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With the reality of public sector cuts starting to bite, we're all scrutinising our spending ever-more closely to ensure real value in the priorities and projects we invest in. Set against the backdrop of swingeing cuts and global recession, achieving positive and productive engagement with local businesses is a real challenge. Nicola Bulbeck is joint chief executive of Teignbridge and Torridge DCs In Torridge, we recognise that dynamic partnership working with the private sector has the potential to deliver real-life efficiencies and innovation, resulting in real value and benefits for our customers. And to that end, we are part of a true partnership which is securing in-depth engagement with our business partners. This local not-for-profit economic development agency, known as North Devon+, is shared with neighbouring North Devon DC, and brings together some of the best local public and private sector business minds to ensure our ‘place' can recover from the recession, navigate austerity measures, and emerge with tangible improvements for the future. Both districts have committed to core funding the organisation to deliver economic development and regeneration work across northern Devon, including tourism promotion. The organisation has a board made up of elected members and local business leaders. The public sector has a majority of one, but the private sector holds the chair. This fair balance of power has enabled us to attract some of the highest-calibre business leaders in the area to sit on the board. They not only attend board meetings but lead on much of the work that results. One example is a project producing the Food and Drink Guide 2010, the Food Awards, and the Foodfest Event. This scheme links producers and consumers, strengthens the local supply chain, showcases the best of northern Devon, improves the skills of local businesses, has achieved an upgrade of a local authority facility, and has resulted in national recognition. The depth of commitment and engagement from the board is impressive. It is willing and able to lead other businesses in areas which extend this engagement into skills, tourism promotion and sector support. North Devon+ as a company also has more than 500 business members who, in return for an annual subscription, receive a range of membership services. In tough times, engaging all relevant sectors and partners is vital to the big picture, and the diminishing funding pot. The North Devon+ approach is also demonstrably effective in securing commitment from the private sector.

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WHITEHALL

District View

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