STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners

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STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 - 2019
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword from our Chair                                                 3
The purpose of the Statement of Intent                                  5
Governance                                                              5
Our vision and mission                                                  5
Our goals and principles                                                6
Key strategic priorities                                                7
Business as usual                                                       8
Project progress                                                        9

Performance measures                                                    10

Reporting to shareholders                                               11

                    Innovation Quarter | 179 Saint Hill Street, Whanganui

    Whanganui & Partners                 Statement of Intent 2018 /19        Page | 2
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
FOREWORD FROM OUR CHAIR

This Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out the Whanganui & Partners (W&P) strategic framework,
activities and performance measures for the next financial year.

Through the Letter of Expectation, Whanganui District Council outlines their expectations for
W&P to lead, drive and facilitate economic growth for the district. W&P specific activities are
expressed through this SOI.

W&P is committed to retaining, growing and attracting people and business to Whanganui
for the betterment of the community. Our vision is for Whanganui to be vibrant, prosperous
and rich with opportunities.

W&P will implement and deliver programmes, both new and existing, to secure the
successful future of the district. The Board and the team at W&P are pleased to submit this
Statement of Intent 2018/2019 as we look to build on past success and continue our work to
deliver a better future for the Whanganui district.

Myles Fothergill
Chair
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
“OUR VISION IS FOR WHANGANUI TO BE
   VIBRANT, PROSPEROUS AND RICH WITH
   OPPORTUNITY”

Whanganui & Partners      Statement of Intent 2018/2019   Page | 4
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
1. Purpose of Statement of Intent

In accordance with the Local Government Act 2002, this annual Statement of Intent (SOI)
publicly states the activities and intentions of W&P for 2018/2019, and the objectives that these
activities will focus on. This SOI takes shareholder comments into consideration and includes
performance measures and targets as the basis of organisational accountability. Information
contained in this statement shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 8, LGA 2002.

Through the WDC Economic Development Strategy, the council has articulated an expectation
that W&P will use its resources to lead, drive and facilitate the economic growth of the district.
W&P specific activities are expressed through this SOI.

2. Governance
The Board governs the activities of W&P in accordance with the Whanganui District Council CCO
Governance Manual.

3. Our Vision and Mission

Whanganui: vibrant, prosperous and rich with opportunity

W&P has been created to lead and drive the districts economic growth. By bringing town and
country together, our citizens and visitors are able to share in a wide range of opportunities and
experiences.

From the Awa to the sea, Whanganui has much to offer and our aim is to build pride by
supporting events and growth within the district and share this with visitors and those who are
considering, or making the move to Whanganui.

Lead and drive richness and opportunity through education, lifestyle and commerce

By identifying key pillars of influence, W&P can make a genuine difference to the community.

Each has a broad focus including the retention of existing successes, while working
towards growth and ensuring Whanganui is an attractive location to live, study and do business.

Richness of lifestyle and prosperity for the district are not only linked to economic outcomes,
although these will be a focus, especially for business. It will also include maintaining/supporting
the vast range of events and experiences that make living in the Whanganui district a positive and
fulfilling lifestyle. We will also work cooperatively with other agencies both inside the district and
regionally to benefit Whanganui.

Whanganui & Partners                       Statement of Intent 2018/2019                                 Page | 5
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
4. Our Goals and Principles

 Retain, grow, attract
 In order to maintain focus, these goals will inform our decision making, be it business, education,
 marketing of our destination or using innovation and communication.

 Partnership | Transformation | Innovation | Communication | Focus

 Using these principles we will strive to find the best methods to achieve our strategic outcomes.
 W&P are committed to the ongoing success of the district and will focus on measurable outcomes
 that lead and drive the growth of our community. We will work cooperatively with all those
 committed to the same outcomes, and apply the WDC culture and values to deliver on expectations.

