CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE COMPARISON
CORNWALL
Business Facts
Cornwall (excluding the Isles of Scilly) has a population of 529500 in 2007, with a population density of 149/ km². It has experienced nearly forty years of population growth, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the UK. There are more deaths than births, (about 700) and more people move into Cornwall (in-migrants) than leave (out-migrants), with a net growth of on average 5000. Recently there has been a reduction in the average age of in-migrants, and a fall in the number of out-migrants. These trends are subject to rapid change due to external pressures, the state of the economy or the performance of local or wider housing markets. The County comprises the westernmost part of the South West peninsula and has over 697 km of coastline, the longest of any English county.
In 2007, there were 19,990 active enterprises in Cornwall (20,170 including the Isles of Scilly). Between 1999 and 2007 there has been an overall increase in businesses of 12.18%). This growth rate is less than those recorded at both the South West (+14.9%) and UK (+16.1%) levels. The volume of new registrations has been increasing; reflecting a stronger national and regional economy. High levels of registrations and de-registrations are indicative of a dynamic and competitive economic climate.
Settlement Pattern Truro is the main commercial and employment centre of Cornwall and acts as a sub-regional centre for the West and Mid Cornwall. However, there are significant other key towns geographically spread throughout the County. These towns act as the key centres for employment, retailing, service use and social activity throughout Cornwall and will provide a key focus for achieving future sustainable development and regeneration. Away from, and around the main towns are a further tier of smaller towns, larger and smaller villages, and then more dispersed hamlets, farmsteads, and old clusters of mining or agricultural cottages. This distinctive dispersed settlement pattern reflects the special economic history of farming, fishing and mining. There is a strong Celtic culture and tradition, which has at its core a sense of identity linked to place. There are of course significant cross border functional and economic relationships with Plymouth, a maritime city of 250,000 just across the River Tamar, and also with parts of rural Devon and Exeter.
In 2007, there were approximately 160 business start ups per 10,000 working age people in Cornwall. This was higher than the start-up rates recorded at the South West (140 per 10,000) and England and Wales level (130). Indeed, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly had the second highest start-up rate of all shire counties across England and Wales.
Industry & Heritage Cornwall has had a long history of mining and quarrying, with associated industrial and engineering activities. This expertise has been exported world wide, with the Cornish influence extending far beyond the United Kingdom. Cornwall led the world in technology for over 60 years during the Industrial Revolution. Over the last century Cornwall has also established itself as a major tourist destination and is maintaining its share of a competitive market with over 5 million visitors per annum. Given the geographical context of the area, agriculture and fishing remain important industries which, despite severe difficulties, are responding to the challenge to restructure themselves. Successful diversification has taken place into growth sectors such as the manufacturing and service industries, and there are some clusters of businesses which have potential global significance. These clusters are developing around the chemical/ medical, environmental technology, creative, food and maritime business sectors. This pooling of intellectual capital is improving the competitiveness of the economy.
CORNWALL / FINISTĂˆRE Comparison
Economic Facts
Infrastructure
In 2006 the total Gross Value Added (GVA) for Cornwall was £6284 Billion. This represented approximately 7% of the total South West GVA. The Cornish economy has expanded at a faster rate since 2000, with growth easily outstripping the regional and national economy. However, Cornwall continues to have the smallest GVA per head (£11,939) in the UK compared with a UK average of £18945. The GDP per capita figures produced at the European level indicate that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has experienced a marked improvement relative to the EU 27 average from 68.9% in 1999 to 77.6% in 2006). In 2006, total GDP for Cornwall equalled 9,655 million Purchasing Power Parities, or 18,300 per capita.
The infrastructure servicing the economy is constrained by the geographical position of Cornwall. Transport is a key issue with costs and lack of access reducing competitiveness of local businesses and has the potential to limit the economic success. Car ownership is a necessity in rural areas, and whilst the maritime history of Cornwall has left major assets in terms of port and harbour facilities, they need investment to survive and expand. Market rents can be a constraint on the provision of industrial and commercial property and the majority of supply is in smaller properties and land.
The most marked increase in GVA per head has been in the districts of Carrick and Kerrier, with Carrick being the only Cornish district above 80% of the national average. In spite of a marked increase in Caradon, it remains the lowest of the districts. The GVA per head figures for Caradon, Penwith and Kerrier are exceptionally low with all below 65% of the national average.
Recently expansion of Higher and Further educational facilities, courses and capacity have seen the opening of Combined Universities in Cornwall The number of Full Time Equivalent students for 2008-09 was 7,000 compared to 2,800 in 1999-00.
