Opportunity Sutton statement

Opportunity Sutton Unlocking Economic Growth

“Our vision is for Sutton to be anenterprising, enabling borough that isa magnet for business investment; thatwelcomes new entrepreneurs and socialenterprises; nurtures its business baseand removes barriers to enterprise.We want Sutton to have a competitiveedge over our neighbours.”London Borough of SuttonWhy choose Sutton?Priorities for growthProsperityPeoplePlaceDelivering the vision235791113We know our borough is attractive so we can court investment confidently.Growth is essential for Sutton, but that growth must be sustainable and be sharedacross the borough among all of our residents. Our commitment, outlined throughthe One Planet Living Action Plan, is to use our resources responsibly. To createsustainable growth and strengthen our core values of making a place that is fairer,cleaner, greener and safer, we aim to become the London Leader in One PlanetLiving.Cllr Jayne McCoyChair, Housing, Economy and Business CommitteeSutton High Street1

London Borough of SuttonToA3Worcester ParkPolice StnPTo Stoneleighand EpsomWorcesterParkCHEAM COMMON ROAD A2043++To Ewell & EwellA24 LONDON ROADTo Epsom DownsCHURCH HILL ROADEWELLTo Ewelland EpsomA232PRIORY RDTo Ewell& EpsomMALDEN ROADROADSTONECOT HILL A24GANDERBANSTEAD ROADA2022+Pyl BrookGREEN LANENorthCheamABBOTTS RD++PPBanstead+CheamTo MordenSUTTONCOMMON RDOLDFIELDS ROAD A217QUARRY PARK RDBURDON LANECOLLINGWOOD RDCHEAM ROADGROVE ROADCheamNORTHEY AVETo M25WestSuttonBELMONT RISE A217REIGATE AVEST NICHOLAS WAYMULGRAVE ROADBelmont+A2022To BansteadA217 BRIGHTON ROADSuttonCommonOVERTON ROADBusStationPP++HIGH STREETROSE HILLTHROWLEY WAY++To Morden & A24+BRIGHTON ROADDOWNS ROADWRYTHEOAKHILL ROADSuttonPPPoliceStnBISHOPSFORD ROADSuttonSuttonHospitalLANEThe RoyalMarsdenHospital+RosehillSt HelierHospitalTo MitchamERSKINE ROADWESTMEADCARSHALTONBANSTEAD ROADA217Tramlink to WimbledonRail to Clapham JunctionMIDDLETON ROADGREEN WRYTHE LANEROADWOODMANSTERNE ROADROADWEST STCarshaltonBeechesR. WandleRUSKIN RDPARK LANESTANLEY PARK ROADB278NORTH STMitchamJunctionCarshaltonA2022PB237HIGH STLONDON ROADCROYDONROADMANOR ROADWOODMANSTERNEWOODCOTE ROADLANEB272Beddington Zero EnergyHousing DevelopmentHackbridgeBeddingtonLaneCarshaltonLITTLE WOODCOTE LANE++PBEDDINGTONPolice+Wallington StnClockhouseR. WandleA237LANESTAFFORD ROAD B271FORESTERS DRIVETo Coulsdon & A22A236TherapiaLaneTo CroydonBeddingtonWallingtonPLOUGH LANEB272Tramlinkto CroydonA232To Croydon& A23To WestCroydonTo A23Well-connectedSutton centre is Zone 5, less than 30minutes by train from central London andeasily accessible by public transport tothe south and west of London, includingVictoria, Clapham Junction, London Bridge,Croydon, Wimbledon, and Kingston-upon-Thames. Sutton also has easy access toEurope via St Pancras International, Gatwickwhich is less than 15 miles away and theX26 travelling towards Heathrow.An extensive bus and tramline networkserves the Borough. There is excellentparking in three safe multi-story car parks inSutton town centre.TOHEATHROWRICHMOND UPONTHAMESKINGSTONEPSOM ANDEWELLMERTONVICTORIACLAPHAMSUTTONLAMBETHLONDONBRIDGECROYDONCITYBROMLEY2GATWICKMap not to scale

