A NEW strategic partnership to boost innovation and economic growth has been agreed between Portsmouth City Council (PCC) and the University of Portsmouth (UP).

This agreement covers innovation and economic growth areas to boost economic development in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth have mutual aims within innovation and economic growth that overlap. These include ambitions to become climate positive and achieve net zero carbon emissions, to support innovation within the city, and to contribute and support the wider cultural development of the city.

PCC and UP will share insights and expertise to leverage the effectiveness and impact of each for the benefit of both as well as the city and its people.

David Williams, chief executive Portsmouth City Council, said: "Portsmouth has an excellent reputation for encouraging and supporting business which we want to ensure continues.  It makes sense for Portsmouth City Council to work closely with the University, sharing expertise and resources to the benefit of both partners and for the city."

Professor Graham Galbraith, vice chancellor at the University of Portsmouth, said:  "This agreement makes a lot of sense and acknowledges the many areas where the self-interests of both parties align.

"We have shared aims on climate change, on supporting innovation, as well as the wider cultural development of the city and in making Portsmouth a great place to visit and to live. There is a lot of work ahead of us but I am confident that the agreement constitutes a step change in cooperation and working with the city council. This can only be good for the city."

The agreement covers six themes. PCC and UP will work together on climate and sustainability issues, including green skills and green capital health issues, in particular through developing a medical technology cluster developing and building an innovation quarter in the city building a vibrant innovation ecosystem, in particular through increased knowledge exchange and the provision of innovation spaces sharing evidence, research, and insights and becoming partners of first choice for major bids to help attract significant funding to the city.

The economic and innovation strategic agreement between Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth will be set for five years and will be reviewed annually.