Low GVA manifests itself in low wages and low household income (average weekly wages for all employees in 2008 were £306.8, significantly below the South West at £361.8 and the UK average at £388.4). Low wages are associated with low skilled, part-time jobs. The wage distribution of Cornwall reflects the industrial structure of the County, where there is a greater dependence on lower value added sectors, with correspondingly low wages than that seen nationally. In addition, there is a high proportion of workers in low paying occupations in Cornwall. This is partly related to the industrial structure, but also the high level of small businesses that restricts the types of occupations available.
Economic Activity
Environment and Culture
As with economic activity rates, employment rates for Cornwall are broadly in line with national levels but are lower than regional levels. In July 2008, 4,321 people were registered unemployed (claiming job-seekers allowance - JSA), equating to 1.4% of the working age population. This very low rate is typical of the average for the year, however, seasonal unemployment, although now less pronounced, is still a problem due to the area’s continuing reliance on tourism in the summer months. Cornwall’s claimant count (JSA) rate has reduced from 3.7% in July 1999 to 1.4% in July 2008, (the January 2009 figure was 2.9%). The rate has been below the national claimant count since February 2002 and has converged with the South West rate. However, although JSA claimant counts are useful for analysing trends, they are considered an under-estimate of the total numbers that are unemployed as not all those who are entitled to the benefit claim it. For the year ending June 2008, the total number of unemployed was believed to be 13,200 or 5.4% of the working age population, compared to 3.9% across the SW and 5.3% across the United Kingdom.
The geographical position of Cornwall has ensured a physical environment which is internationally renowned. It has a strong sense of place and community, largely because of its relative isolation. It has maintained much of its own identity in traditions and culture. The quality of the environment is one of the unique assets of Cornwall, generating considerable benefits for residents and providing a major draw for economic migrants and businesses to the County. Natural resources provide the bedrock of a large part of the economy, whether it is agriculture, fishing or tourism., In terms of designations, AONB covers 958km2 27% of Cornwall’s land area, and the Heritage Coast extends to 105 miles. The substantial coastline also offers outstanding opportunities for innovative and sustainable environmental technology. Cornwall was the first place in the UK to host commercial wind farms, has pioneered work on other renewable energy technologies such as ground source heat pumps, and currently has ambitious trial plans for exploiting wave energy.
CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE Comparison
Isles of Scilly
Lands End �
to Isle of Scilly
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Availability is at 99.8%
Broadband internet
St Michael's Mount
Trebah
Combined Universities in Cornwall � Helston
Land area: 3,563 km
Redruth � Camborne
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Trerice
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Eden Project
Lanhydrock House
Bodmin �
Wadebridge
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Launceston
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Saltash Mount Edgcumbe
Gross domestic product (GDP) 2003: €8.978bn. GDP growth per capita 2001 - 2003: 8.2% - one of Europe’s fastest growing economies.
� Looe
�Liskeard
Gunnislake
29.3% of Cornwall is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Economy
Bodmin Moor
The resident population is 519,400. Annual number of visitors: 5.5 million. Population growth since 1981: 20% - four times the UK average.
Population
Heligan
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The largest cheddar cheese
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Camelford factory in Europe.
Cornwall is recognised as a wine region.
St Austell
The UK’s first commercial tea plantation.
Length of coastline: 672 km
� Falmouth
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Truro
Proportion of residents living in towns and villages: 69%
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Newquay
Padstow
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CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE Comparison
Penzance
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St Ives
Designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Gardens & Historic Houses
Fishing ports
Railways Richard Trevithick developed the world’s first steam road locomotive in 1801, and the first steam railway locomotive three years later.
Nationally important surfing beaches
Cornwall’s mining landscape recognised with World Heritage Status
Passenger numbers increased from 76,000 in 2000 to 355,000 in 2005. It is estimated that there will be 374,000 passengers in 2006, rising to 680,000 by 2010.
Newquay Airport
Bude
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Porthcurno: the site of Britain's first major Empire communications link in 1870 and 2 years later, the main station of a world-wide telegraph cable network. At its height in 1934, Porthcurno was the world's largest cable station.
CORNWALL
V O D E
FINISTÈRE
CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE Comparison
FINISTÈRE
Business facts
Finistère is the western part of Brittany and is one of its 4 departments (Morbihan, Cote d’Armor and Ille et Villaine). In 2006 the population of Finistère was 879,497. The average age of this population is 40. Since 1982 the population has increased by 6.2%. Between 1990 and 1999 birth rates exceeded death rates (unlike Cornwall). The population density in 2006 equalled 130.6 people per km² This department covers 6,755 km2 with 1,200 km of coastline.
By the very nature of its situation, Finistère is a seawardlooking, trading region. This opening on the world is supported by a modern communications network well adapted to the needs of business.
Settlement pattern In contrast to Cornwall, there are two large urban centres in Finistere, Brest (210 000 inhabitants) and Quimper (83 000 inhabitants). As the extreme end of Brittany, Finistère is one of the most Celtic departments, this is the department where the Breton language is most spoken. Endowed with a strong cultural identity and an extraordinary heritage, Finistère is always lively and offers a remarkable local environment in terms of way of life. Excellent schools, which put Finistère top of the list for educational success, extensive leisure activities, a safe and well-maintained environment, enhancing both your professional and personal development.