Why choose Sutton?Sutton is a great place to live anda great place to invest. It is home to200,000 residents and boasts a range ofeconomic, educational, businessand environmental success factors.View from Trinity SquareHigh quality housingSutton has plenty of high-quality housing,relatively affordable by London standards(average price £244,620 in Feb 2012). Over84% of Sutton housing is owner-occupied orprivate rented, higher than the rest of SouthLondon and London as a whole.High Street Spring CleanDesignated development sitesSutton has a significant number ofdesignated development sites, providingopportunities that are not present insurrounding boroughs.A safe boroughSutton is the third safest borough in Londonand crime is lower than it has been for adecade.Outstanding green spacesThe Borough is also known for itsoutstanding green spaces. Sutton boasts1,500 acres of open space and the largestregional park outside of London, and is aleader in environmental performance. Arecent MORI survey revealed that 75% ofour residents regularly use Sutton’s parks,with 89% expressing satisfaction with them.Carshalton ParkVillage feelSutton is famous for its small districtcentres, many of them retaining a ‘village’atmosphere not seen in central London.Taylor Wimpey’s Centrale development, Hackbridge3

Skilled workforceSutton has a skilled workforce with almostone third of employees with a degree levelqualification or higher.Worcester ParkMultiple district centresAs well as Sutton Town Centre, the Boroughhas seven district centres which contributeto the vitality and prosperity of the Borough.Sutton Rail StationGood transport linksSutton’s south London location positions itperfectly for transport in and out of Londonand internationally. There are direct rail linksinto the capital and on to Europe, with fasttrains to both Victoria and London Bridge.Gatwick airport is just 15 miles away.Brandon Conrad, Sheesh Mangal, Worcester ParkVibrant business sectorThe Borough is enterprising andcommercially active with more than 6,600businesses. In 2011, 13.2% new businessesstarted up in Sutton compared to theprevious year.Sutton Grammar School at Manor ParkHigh achieving schoolsThe Borough is renowned for its highachievingschools with the latest leaguetables showing our pupils’ achievements atGCSE as one of the best in the country.Chancery House, Sutton Town CentreTech-readyMuch of Sutton is already equipped toconnect with national and internationalmarkets with super-fast broadband capacity.Manor ParkHackbridge Station1 Throwley Way4

Sutton’s Priorities for GrowthSutton’s priorities represent the strategicdrivers that will accelerate recovery,nurture sustainable development andbuild a more resilient and adaptableeconomy for everyone in Sutton.The national context - harnessingnational policy changesWe are writing at a time when the UK economyhas shrunk and growth is stalled for theforeseeable future. Businesses of all typeshave suffered across the UK – empty shopunits; struggling restaurants and other servicebusinesses; and rising unemployment, particularlyin the vulnerable 16-24 age group. It is a toughtime to start a business – and an equally toughtime to keep one going.Since the 2010 general election, the Governmenthas sought to create the conditions for the privatesector to lead national economic recovery, whileat the same time incentivising local government topromote growth through physical expansion andencouraging communities and social enterprisesto take responsibility for delivering services.Initiatives include:Localism, decentralisation and the Big Society –empowering local authorities and communities toshape their local area and services.Open government services, commissioning andprocurement – promoting opportunities for localSMEs, social enterprises and communities to bidfor public service delivery.Sutton and the recession:bucking the trend!Sutton has avoided many of the worst effects ofthe recession and is well positioned for growth.EmploymentSutton has 78% of its residents in work – thehighest in London. Unemployment is 2% pointslower than the London average. Sutton residentswork in a wide range of occupations – mostpeople work in administration, health, educationand financial services with construction,manufacturing and transport all well represented.The GLA predict that Sutton will create anadditional 15% of jobs by 2026.RetailHigh-quality businesses like Patisserie Valeriehave chosen to locate in Sutton – and somebig national multiples have renewed theircommitment. Footfall in Sutton town centre hasfallen slightly but big events in the high street canattract 25,000 people in a single day.Business and IndustryNew business start-ups have grown rapidlycompared with the previous year. Strong demandcontinues for industrial land with good access tothe A217.Themes for GrowthThe three themes are firmly interlinked andmutually create the whole Sutton Offer.Together they will help achieve our vision.ProsperityNew ways to develop business, encourageinvestment and create opportunities forenterprising local people.PeopleEnabling all our residents to share in thegrowth by aligning training, skills andapprenticeships to employment andbusiness opportunities.PlaceMarketing our development opportunitiesand innovative use of neighbourhoodplanning to unlock the potential of each areaof the borough.10New planning policy framework – a simplifiedapproach to development planning with acommitment to sustainable development.New funding opportunities for local authoritiessuch as reduced business rates for start-ups,Community Infrastructure Levy, Tax IncrementFinancing and the Growing Places Fund.Protecting local high streets – Governmentsupport for implementing its “town centres first”approach.5

