11. Ensure SBC procurement processes are open and
accessible to local and small businesses.
12. Maintain strong relationships between the Council
and other agencies and existing businesses of
strategic impact.
13. In partnership with other agencies, establish a team
to welcome and support inward investment inquiries.
Measures of success
1. Greater number of business start ups and survival rates.
2. Companies reinvesting in the town.
3. New investments in the town.
4. Strategic clusters and supply chains amongst key
growth sectors.
PRIORITY 3 - PHYSICAL AND TRANSPORT
INFRASTRUCTURE
Aim
By 2028, Slough will be an accessible location, competitive
on the world stage and a transport hub for road, rail and air.
It will provide quality commercial, leisure and residential
facilities that will attract investment from all over the globe.
Issues
The focus of Crossrail is on central London, but its
completion will bring benefits for rail travellers from Thames
Valley Berkshire to the capital, and will require co-ordination
with our aspirations for Western Rail Access to Heathrow
(WRAtH). We seek to ensure that these improvements can
be achieved without detriment to existing services.
Superfast broadband will be available to all businesses and
residents alike but is this enough to provide for business
needs and create economic growth?
Economic growth brought by increased infrastructure will
require associated development to support it for sustained
success including housing and schools. Can Slough provide
for this?
Slough has no Higher Education institution in the town
which limits knowledge economy developments or links
with research in the companies based in the town.
Actions
1. Continue working closely with the Department for
Transport and aviation authorities to mitigate the
negative impacts of Heathrow on Slough’s
communities e.g. through congestion, noise disruption,
air pollution etc.
2. Adopt a pragmatic approach to future expansion of
capacity at Heathrow airport, believing that given the
choice, expansion of Heathrow in any form is
preferable to closure.
3. Work closely with Thames Valley Berkshire Local
Enterprise Partnership (TVB LEP) transport forum to
ensure wider transport issues are addressed which
continually enhance Slough’s communications and
transport infrastructure.
4. Prepare for the impact of Crossrail and WRAtH and
maximise its benefits to create growth in the town
5. Continue to push for WRAtH to be delivered on the
earliest possible date.
6. Ensure all developments completed as part of the
Slough Regeneration Partnership are fit for purpose
and provide facilities that will support business growth.
7. Develop a Smart City programme for the town.
8. Agree a political direction to support new economic
growth and sustain existing economy, including
housing, schools and that implicit in other SBC
Strategies.
9. To work with Slough businesses (including SEGRO)
to use these strengths to deliver smart economic
growth and local employment, i.e. in ways that mitigate
or minimise impact on the transport network, and
share understanding of the potentially negative impacts
of growth.
Measures of Success
1. Smart City status.
2. 4G hubs in the town accessible to all.
3. A Higher Education Institution with strong links to local
business.
4. Transport Infrastructure fit for purpose.
5. Assets that are profitable and adding value to the town.
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