Principles and Issues PaperConsultation February-April 2009

• Single Regional Strategy

• Integrated– Joint responsibility NWDA / 4NW (Leaders Forum)– Ultimately replaces RES, RSS and RHS– Legislation and policy guidance expected throughout

Regional Consultation on

Principles and Issues Paper

February – April 2009

NW Regional Strategy 2010

Challenging

Main Stages of Development

Evidence Issues Development Strategy

2008 Feb-Apr 09

2009 2010

Sustainability Appraisal

Objectives, Goals, Ultimate Aims, Vision …

Principles and Issues Paper• Principles and Issues Paper

Assumptions; Strategy Development; Goals; NW Unique Offer; Challenges;

Issues

Public consultation February – 30 April 2009

• Supporting Materials

SQW Thinkpiece: Independent Analysis

Regional Intelligence Unit: State of the Region 2008

• Consultation 2/2/09-30/4/09 held on www.nwregionalstrategy.com

Assumptions

1. Northwest increasingly integrated economically…and this is good

2. Imperative to compete on quality and differentiate the offer

3. Climate change – and govt carbon reduction targets – is happening. Innovation.

4. Gas / Oil / Resources prices increasing; volatility in price and supply

5. Fluctuations too in food and commodity prices

6. People will still need to commute and travel for work and leisure

7. Cities / large towns major focus for living, economic activity and growth

8. Ageing population and lower than recent levels of in-migration

Strategy Development

Framework for sustainable economic growth of the

Northwest, not a plan for each place.

Vision of long-term success delivered by competitiveness

and differentiation.

Development of a unique offer as a place to live, work,

and succeed, based on complementary assets and

strengths of the Northwest.

GoalsSustainable economic growth i.e. economic growth that can

be sustained and is within environmental limits, but also enhances the environment and social welfare, and avoids greater extremes in future economic cycles.

health housing

education

employment

connectivity

low carbon productivity equity

vibrancy

community

environment

Potential elements of a unique NW offer

1. Diverse culture, sport, image, environment and critical mass

2. Relatively high skilled, low cost with great connectivity

3. Environmental assets and employment land

4. Clean energy generation and security

5. Advanced engineering / materials

6. Biomedical & Digital/Creative

7. Innovation, Science, Research, Universities

8. International Port and Airports

NW Challenges1. Ill-health and economic / social

impacts

2. Relatively poor housing choice / stock / new build supply

3. Deprivation, inequality, poor social cohesion

4. External perceptions, low expectations and aspirations

5. Attraction and retention of people

6. Low education and skills profiles

7. Low employment rates

8. Low enterprise levels

9. Challenges to competitiveness

10. Transport congestion / public transport cold-spots

11. High levels of energy use / poor utility infrastructure

12. Challenge to integrate urban areas with rural hinterlands

13. Volume and management of waste

14. Climate change and flooding

15. Threats to and management of environmental, cultural and historic assets

Issues

CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESOURCE USE Improve

resource use … reduce and manage waste, …

reduce carbon emissions … become a net exporter

of electricity from low carbon sources … exploit

NW innovation, R&D, science capabilities

GROWTH DRIVEN BY CITIES AND TOWNS ….strength of

the offer …issues of housing, transport, flood risk,

capacity of critical utilities and infrastructure … supply

of employment and housing land

CONNECTIVITY sustainable transport infrastructure &

wider connectivity … maximising our ports, airports and

rail … dealing with areas of poor provision …

strengthening Digital Connectivity and Leadership

PLACES AND COMMUNITIES

clarity on the future strengths of

places and their inter-

relationships … enabling places

to evolve different roles

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AREAS

protecting and making the most of our outstanding

natural environment and maintaining the rural

economy and quality of life … strong food offer

SKILLS AND TALENT

developing attracting and

retaining talent and

creativity … innovation and

leadership at all levels …

supporting communities

….supply of good housing

HEALTH AND WORKLESSNESS challenging the

intractable outcomes the region faces with ill-health

and worklessness, and raising aspirations

INNOVATION strengths in

science, R&D, the size of our

HEI base, a heritage of

innovation and creativity …

linking this to tackling other

issues… STEM skills

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING the importance of

making products and services in the global economy …

clear strengths in advanced manufacturing … high levels

of talent, innovation and leadership/management

NATURE OF GROWTH AND ROLE OF PUBLIC SECTOR

thinking carefully about sustainable growth … learning

and horizon scanning …. correctly building capacity …

exploiting the weighty public sector of the NW

How to get involved

• Consultation via www.nwregionalstrategy.com

• Events

• Comments forum on www.nwregionalstrategy.com

SEEP Deprived Communities Symposium

• Need to develop a definitive response to deprivation in our communities

• 4NW partners are holding a conference to forge cross-sectoral agreement

– Tuesday 9th June– Guildhall, Preston

• Will directly input to 4NW’s approach to RS2010

• For info dean.jones@4nw.org.uk