1 23456 71 Carshalton Park2 Patisserie Valerie3 Life Centre4 Market stall5 Beddington Pond6 Sutton Town Centre7 Sutton Town Centre8 Sutton Town Centre9 Trinity Square10 Green Wall, Wilkinson896

Prosperity – helping businesses succeedBusinesses are the lifeblood of theeconomy – and we are convinced thatsustainable prosperity is all about helpinglocal business succeed.Sutton wants to ‘get the basicsright’ for economic growth acrossthe borough by providing the rightsupport for businesses of all sizes,from entrepreneurial start-ups, to SMEsand large corporates. We need totake particular account of the microbusinessesemploying four people orless, which form a large proportion ofSutton’s current business base.We can do this by creating abusiness network bringing our smallerbusinesses together so that they canshare good practice and combinetheir resources for their shared benefit.We are also committed to stimulatingsocial enterprises in the borough andsupporting them to provide valuablelocal services.Paul Curtis, Sutton SuperBowl7

Our Agenda for ActionAttracting inward investmentWe will hold an Opportunity Sutton InwardInvestment Event in June 2012 to promotecommercial development sites across theborough for investors, businesses and agents tosee firsthand why Sutton is the place for business.We will maintain a Business Property Databasefor inward investors and a property service forexisting local firms looking to expand.We will establish a new Economic RenewalUnit to attract inward investment and promotebusiness investment through sound planning andsupport services.Helping new businesses start and growWe will create our first Business Start-up andIncubation Centre in North Cheam in partnershipwith SCOLA – providing advice, support,networking and guidance.We will facilitate a Smarter BusinessDevelopment Event jointly with Sutton Chamberof Commerce in September 2012, to helpenterprising people about to start a business.We will develop a Business Start-Up Pack for allnew businesses, updating them on the supportavailable from the council and partners.We will consider Reduced Business Rates forstart-ups, using new council powers to makesure Sutton remains an attractive place for newbusinesses.We will promote a new Business MentoringScheme to nurture small businesses.Making businesses more competitiveWe will support the Successful Suttoncampaign for a Business Improvement District(BID) for the town centre, to improve its look, feeland safety and to improve business performance.We will develop a Green Enterprise Partnershipto boost the green economy in Sutton –promoting energy efficient buildings; attractingbusinesses working in sustainability and greentechnologies; and creating green jobs andapprenticeships.We will use the Green Deal framework togenerate business opportunities in energyassessment and installation.We will form a Business Board to provide a‘voice of business’ in the borough, as a forum forthe private and third sectors to discuss enterprise,innovation, growth, skills and jobs.We will promote National Market Day bycutting the red tape and encouraging Sutton’sentrepreneurs to pitch up and sell their waresunhindered by unnecessary bureaucracy.Council innovations supportingprosperityWe will set up Town Teams for our key districtcentres to provide a strong, visionary andoperational approach to our high streets in linewith Mary Portas’ recommendations.We will exploit the Government’s new policies foreconomic growth by considering new fundingmechanisms – including business rate retention,Tax Increment Financing, New Homes Bonus andother infrastructure pots.We will draw on experiences from shapingthe local social care market, to adopt acommissioning approach to support andstimulate a mixed economy of localentrepreneurial and good value providers.We will also assist local small businesses andsocial enterprises to tender for council servicesthrough a new 2012 Corporate ProcurementStrategy.Left: Simon Warrender, S. Warrender & Co.Right: Hackbridge8

People – helping residents get the jobs they wantWe want any future growth to be sharedby everyone in the Borough, which meansgetting more Sutton residents back intowork: younger people and peoplewith disabilities into effectiveapprenticeships and placements.Sutton has historically experiencedhigh levels of employment thanks to itsskilled workforce and great location.The recession has seen the number ofpeople claiming Jobseeker’s Allowanceincrease and rising levels of long-termunemployment.Young people have been particularlyhard hit by the recession and aremissing out on their first jobs. Sutton’spartnership-working is renowned andthe council is well placed to take a moreproactive role in aligning employers,skills providers and individual learnerdemand.We are determined to match local skillsprovision with the employment marketto help residents get the jobs they want.Mislav Kapetanovic, VinBin, Worcester Park9