In 2007, there were 3000 new enterprises, half of which were in the service sector. Overall, the creation rate was 9%, with a rate of 11% for the construction sector. Individual new enterprises totalled 1,762, constituting 59% of all new enterprises. The number of agricultural holdings has decreased by 18% since 2000, and the fishing fleet dropped from 979 in 1997 to 779 in 2006 (-20%). The latest count indicated there were 4000 fishermen in the department, which is the top department for fishing, accounting for 25% of the total. The figures for fishing and agriculture are much higher than the national average. The industry of agri food is still important and Finistère concentrates on innovation to develop business.
Industry and heritage Finistère is a harmonious blend of maritime tradition and love of the land. Although its traditional activities are agriculture, food-processing and fishing, Finistère is a dynamic region whose researchers and business leaders are renowned as innovators in such high-tech sectors as electronics, aeronautics and shipbuilding. As the leading French maritime area, Finistère is highly valued and ranks among the leading French tourist destinations, offering visitors more than 400,000 accommodation possibilities.
Economic facts In 2006 total GDP equalled 20043 million Purchasing Power Parities. This is equivalent to 22,700 PPS per inhabitant, 96% of the EU 27 average. In 2006, the median household income equalled 16,664 euros.
Economic activities In 1999, the activity rate was 51% (58.7% for men, 44.7% for women). During the last quarter of 2007 there were 26,000 unemployed, a rate of 6.9%, compared to 7.6% in 2006. Unemployment has been falling since the beginning of 2006. There is still a lack of working force
CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE Comparison
in the building construction industry, individual services, and agri food. The employment of women in a little bit higher than the national level (54.3% for Finistère and 53.6 for France). In 2005 the service sector accounted for 58% of employment, followed by industry (15%). commerce 14%, construction 7% and agriculture 6%. Young people from Finistère are more educated than the average of the French youth (more high diplomas). The main employers for the public sector are Local Government and the hospitals of Brest, Morlaix and Quimper; and for the private sector, Naval construction, Bigard, Brit air and Brittany Ferries, Louis Gad, Livbag and caisse interfédérale de crédit mutuel de Bretagne. The average annual income is 19 230 euros.
Infrastructure Paris is an hour’s flight away, the UK is two hours by plane and six by cross-channel ferry, while northern and southern Europe are easily accessible via Brittany’s toll-free dual carriageway trunk roads. The main port is Brest, important in terms of food products, followed by Roscoff. Brittany Ferries, based in Roscoff is an important company in Finistere. In terms of air connections, Brit Air, and its subsidiary Icare, is based in Morlaix. With a fleet of 39 aircraft, serving some thirty European destinations.
Environment and culture The passage of the Gulf Stream along Finistère’s Atlantic coast prevents extreme climatic conditions and fosters an environment in which plants flourish while the ocean itself provides rich and diverse resources which are valued and protected. Summers are pleasant, between 20 and 25° C, winters are mild due to the ocean climate. Finistère offers an enviable network of historic and artbased towns (designated as Villes d’Art et d’Histoire) and small characterful villages (known as Petites Cités de Caratère), walled parish enclosures that are unique in the world. Dates not to be missed : Old Plows Festival (otherwise known as the Festival des Vieilles Charrues) of pop, rock and R&B in Carhaix, Old Gaffers Festivals in Brest and Douarnenez, the Festival of Cornouaille in Quimper featuring Breton and Celtic music. There are two nationally-recognised performance venues: the Quartz, Brest’s International Convention Centre, and the Théâtre de Cornouaille in Quimper.
CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE Comparison
CORNWALL / FINISTÈRE COMPARISON
Cornwall Council
Finistere County Council
Cornwall Council is the democratic organisation which speaks for Cornwall as a whole. We work to ensure that the views of the people of Cornwall are heard by central Government, in Europe and worldwide. The Council provides key services in partnership with a wide range of private, public and voluntary sector partners, for all our 500,000 residents and our five million or so annual visitors.
Since 1982-1983 (devolution laws), Finistère County Council has been the key local government organisation in charge of a broad range of issues directly affecting the population on its territory. Working especially on social affairs, Finistère is also involved in education, international affairs, culture, inclusion, tourism, county roads, fire and environment. The County Council works with all actors on the territory to make Finistère an attractive and pleasant place to be.
For more information about Cornwall, visit our website at www.cornwall.gov.uk T: +44 0300 1234 100 E: enquiries@cornwall.gov.uk
For more information about Finistère, visit our website www.cg29.fr T: +33 (0)2 98 76 20 20
Jn.22682. 07/09