SAGB CONFERENCE May 2012

1. www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk
North Norfolk FLAG
Making things happen
Robin Smith
The Shellfish Association of Great Britain’s
43rd Annual Conference
Fishmongers’ Hall, London
22 – 23 May 2012

2. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Presentation
• Setting the scene
• Snapshot of North Norfolk
• Rural context
• Coastal context
• Fishing industry context
• FLAG Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

3. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Why get involved!
A Local Government Perspective
• Local authorities are among the most powerful economic agents in their
areas, shaping economic health as employers and purchasers and through
local leadership and economic development activities.
• Experience strongly demonstrates that without action at the local level,
coastal areas will continue to lag behind other parts of the country.
• Local authorities can make a difference strategically through combining
and sharing local resources in a targeted way with other strategic partners.
• Over the last ten years this Council has championed the cause for
collaboration and partnership and has sought to develop a cohesive
approach to economic development.
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

4. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
The Bigger Picture
• Low rates of economic activity
• Low rates of pay
• Narrow economic base
• Seasonality of employment
• Limited local spending capacity
• Migration of young people
• Unaffordable housing
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

5. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Proximity
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

6. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Place
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

7. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Snapshot
• North Norfolk is the most rural district in the East of England.
• North Norfolk is a large rural area of some 87,040 hectares (340 square
miles).
• The District has 73 km (45 miles) of North Sea coastline between Holkham
in the west and Horsey in the south-east.
• The District has an estimated resident population of 101,000.
• There are approximately 5,900 businesses in the District of which 90%
employ less than 10 people.
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

8. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Rural Context
• Peripheral Location – The District is located a long way from other significant
economic centres in the South East.
• Narrow Economic Base – Much of the district has high dependence on sectors
which are forecasted to perform poorly.
• Low Wage Economy & Seasonal Trends – This is particularly apparent in the
coastal resort towns and related to low value added businesses.
• Low Skills Base – Education and skills levels are below that of many other areas of
the country.
• Lack of Affordable Housing and high property values act as a disincentive to those
wishing to relocate to the area for jobs.
• Older People – By 2033 North Norfolk is projected to have the largest population
of over 65s.
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

9. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Resilience
Resilience is a concept used to describe the ability to respond to shocks in the external environment
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

10. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Opportunity or Threat
North Norfolk maritime area is
becoming one of the most important
investor development areas in the
East of England.
• Raising the aspirations of our
young people
• Encouraging Jobs & prospects
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

11. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Coastal Context - Human
• Offshore oil and gas production
• Offshore renewable energy (wind)
• Extraction of sand and gravel
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
• Marine conservation zones
• Recreation and tourism
• Infrastructure (lack of)
• EU & national legislation (eg quota levels)
• UK Government budget deficit solution package
• Aquaculture (mussel beds etc)
• Coastal defence infrastructures etc – reduced funding
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

12. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Coastal Context - Nature
• Climate change
• Fish stock levels
• Coastal erosion
• Flooding
• Impacts on sensitive environments
– AONB
– SSSI/SAC/EU designated areas
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

13. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

14. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Fishing Industry Context
• Gradual reduction in long standing fishing families.
• General impact of policy and legislation.
• Lack of industry cohesion and communication.
• High fuel prices and other overheads.
• Lack of youngsters entering the industry.
• Offshore wind farms – developing cable and pipe line
routes.
• No structured apprenticeship scheme.
• Increased recreational activities.
• Coastal erosion and associated blight.
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

15. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Programme Management
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

16. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Activity
Fisheries
Sector Group
North Norfolk
FLAG
Fisheries & Com m unities Engagem ent Program m e
Markets & Skills
Competitiveness Investment Development
Axis 4 Axis 4 Axis 3
Infrastructure Environment Sustainability
Axis 4 Axis 4 Axis 4
Broadband: Com m unications & Connectivity Program m e
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

17. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

18. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Fisheries & Communities Engagement Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

19. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Competitiveness Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

20. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Markets & Investment Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

21. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Skills Development Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

22. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Infrastructure Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

23. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Environment Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

24. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Sustainability Summary Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

25. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
Broadband: Communications & Connectivity Programme
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk

26. North Norfolk
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG)
It with grateful thanks to the following supporting Organisations:-
• Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
• Coastal community representatives
• Crown Estate
• District Council representatives
• Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council
• Independent fishermen
• Marine Management Organisation
• Norfolk Coastal Partnership
• North Norfolk Business Forum (Project Manager)
• North Norfolk District Council ( Accountable Body)
• Representatives of fishing industry associations
• Representatives of small processors
• Scira
• Seafish
www.northnorfolkflag.org.uk