertaken to help major automotive sector employers create a new environmentally- conscious cluster where they can share ideas, invest and deliver clean vehicles and associated infrastructure.
DBE Energy, which produces hydrogen fuel through anaerobic digestion, is another example of an increasing focus on environmental solutions.
“Growing a greener economy is one of the board’s primary objectives and this agenda is being driven by Surrey County Council through its Greener Futures work,” explained Oliver.
“It is a cross-cutting, multi-agency priority which needs to be embedded in all our strategic intentions and underpins all of our proposed projects.”
Oliver also points to the imminent launch of the council’s Low Carbon Across the South East programme. Through the provision of grants and access to environmental training, the council plans to help small-to-medium- sized businesses reduce their carbon emissions, deliver efficiencies and save money.
In the Government’s Build Back Better: Our Plan for Growth, which promised to “level up the UK”, one of the proposals is the creation of new county deals that could give county councils new powers and greater accountability to manage business growth.
The move comes as the Government reviews the future role of local enterprise partnerships. Whatever the outcome of the review and county deals proposal, Oliver feels the future is bright for Surrey.
DBE Energy
“We are resolute that whatever opportunities, resources and governance mechanisms are available to use, we will re-focus attention on the Surrey geography, that we retain a relentless focus on where we can add value from working together and that we remind everyone of the fundamental role that Surrey plays in driving the regional and national economy,” he said.
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Partnerships will be key if we are to meet the challenges we face in the coming years, from the recovery from the effects of the pandemic to climate change
Tim Oliver Leader of Surrey County Council
businessmag.co.uk SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
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focus on surrey
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