The current Economic Development Strategy, produced by Hatch Regeneris in 2019 (accompanied by a Socio-Economic Baseline), expired in 2024 and is therefore in need of updating, both in line with events which have occurred since its adoption by the Council (COVID-19, change in government, other economic impacts) but also the emerging Local Plan.
As part of the Local Plan review, TDC’s Planning department agreed to include a light touch review of the Economic Development Strategy to ensure it continues to align with the needs and priorities of the district and the emerging new Local Plan.
Following the review by external consultants (ekosgen 2025), it was advised that opportunities for delivery identified in the previous Strategy and the 5 identified objectives remain relevant locally.
Further to this, taking into consideration Local Government Reorganisation, it was felt inappropriate for a new strategy to be developed and that a refresh of the existing document to align with new opportunities and risks would be sufficient to cover the next three years until TDC becomes part of the new combined authority.
To ensure the refresh of the Economic Development Strategy is as current as possible, aligns with neighbouring authorities and has a refreshed Socio-Economic Baseline a full Request for Quotation (RfQ) process took place to secure a consultant and after a subsequent evaluation, GC Insight have been selected as the preferred supplier based on value for money.