A new report on how 1,780 full-time jobs can be created by 2023 – and 2,150 jobs by 2030 – was launched at The Riverside Centre on Friday (21st July).
The report, written by Jonanthan Essex and Peter Sims of the Green House Think Tank and sponsored by the Green European Foundation, was presented to an audience of local politicians, local government officers, business and voluntary sector leaders and local people.
Green Party Councillor Michael Lilley hosted the event with key speakers including Bob Seely MP, Councillor Wayne Whittle (Cabinet Member for Regeneration), Chris Ashman (Regeneration Director of Isle of Wight Council) and Michael Bulpitt (Chief Executive of Isle of Wight Community Action).
Cllr Michael Lilley (Ryde East) who wrote the foreword to the report states:
“As a local Ward Councillor in Ryde, I am very aware that there is a real need for well-paid and sustainable jobs for local residents especially the next generation.
“I have spent over 40 years of my working life supporting people who experience isolation and poverty due to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. There is clear evidence that a valued good secure job does improve mental well-being.
“The Isle of Wight has two very important commodities, one a Green environment and a history of engineering, which lends itself to Green job creation. This report feeds into the on-going dialogue of sustainability and employment.”
The report proposes that a Green Transition could be coordinated through a green enterprise innovation hub, linked to relevant departments at Portsmouth, Bournemouth (including a link to National Coastal Tourism Academy) and Southampton Universities. It could also be supported by identifying specific locations for these new Green enterprises to flourish. This could be linked to low-cost start-up/community-benefit and innovation units within existing or new green enterprise area.
Cllr Lilley said in his opening remarks:
“On the 20th July, the Isle of Wight Council launched their Regeneration Strategy at Cowes Yacht Haven and presented 6 sites on the Island that they wished to collaborate with investors and developers in creating with a focus on job creation. One of those sites is Nicolson Road in my ward in Ryde East. Ryde residents need jobs and jobs not in just tourism but jobs in manufacturing such as the jobs created by local business heroine, Liz Earle. I would be delighted if Nicolson Road could be the birthplace of an Eco-Business and Innovation Centre.
“The engineering technology behind the Island’s aviation and aerospace industry with iconic products such as Trilander planes, Black Arrow Rocket and the Hovercraft, is the same technology used by local companies such as Vestas who are producing the largest wind blades in the World for off-shore wind farms. We have a long history of being the home of inventors and innovators such as Cockerell, inventor of Hovercraft, and I would love to see small business units for our future creators on the island.
“This report provides the evidence on how just by making the Island more sustainable and environmentally focused we can create jobs.”
All those who attended the launch welcomed the report and Councillor Wayne Whittle and Chris Ashman of the Isle of Wight Council and leaders of the Regeneration Programme welcomed the report and the issues raised at the event as useful contributions to the strategy.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Environment is meeting in September and Nicolson Road regeneration proposals will be discussed as one of the first sites to be developed. Cllr Lilley is a member of this Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Lilley added:
“I am delighted that my ward is one of the first sites for this new wave of employment creation as I have many local residents who need employment in sustainable and well-paid jobs. There is a need for community facilities as well so I welcome the opportunity to work with officers, the local community, Ryde Town Council, Ryde Business Association, Isle of Wight Community Action, Sovereign Housing Association which is the main social landlord in my ward, and others, in creating something imaginative and creative.
” believe Ryde has the talent to make this happen. The Green Jobs Report hopefully will help the creative process in the development of the site.”
