The results of the Competitive Inverness conference held in October have been published in a report that outlines an action plan to help meet the aspirations for the city.

The conference was organised and facilitated by Inverness-based LifeTree and was attended by around 65 delegates, representing 50 local organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The key priorities identified by the delegates, which will be included in the new Local Economic Forum* (LEF) strategy and action plan, were:

* A better connected city by means of a completed ring road and dualled A9 and A96, road links with the rest of Scotland, a twin electrified rail link with the Central Belt and better flight connectivity through Inverness airport;

* An established university with a large, high quality, campus;

* A vibrant city centre with high quality retail and cultural facilities, full conference
   centre facilities, which is pedestrian friendly and incorporates both luxury and
   affordable flatted properties;

* Maximum use made of the immediate natural environment with a major
   refurbishment of the riverside and waterfront environment which, in addition to
   providing appropriate flood defences, incorporates a café culture;

* A broader private sector commercial base which develops the area into a
   leading bio-tech centre.

The LEF action plan, which has been updated following the conference, will include: further consultation, particularly with youth groups; implementation of the Streetscape Scheme, which is underway and due for completion in 2008 by the Highland Council and the Inverness City Partnership; the completion of the new Eden Court Theatre in 2007 and a new city centre museum and gallery in 2009; the completion of the Centre for Health Science in late 2007, a university in 2007 and high quality university campus in 2009.

The action plan will also include ongoing work on additional housing, improved transport links and the waterfront development.

Other themes that emerged from the discussions included the need for strong leadership; an inclusive community that is open and welcoming to the visitor and the incomer; and the need to support developments across the whole of the Highlands.

Bob Wynd, chair of the LEF, said: "This was an excellent conference, with positive input and ideas for the vision of Inverness in 2020. Now that we have this report, we are updating the LEF strategy and action plan to reflect the aspirations of the many business leaders that attended the event.

"One of the longer-term aims of our last strategy was to update the road between the city and the airport, on which we have made significant progress. We are currently awaiting the Scottish Executive study and the Minister's response to our proposals.

"The new strategy will also include our aspirations for more improvements to road, rail and air transport services to the region, which continues to be a vital element of the economic development of the area."

Delegates at the conference heard key-note addresses from Mike Crowe, managing director of Lifescan Scotland, Professor Greg Lloyd from the University of Dundee and Dr Jim Fitzpatrick, managing director of Dublin-based economic consultancy Fitzpatrick Associates.

William Roe, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who chaired the conference, said: "This event successfully combined the need for consultation prior to updating the LEF's strategy with an extremely inspiring conference. The event gave the opportunity to hear from high profile, international business leaders, followed by an in-depth discussion on the best way to meet the economic development needs of the area.

"I was delighted that it was recognised that the economic growth of Inverness city is important to the wider Highlands and Islands region and the success of one is dependent on the success of the other. I look forward to working with the LEF and our other partners to realise these ambitious aspirations."

A copy of the report is available at: http://www.hie.co.uk/inbse/INBSLEF-conference-2005.html

*Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Local Economic Forum