Local Economic Assessment - The Next Step

Mickeldore - Gaining Value from Local Economic Assessment

Establish the draft team and allocate responsibilities
Start the drafting process early to allow time for refining the 'story' and help shape the evidence gathering and analysis work.
Build on existing knowledge and the locality's starting position.
When analysing the data, relate it back to the key themes emerging in the 'story of place'. From the evidence gathered, are the key characteristics of the functional geographies in terms of enterprise, demographics, skills, employment effectively described?
Reflect 'stories' around linkages and flows, economic dependencies and infrastructure.
Can the drivers for change be described in terms of the above factors in each locality?
What is the relative importance in each area of supplementary contexts around: inclusion, environment, house, planning and connectivity?
Consider identifying useful benchmark Authorities to help illustrate key issues.
Identify areas where the narrative and the evidence do not match-up. Test findings with internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure that there is a balance between data, perception and evidence. Is the 'story' being developed helping in terms of understanding future trends and developments?

Test and refine the LEA. Obtain feedback on the draft from a small group of internal and external stakeholders.
The LEA can be presented in a number of different formats so this will need to be determined early in the process.
How will the information be presented? Identification of the key data, use of tables, charts and GIS mapping to present key data, use of statistical annexes.
Ensure that the assessment structure will meet the needs of the different audiences, from influencers (business leaders) to those who will use the LEA to inform their work (e.g. planning colleagues).
Maintain a log of sources and frequency that statistical records are updated in order that the data can be readily maintained.