Our Agenda for ActionNew approaches to employmentsupportWe will build on the success of the SuttonHousing Partnership which has created a numberof effective employment schemes such as“Apprenticeship Scheme”, “Building LivesAcademy” and “Women in Construction”.We will work more closely with our primecontractors in the government’s Work Programmeto ensure our employment opportunities targetthe long-term unemployed.Getting young people into quality jobsWe will draw up a Youth Employment Plan, tobe led and delivered by a Sutton EmploymentNetwork drawn widely from all sectors andadvised by 16-24 year olds themselves.We will ensure that all 16-24 year olds have aPersonal Learning and Development Plan.We will ensure that providers offer consistentinformation, advice and guidance to young peopleand offer education and training that matchesjob opportunities.We will work with local employers to increaseeffective apprenticeships and work placeinitiatives such as work trials.We will create more job placements for youngpeople by building better links between educationproviders and business leaders.Council innovations to get peopleinto jobsWe will build on the Council’s ownApprenticeship Scheme which has alreadyprovided 80 job opportunities for young people.We will promote routes into employment forpeople with disabilities through our successfulRoutes to Work initiative.We will actively promote and support the Council’sProcurement Pledge, which is a commitmentby local suppliers to create jobs and trainingopportunities through the Council’s supplychain – with a special focus on stimulating socialenterprises.We will use the newly commissioned employmentland study to match new commercialdevelopments to local employment needs.Left: Bob Law and staff, TaZza CoffeeRight: Student at SCOLA10

Place – unlocking development potentialEconomies grow in places – town centres,industrial sites, business parks and localneighbourhoods - and Sutton’s placeshave huge potential for sustainabledevelopment.Sutton is a brilliant place to work, live,do business and enjoy green openspace and our residents regularlymake their satisfaction known. But wewant more, we need a healthy supplyof modern office space, opportunitiesfor retail and leisure, thriving industrialestates and vibrant local andsustainable communities.Our business locations need the rightinfrastructure investment to meetcurrent and future needs. There areseveral underused and vacant sitesand properties in the Borough. These‘stalled’ development sites need tocome forward with deliverable projectsfor productive commercial use. Inaddition, our district centres need moreTLC if they are to become attractive,vibrant, cultural hubs which canstimulate economic growth in the retailand hospitality sector. The attraction ofinward investment and the generationof opportunities for growth are greatlysupported by the effective developmentof the physical assets of the Borough.Sutherland House ready for development11

Our Agenda for ActionDevelopment of opportunity sites andlocal regenerationWe will make use of the resources set to becomeavailable under the reform of the Housing ReviewAccount and the governments new Rights to Buypolicy to deliver a significant programme of newlocal authority homes for rent.We will actively promote the ‘Sutton Offer’ sitesto potential developers through the OpportunitySutton Inward Investment Event and the“Sitematch” website.We will use new funding to carry out major publicrealm and shop front improvements in NorthCheam and Worcester Park, alongside a newlocal business network and the creation of newvibrant areas for the community.We will draw up plans to regenerate the WandleValley Regional Park which is identified in theMayor’s London Plan. This network of greeninfrastructure will reach out from the river corridorto adjacent areas of open space, residential andbusiness areas.We will seek London-wide funding for theRegional Park.Transport and infrastructureWe will lobby TfL for the extension of theCroydon Tramlink Network to Sutton TownCentre, building on the very strong business casewith funding targeted for 2018.We will work with BT to roll out superfastbroadband across all our district centres toensure that firms are connected to markets andsupply chains – wherever these may be.We will review the Sutton parking offer toexplore inventive ways of encouraging moreshoppers into our town and district centres.Council Innovations for improving placeWe will produce a community-endorsedNeighbourhood Plan for Hackbridge by theend of 2012 – and we will roll out a programmeof support for Neighbourhood Plans across theborough to empower communities to shape thegrowth and development of their areas.We will exploit a range of funding tools nowavailable to the Council – including CommunityInfrastructure Levy (CIL) which is a flexible tariff onall new development; Outer London Funds (OLF)and Growing Places Fund.We will provide leadership by using our newpowers and existing economic assets ininnovative ways to help bring about improvementsin place across the borough.We will promote Sutton as a visitor destinationthrough our heritage sites and historic attractions.Sustainability and One Planet LivingWe will continue to adhere to the ten principlesof One Planet Living framework to help uslive and work within our fair share of the earth’sresources. OPL is a simple way to plan, deliverand mainstream sustainable development and thegreen economy.We will build on Sutton’s “jewel in the crown” –the unique Hackbridge Sustainable Suburb.We will secure 1,500 new homes of the highestenvironmental standards; the first wave of greeneconomy business support and public realminvestment; and a Decentralised Energy & HeatNetwork.Left: Ten principles of One Planet Living frameworkRight: BedZED, Hackbridge1 Zero carbon2 Zero waste3 Sustainable transport4 Sustainable materials5 Local and sustainable food6 Sustainable water7 Land use and wildlife8 Culture and community9 Equity and local economy10 Health and happiness12

