Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority (CWCA) leaders used a landmark first conference to bolster plans to bring a high-speed train line to the region and unveil an ambitious agenda for future growth and investment.
The conference came after the region was given the government green light in March to form the CWCA and take control over powers related to transport, skills and investment including a 30-year investment fund worth £20m a year. Residents will elect a mayor next year.
Alongside debate the conference heard CWCA leaders will work with the Liverpool-Manchester Rail Board and drive forward Northern Powerhouse Rail plans to bring a high-speed rail link to the region including a new station at Warrington Bank Quay – the nucleus for the wider transformational Warrington Bank Quay Gateway development.
Former Rail Minister Huw Merriman, Chair of the Liverpool Manchester Railway Partnership Board told the conference the establishment of the CWCA means the whole proposed route for the Liverpool to Manchester Railway now has “the enhanced powers and weight from three Combined Authorities to deliver not just better connectivity but the new homes, employment space and master planning to fuel new economic growth” and “provide major economic and social regeneration, not just for Warrington but across Cheshire and the North”.
The conference was also used to announce plans for an audit of the region’s strengths in the form of an expert-led Independent Economic Review to shape future decision making.Hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin and including a keynote speech from the UK’s Trade Minister Lord Jason Stockwood, today’s milestone event took place at The Aviary, part of Alderley Park – the UK’s largest single-site biotech and life science cluster – saw CWCA leaders welcome almost 300 delegates from politics, education and public sector and community organisations.
The conference came just days after the CWCA used its AGM to unveil a £10m investment programme which alongside unlocking future investment and accelerating strategic opportunities includes £3m investment for town centres, cultural activity and community assets as part of a pledge to utilise a £650 million, 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund settlement to improve the lives of residents and the places they live.
Welcoming delegates and senior business leaders from the region including officials from AstraZeneca, Bentley Motors, Bruntwood SciTech and Manchester Airports Group, CWCA Chair, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Today symbolises the day Cheshire and Warrington takes its seat on the Northern and national stage. “
The conference was designed to explore and maximise devolution opportunities, turbocharge growth, and unlock further investment at pace in a region home to 41,000 businesses, a £4bn tourism economy and world-class strengths in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Guest speakers included Professor Juergen Maier, Chair of GB Energy, Dr Hannah White OBE – CEO of the Institute for Government, and former Rail Minister Huw Merriman, Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board.
Powered by globally renowned advanced manufacturing, clean energy, tourism, nuclear and world class life sciences across the Cheshire Science Corridor – one of the densest concentrations of life-sciences capability in Europe, Lord Stockwood, the UK’s Investment Minister told the conference the region “had a bit of everything” and devolution was a “real opportunity” to build on foundation sectors and “future technologies”.
He said the government would help support planning to make sure when a mayor is elected next year “they can thrive straight away”.
He added: “In terms of devolution central government has a role to play in large scale projects, long-term thinking, large investment cases.
“But ultimately decisions need to be made by those in communities that understand those communities, the opportunities, the resources. They know what’s possible, what needs to be done and have a stake in its success.”
Wide-ranging topics explored via talks, panel debate and breakout sessions included Cheshire and Warrington’s role in UK PLC and ensuring the region builds on the foothold it occupies in the national and global economy, where the biggest growth opportunities lie, particularly in energy, decarbonisation and advanced industry, how devolution connects to the national growth mission and the importance of ensuring physical infrastructure such housing, transport, health and digital provision is planned together.
CWCA chair Cllr Gittins told the conference: “We already have significant strengths: a high-performing economy, world-leading businesses and nationally important clusters in life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, nuclear and innovation.
“But we should not confuse current success with reaching our potential. Opportunities such as ORIGIN at Ellesmere Port, the transformation of Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay and the continued growth of Alderley Park are of national significance and capable of driving long-term prosperity.
“That is why growth sits at the heart of this Combined Authority. Not growth for its own sake. Growth because it creates opportunity. Growth because it improves lives. Growth because it enables us to invest in the things that matter to our communities.”
And the launch of the Independent Economic Review she said would “ensure our decisions are grounded in evidence and shared ambition”.
She added: “The most important part of today is collaboration. Partnership isn’t something we need to invent in Cheshire and Warrington. It’s one of our greatest strengths already. Progress comes when businesses, councils, colleges, universities, public services and communities work in alignment.
“That is how this Combined Authority intends to operate: open, collaborative and focused on shared outcomes. Today’s conference isn’t simply about launching a Combined Authority. It’s about beginning the next chapter of Cheshire and Warrington’s story.”
