A PLAN to create jobs, attract investment and help businesses in Darlington thrive is to be drawn up, it has been announced.

Business and political leaders want individuals and companies to help them prepare an economic strategy for the town’s long term future after research showed 80 per cent of Darlington’s employment oppotunities were in the public sector, logistics and communications.

Darlington Partnership and Darlington Borough Council are setting up nine inquiry groups which will spend three months assessing different business sectors.

The groups will report to a conference held early next year, where an economic strategy for Darlington will be created.

The conference will also hear results from discussions with major employers on how Darlington can benefit from regional, national and global economies.

The council will then consult on the strategy before formally adopting it.

The decision to create a new economic plan follows research into the state of Darlington's economy through the Local Economic Assessment.

The analysis has shown that the economy is driven by the service sector with almost 80 per cent of all employment opportunities in the borough in public administration, education, health and other services, as well as distribution, transport and communications. To help the process, businesses, schools, colleges and training providers are being asked to join one of the nine enquiry groups, which will spend three months assessing the state of their business sector and what future opportunities there could be.

The nine groups are: * Engineering and manufacturing; * Digital and media; * Creative, cultural and leisure; * Financial, business services and telecommunications; * Construction; * Health and social care; * Education; * Retail; and * Logistics, transport and distribution.

Mike Airey, branch manager for Handelsbanken in Darlington and inquiry group chairman, said previous strategies developed by the council and partnership had attracted major employers including the Student Loans Company and Argos’ distribution centre.

“With the economic challenges facing the local economy now, we believe this is the right time to look at how we make sure we have the right strategies in place to make sure Darlington is a good place to do business,” he added.

Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “We need to hear from those people working on the ground in the nine areas as they have the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure Darlington’s economy can grow in the future.”

For more information about joining one of the enquiry groups and having a say on the future of your business sector call Sue White on 01325 388626 or e-mail sue.white@darlington.gov.uk.