Hertfordshire Growth Board: Refreshed priorities still focusing on Hertfordshire’s strengths

It is fair to say that the world has not been turning slowly in the five years since the Hertfordshire Growth Board was established.

Back in 2018 the Board’s focus was very much around collaboration and good growth. Specifically, to deliver housing growth and infrastructure, as well as working with national government to secure a growth deal for the county.

Achievements during this period include the establishment of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Development Board, (HIDB), a member funded organisation bringing together the development sector, local authorities and public agencies to stimulate sustainable growth through collaboration and partnership. A guide to Off Site Manufacturing (OSM) has been launched and a film office has been set up to support the county’s growing film and TV production sector.

With significant change happening since at local, national and international levels, the fifth anniversary of the Board was the opportunity to review and reset new priorities.

Whilst a collective approach to problem solving is still very much at the heart of the Growth Board, four priority areas have been identified to help deliver the type of growth Hertfordshire wants to achieve now and in the future.

Capital projects – As we know, Hertfordshire has a lot going for it: housing development, town centre regeneration, the creation of new business and employment sites, which when combined are on a scale much larger than many other places. In a competitive landscape, a new funding proposition is required, to attract private and institutional investors, who in turn will bring new thinking and ideas to help improve what we already have.

Housing affordability and supply – Housing growth was and continues to be of significant importance. This is especially true, if not more so, in the context of affordable housing. Focus needs to be given to priority groups, such as keyworkers, the young and the old, whose needs are greatest. For this to happen, partnership working will have to take place to help bring in the investment needed.

Connectivity – Local public transport and digital infrastructure across the county are two areas that require development. Innovative transport schemes need developing, such as HertsLynx on-demand bus service, together with the long term vision for the Hertfordshire Essex Rapid Transit (HERT), a sustainable passenger transport network planned to carry more people than a car and be more convenient than a bus. The county also requires digital connectivity to support hybrid working, while county ‘dead spots’ will have to be upgraded.

Skills, sectors, recruitment and retention –Workforce shortages and retention challenges are not unique to Hertfordshire. Working with colleges, skills providers and employers will be at the heart of monitoring and responding to skills shortages, to ensure that a local workforce is suitably trained to meet the needs of high-growth and essential sectors.

It’s unlikely that the pace of change will slow down in the next five years, but the Hertfordshire Growth Board’s areas of focus will look to provide the skills and support to see the county continue to grow and prosper.

Connect with a member of the Hertfordshire Growth Board team HertfordshireGrowthBoard@hertfordshire.gov.uk

To find out more about the Growth Board please visit our website www.hertfordshiregrowthboard.com