CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY: Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Economic Vision
'The corridor connecting Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford could be the UK's Silicon Valley – a world-renowned centre for science, technology and innovation. But its future success is not guaranteed. The corridor faces a chronic under-supply of homes made worse by poor east-west transport connectivity. Two of the least affordable cities in the UK lie within the corridor and the area - as a whole - has consistently failed to build the number of homes it needs. That shortage puts sustained growth at risk. It is already increasing costs for businesses and diminishing their ability to attract employees at all levels.'
National Infrastructure Commission, 2017
The Oxford-Cambridge Corridor is seen as one of the greatest untapped economic corridors in the UK and has been identified by Government as a key strategic priority for growth, development and investment.
Analysis prepared for the NIC suggested that trend-based growth, reflecting established patterns of spatial development, could see the number of jobs across the Corridor increase by 335,000 to 2050, increasing economic output by some £85bn.
It also suggests that more transformational growth is possible. In a scenario where the Corridor’s housing needs are better met and in which east-west links succeed in bringing distinct sub regional economies closer together – the area could support a further 700,000 jobs by 2050, increasing GVA by £163bn.
The Government has invited the three Local Enterprise Partnerships of OxLEP, SEMLEP and BTVLEP - which cover the corridor - together with the Mayoral Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, to work together to develop a shared economic vision.
The corridor partners are looking to appoint suitably-qualified consultants who can work with a steering group to develop an economic vision for the corridor, which builds upon the recently completed LDA study which sets out the corridors assets as a first phase of the commission and thereafter work prepare a cross Corridor Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) delivery plan which aggregates the potential of 'place' and maximises the corridors potential to drive economic growth for 'UK PLC'.
This second phase would be completed over the course of the 2018 with a view to aligning this with LIS at a place level by December 2018.
Our aim is to create a shared long term economic vision and Strategic Investment Plan for the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Growth Corridor to 2050, to guide policy and investment decisions by partners in response to the Industrial Strategy White Paper, building on the emerging Local Industrial Strategies, existing Strategic Economic Plans and growth, infrastructure and skills strategies, which focus upon the potential of place and supported by robust evidence and economic intelligence.
Critical milestones:
- 18 May: Publication of consultancy brief
- 8 June (4pm): Deadline for submission of tenders to OxLEP Ltd
- 14 June: Interviews and appointment of consultants
- w/c 18 June: Inception meeting
- w/c 16 July: Stage one complete
- w/c 10 September: Stage two complete
Final report:
- 10 December: Stage three draft final report
- w/c 21 January 2019: Final report for partner sign-off
The full consultancy brief can be downloaded below:
Download Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor economic vision brief
Please send all tender submissions to: [email protected] by 4pm on Friday 8 June – please note, late submissions will not be considered.
Please state ‘Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Economic Vision Consultancy Proposal’ in your email correspondence.
Shortlisted suppliers will be notified by Tuesday 12 June, and be invited to a panel interview on Thursday 14 June – shortlisted suppliers will be notified of the venue and precise timings.
All tenders should clearly state the key point of contact for the supplier and their contact details.
