The proportion of Aylesbury Vale residents in managerial and senior official positions, at 11.4%, is the same as across the south-east region as a whole. Aylesbury Vale's resident workforce is also diverse, which provides a potential pool of skilled workers across the spectrum for all the recruitment needs of businesses.
The area is attractive to small to medium-sized businesses. Levels of new business formation present a dynamic picture of the district, with 12,900 of the Vale's workers classified as self-employed in 2011. There are around 70,000 jobs and over 9,200 businesses operating in the Vale. The district has a high ratio of business start-ups per 10,000 of population - 58, compared to a south-east average of 53. It also has an above-average level of business VAT registrations, an indicator of the strong entrepreneurial culture in the district.
The Vale has a well balanced economy, with a mix of business sectors including education, retail, wholesale, hospitality, business and financial services, and manufacturing. Aylesbury Vale also has a high proportion of occupations in the areas of health and social work, education, public administration and defence and the hotels and restaurant industry. Aylesbury Vale’s resident labour force is well qualified and highly skilled but also diverse, which provides a potential pool of skilled workers across the spectrum to fulfil the recruitment needs of employers.
Future growth
For the period 2006–2031, the population is set to grow by approximately 15 per cent. 36 per cent of its current (2011) population is below 29 years of age, and with further growth anticipated for the future for the area, the Vale will be attracting a relatively young population.
Following the Localism Bill , the government has set out its intention to revoke the South East Plan (SEP) which had formerly set out the district’s housing and employment targets to 2026. Therefore, there is a fundamental importance to fill this gap by looking at the district’s economy and housing growth over the next 20 years to gain a better understanding of how local areas will grow and respond to demand for both housing and employment.
AVDC has appointed GL Hearn to help inform the council’s view as to the level of housing and employment that should be brought forward in the district under the new planning policy regime as set out in the Localism Act. Overall the report provides AVDC with a range of scenarios and a thorough understanding of Aylesbury Vale’s economy and potential for growth over the period to 2031.
The employment profile of Aylesbury Vale reflects the national rapid trend to a service-based economy, with high levels of employment in Financial and Business Services (FBS) (11%), the Public Sector, Education and Health (31%) and Wholesale & Retail (11%). Employment
sectors/subsectors projected to achieve the highest employment growth include environmental technologies, motorsport, wholesale, retail, hotels and catering, and knowledge-based industries (business and financial services, ICT, professional services).
The Vale has a thriving rural economy, which makes a vital contribution both to the economic health of the district and the Vale’s quality of life. A high proportion of the businesses in the Vale are small companies, and there is a strong support network with business groups and clubs.
Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA) Since 2004 AVA have worked with partners to create a vibrant and prosperous Aylesbury Vale. AVA aim to lead and progress projects that will have a fundamental effect on the future sustainability of employment, housing, retail, services and infrastructure opportunities within Aylesbury Vale.