RETAIN           Industry and employment opportunities
                 Existing businesses

                 Our usually resident population

                 Our points of difference

GROW              Identify and develop key projects that will have a significant impact on the
                  growth of the district
                  Focus to ensure ‘runs on the Board’

                  Add value to existing and new opportunities

                  Education and training offerings and capability

 ATTRACT           More businesses

                   New permanent residents

                   More visitors to the district

                   Events and conferences

                   More students to study in Whanganui

Whanganui & Partners                           Statement of Intent 2018/2019                           Page | 6
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
5. Key Strategic Priorities

 Created to assist the district and its residents with continued
 growth and development, the key areas of focus are Business,
 Education, and Destination Marketing using Innovation and
 Communications to drive success.

   Key Projects
   1. Business                   Whanganui & Partners will focus on business retention and succession planning, growth
                                 and attraction to seek the best possible outcomes from all projects, including the Port.

   2. Education and training     Working with both current providers and external options to identify opportunities to grow
                                 the capacity of current educational offerings and training.

                                 Consider the potential to become a regional or national hub for specific training options.

                                 Continue to work with industry, Industry Training Organization's and/or specific companies
                                 to identify needs, and if appropriate partner with a Private Training Enterprise to increase
                                 capacity for training in Whanganui.

   3. Destination/Marketing      Whanganui has a well-known river which also has its own personhood status. Work with
                                 current and potential providers to develop the focus from a city on a river to a river city.

                                 Research and identify best examples and, in conjunction with others with a similar focus,
                                 complete case studies for opportunities to improve the districts river focus.
   4. Tourism                    Grow the potential for visitors to come to Whanganui and stay longer. Includes increased
                                 sector engagement, development of commissionable products, continued development of
                                 regional partnerships.

                                 Expand our focus to include international visitors, including for conferences and events.

                                 Research possibilities to secure a four star hotel in Whanganui.
   5. Rural Enterprise Project   Continue to develop this project, building on fledgling partnerships and planning already
                                 underway. Aim is to identify opportunities for new horticulture offerings plus value-add
                                 opportunities for existing producers.

                                                                Supporting economic prosperity and
                                                                opportunities through education, lifestyle and
                                                                commerce, we aim to grow the district by
                                                                bringing new residents while keeping those who
                                                                enjoy our unique way of life.

Whanganui & Partners                              Statement of Intent 2018/2019                                           Page | 7
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
6. Business as Usual

 With a full complement of staff in 2018, W&P has been able to build a highly committed and focused
 team that is working together to build on the current wave of positivity present in Whanganui.
 Each Strategic Lead (SL) has identified projects designed to take the district to the next level including:

 Business
1.     Gain a better understanding how we can help existing business via “boots on the ground” survey

2.      Design a range of collateral to appeal to all those involved in moving a business to Whanganui,
        including CEO’s, management, staff and families

3.      Develop a process to support business idea walk-ins, including partnering with existing support
        networks
4.      Investigate viability of mapping for business with financial and economic information

5.      Pop Up Business School, continue follow up work to measure success and ROI and present a case
        to continue if effective

 Education
 1.   Continue to support and expand the pathways to work projects

 2.     Expand knowledge of local education providers, especially in relation to International Students
        and NZ domestic students

 3.     Identify opportunities to develop education for industry in partnership with SL Business

 Destination Marketing

 1.    Build the profile of the W&P customer facing brand (All you need and then some) via a new
       centralised website. This innovative new site will support a visitor, business and student friendly
       approach
 2.    Create a communications plan that uses the new central portal to share W&P news to ensure all
        stake-holders can see progress and feel engaged - and offer input, share ideas

 3.     Be the link to all SL’s areas of focus, using their content (written, photos, video, newsletters) to
        promote Whanganui via signage, social media, mainstream media, marketing campaigns and more

 4.     Conferences and events—continue to promote Whanganui as a destination for both. Support the
        development of a new event funding application and reporting focus to ensure a fair return on
        investment to ratepayers for all events

 5.    Mapping for Destination Marketing including identifying overlays for various aspects of
       Whanganui onto city and district maps

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STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
7. Project progress - 2017/2018 Statement of Intent

     Key Projects                                         Description

1. Business Capability and Both have become part of business as usual (BAU) and supported by a range
One More Job               of projects that will continue to be rolled out this year.                      

