Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council met with private sector businesses including IM Properties, Commercial Estates Group, Strata Living, Charles Street Buildings Group and Hickman and Smith in the first of a series of collaborative round table events.
At the first session, held at Space Park Leicester, partners identified marketing the place, unlocking growth, meeting housing demand, achieving net zero and planning to support growth as key priorities to progress that will support investment and sustainable growth across the city and county.
The aim of the round tables is to focus on specific topics impacting growth and inward investment in Leicester and Leicestershire, and discuss how the public and private sector can work together to reflect on successes and constructively challenge issues, leading to positive outcomes for businesses and residents in the city and county.
Richard Sword, Strategic Director for City Development at Leicester City Council, said: “It’s critical that communication lines are open between the council and our partners in the property industry. The City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby has delivered significant regeneration in the city over recent years with more large-scale regeneration planned in the future.
“We can only realise the city’s ambitions with the help and support from our partners. It was an insightful first round table session, discussing some meaningful issues on key topics, alongside some meaningful industry insights around the challenges faced in our region.”
Tom Purnell, Assistant Chief Executive at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We have ambitious growth plans, and we know that partners are key to shaping and delivering our vision.
“Thanks to the hard work and collaborative relationships between our public and private sectors, Leicester and Leicestershire offer new houses, excellent transport links and skilled people that attract some of the biggest global brands.”
A further four round tables are due to be held in the coming 12 months in the city and county’s drive to continue their partnership working with the private sector.