Delivering the VisionSutton Council is determined to createthe right conditions for a prosperous,enterprising and sustainable future.The ‘Opportunity Sutton’ vision isbuilt upon an integrated and mutuallysupporting set of priorities: Prosperity,People and Place, which we will promoteand drive forward with our partners overthe next three years.Ruth Dombey, Leader of the Council“Sutton is an excellent place to live. Now weare promoting Sutton as an excellent placeto do business, and we are actively seekingnew investment. Opportunity Sutton is ouragenda for action, driving a programme ofactivities with our partners in each of our keyareas of Prosperity, People and Places.”This Statement, a powerful mix of policyand ambition, is the first bold step todemonstrate our commitment and intentionsfor growth. We are aware growth will nothappen spontaneously and that we needto work hard to ensure it happens. ThisStatement is a strong, deliverable plan tocreate real growth within the Borough.The measures outlined form a new approachto ensure the successful Sutton of thefuture. They exploit new powers given to theCouncil, residents and businesses to createfresh opportunities and shape their ownneighbourhoods.We are evolving our approach tocommissioning and procurement to make itwithin reach of small businesses and socialenterprises that can also provide effectiveand valuable services.We will provide leadership across allsectors in delivering our aspirations for OnePlanet Living, Opportunity Sutton InwardInvestment, the Sutton Youth EmploymentPlan and the growth of social enterprisesthroughout the Borough.We will restructure our staff resources toensure our teams are aligned fully with theaims and aspirations of the vision – theEconomic Development Unit deliveringinward investment and the Town Teamsproviding a strategic and managementstructure for local delivery. To make sure thatwe deliver our aspirations we have a detailedaction plan with targets and time scales.Why this Statement?Sutton recognises that despite our intrinsicstrengths, the global recession and poornational economic growth have impactedlocally on the borough, creating new socialand economic challenges. Sutton wantsto confront these challenges and thisStatement’s objective is to achieve strong,sustainable, shared solutions at a local level.Sutton is a good place to do business.Building on our rich heritage as an innovativeborough, we have the right environmentto help entrepreneurs make a healthyreturn on their investment. Already oneof the best places in London to live, workand do business, Sutton is culturally andeconomically vibrant. It has an impressivebusiness base, a skilled workforce, thrivingtown and district centres, land fit fordevelopment and an economic renewalteam committed to ensuring the boroughexploits its many opportunities. These arethe levers for growth.Sutton is one of only four MetropolitanCentres in south London and the eighthlargest centre in the capital. However, weneed to step up a gear and become moredynamic to compete with our neighbouringcentres. Sutton needs a strong, ambitiousplan to actively release its opportunities forgrowth.This Statement is a manifesto and ourcommitment to economic growth in theborough with a vision for sustainable growthfrom which everyone can benefit.1 St Nicholas Shopping Centre2 All Bar One3 Phoenix Centre, Wallington4 French Market stall5 Cheam Park6 SCOLA – Sutton College of Learning for Adults7 Felnex Trading Estate, Hackbridge8 Sutton Rail Station9 Worcester Park13

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For further informationabout Opportunity Suttonand to get involved, please contactAmanda CherringtonHead of Economic Renewal and BusinessEnvironmentAmanda.Cherrington@sutton.gov.uk0208 770 5530Sally BlomfieldPrincipal PlannerSally.Blomfield@sutton.gov.uk0208 770 6253Kirsty AllenBusiness Enterprise ManagerKirsty.Allen@sutton.gov.uk0208 770 5987Sutton Borough CouncilCivic OfficesSt Nicholas WaySutton SM1 1EAPhotographySutton Film OfficeMickey Lee / The Meanswww.sutton.gov.ukFront cover images (left to right)Quadrant House, Sutton Town CentreBeddington Zero Energy Development, Hackbridge Sustainabe SuburbCheam ParkPrinted on 100% Recycled Paper