Strategy for economic growth

THE North West Development Agency (NWDA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to strengthen and streamline arrangements for delivering sustainable economic development across England.
This follows widespread dialogue with regional and local partners.
The Government has acknowledged the key role of the Warrington-based NWDA in responding to the current economic downturn – £200m of business support announced in September – in the reforms from its Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.
Steven Broomhead, (pictured) chief executive of the NWDA, said: “Our immediate response to the economic downturn with a £200m business support package is important but businesses are also clear on the need to maintain our focus on long term recovery.
“The single strategy is an important opportunity to ensure that all public money invested in transport, skills, the environment, housing and business is geared towards ensuring the long term success of the region’s communities and businesses.”
The reforms will mean that national, regional and local strategies and funding work better together. One of the main objectives of the NWDA over the coming months will be build on the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy and work even closer with local authorities, the business community and other stakeholders to ensure that the region is agreeing the right long term priorities.
At the heart of the plans is a new, single strategy for sustainable economic growth in the North West.
This will bring together priorities for economic development alongside planning, transport and housing objectives for the first time, with the NWDA and local authority leaders taking joint responsibility for its preparation, consultation arrangements and final approval, and for monitoring of its delivery. The regional strategy will also include details of how the region intends to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
The new statutory Regional Strategy will replace the existing regional economic and spatial strategies, which were developed separately by RDAs, including the NWDA, and regional assemblies respectively. This will ensure a more integrated approach to regional development.
Mr Broomhead added: “In this challenging economic climate, the underlying purpose of the Sub-National Review, to ensure a long term sustainable economy has an even greater significance. The North West has led calls for a single strategy. We have a strong Leaders’ Forum in place and a history of working closely together. This region will be the first to have a single strategy in place and we will be starting our consultation process on the first stages of the single strategy in the New Year.
“It is important that the NWDA continues to be able to use its resources flexibly. This region has a long history of local delivery driving the renewal of our towns and cities. In the North West we are already working with local authorities on appropriate delivery arrangements so that the relevant activities are best delivered regionally, sub-regionally and locally.
“In addition to longer term planning, the NWDA will also continue direct support for regional economic growth including enterprise and business support, inward investment and innovation, along with our lead role in responding to economic shocks and job losses.
“The Government has also set out arrangements for scrutiny of RDAs and confirms plans for new Parliamentary Regional Select and Grand Committees, which we also welcome.”