Case studies

Recovery planning during the pandemic has been a catalyst for Cheshire West and Chester to not only think about restarting, but to reset – to use the opportunity to drive fundamental changes in the way that the Council works with local communities and the local economy works.

Essex County Council are approaching recovery with a renewed focus on sustainable economic development. The Council have taken the decision to both create a new £100m fund to invest in economic recovery. They have also boosted their own investment capacity and capability by establishing a new multi-disciplinary growth and recovery team.

Before the pandemic hit, Great Yarmouth had well-defined corporate and  economic growth strategies in place. The impacts of COVID has reinforced the need for previous plans to be delivered successfully and as such Greater Yarmouth has retained continuity and a clear vision.

Lancaster City Council have built their recovery planning around their collaborative work with neighbouring authorities Barrow Borough Council and South Lakeland District Council.

The Somerset Growth and Recovery Plan was developed and agreed by all five local authorities in January 2021. It is based on detailed economic analysis of the regional and local authority area impacts of the pandemic on jobs and growth under different scenarios.

Wolverhampton City Council have produced a new city motto as part of their recovery strategy 'Relighting our city', involving five themes to support their residents.

Barnsley Council and its local partners were beginning the process of updating the economic strategy for the borough – with a focus on the inclusive economy – when the Coronavirus crisis began in early 2020.

Bradford Council has worked closely with public and private sector stakeholders, VCSE and local communities to develop practical plans and projects to make an immediate difference.

Cambridge city council did not have an economic development team in place at the onset of the pandemic. These functions had been led by the Combined Authority and Greater Cambridge Partnership – the delivery vehicle for the Cambridge City Deal.

Gloucester have demonstrated an action orientated and delivery focused approach to recovery.