2. Whanganui Special     The Business Friendly group now meet regularly to assist and guide new and
Economic Zone            existing business with growth and relocation opportunities. This is a very        
                         successful partnership with relevant WDC departments including planning,
                         infrastructure, and property.
                         W&P continues to support the Town Centre Revitalisation project and
                         advocate with Council (officers and elected officials) to assist with land use
                         and infrastructure access for business.

3. Regional Economic     With a new government and approach to regional funding W&P is meeting             
Development Summit       with MBIE and others to identify the best ways to grow the region.

4. Innovation Quarter Now open and shared with Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
                          Te Mana Atatū (TMA) and 100% SWEET. First successful shared project, the         
                          Pop Up Business School was funded by TMA and hosted by W&P and
                          Council.
5. Mobile Whanganui Has been updated to a more targeted approach of attending and hosting                  ×
                          events that promote Whanganui directly or in partnership with our
                          neighbours.
6. Yellow digital project Constant change in the digital arena has seen this project shelved. Discussion
                                                                                                           ×
                          with central government around the challenges of moving a community to
                          100% digital access continue and ongoing collaboration is underway.

7. Te Pae Tawhiti/       Changes in government, funding for the port and rail and the Provincial
Accelerate 25            Growth fund have taken some focus away from this. W & P is reviewing              
                         opportunities under Accelerate 25.

8. Skills for Industry   WDETT are managing 100% SWEET in conjunction with our Strategic Lead
                         Education and Youth. They have appointed staff to ensure that connections
                         are made with all school leavers each year. Some will complete the Word           
                         Ready Passport, and have the opportunity to work with industry.

                         Pathways to work continue to be a focus and we have identified a need for
                         further post high school training opportunities. These are being explored with
                         local and external providers with the goal of making Whanganui a hub for
                         industry relevant training and education.
9. Whanganui             Further work needs to be done to identify needs before fundraising begins.
Development Fund         Strategic Lead Business is progressing a project that will combine surveys        
                         with “boots on the ground” to establish the needs of local business;
                         especially identifying those that need assistance with succession or growth
                         planning. Once needs are established, all funding options including local
                         investors and/or central government will be considered.

10. Gap Analysis         Ongoing. This is a continuous process that is being addressed by all our
                         Strategic Leads and the General Manager. Work continues in areas of               
                         improved communications, innovation to drive change and re-engagement
                         with stakeholders to ensure a relevant and appropriate approach to growth.

Whanganui & Partners                            Statement of Intent 2018/2019                                  Page | 9
STATEMENT OF INTENT | 2018 2019 - Whanganui And Partners
8. Performance Measures

It is expected that the combination of business as usual and new strategic priorities will support retention, while driving growth
and attraction.

 Business
 1.     Increase in total number of available jobs
 2.     Number of net businesses established in the region is increased
 3.     Majority of businesses are satisfied with their relationship with W&P

 Education
 1.     Increase total funding for the education sector
 2.     Maintain/increase the number of students registered in tertiary/trades training
 3.     Increase the number of students choosing Whanganui as a study destination

 Destination/Marketing
 1.     Number of visitors to Whanganui tracking in line with national trends
 2.     Whanganui will have the same growth rate of tourism spend as the NZ average
 3.     Increase in positive media locally and nationally

Whanganui & Partners                               Statement of Intent 2018/2019                                         Page | 10
9. Reporting to shareholders

 The Board reports on the activities and progress of W&P in accordance with the Whanganui District
 Council CCO governance manual. This includes a comprehensive bi-monthly written and verbal report.

Whanganui & Partners                     Statement of Intent 2018/2019                          Page | 11
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