RS2010 Part 1

Introduction - Foreword

Quality of life in the Northwest is very good – according to the New Economics Foundation second best of all the English Regions.  We are, for example, quite rightly proud of our revitalised cities and natural landscapes and this is the region where we all choose to live.  However the quality of life enjoyed by many is not shared by all 6.9 million people of the Northwest and, in addition, the region faces other profound challenges over the next twenty years.

Many of the issues we face, such as inevitable climate change and the need for security of energy and food supply, confront people throughout the UK, and indeed the world. We also need to ensure we are equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities arising from the recession. This region will meet these challenges and indeed, as this Strategy makes clear, we intend to be at the forefront of progress in moving to a low-carbon economy.

Other challenges are however more specific to the Northwest. Our economy is not as productive as it could or should be. There are too few people in employment. We need more homes and they need to be affordable and better quality, particularly in relation to energy efficiency. We continue to suffer from high levels of poverty, ill health and social exclusion, with entrenched worklessness often next to areas of economic success.  

But this region also has internationally recognised assets and opportunities. Liverpool and Manchester are known across the globe. The Lake District is an outstanding landscape that rivals the best in the world. We have internationally important wildlife habitats.  Whether we are talking about Cheshire, Cumbria, Manchester city region, Lancashire or Liverpool city region, what marks out the Northwest – which is larger than half the countries in the European Union – is its quality of people and its diversity.

This diversity is a major strength. There is pride in this region, not only in its history and its achievements but in its potential. Home to the industrial revolution, the rise of the co-operative movement and the advancement of modern science (amongst many other things), people in the Northwest know that certain negative trends, such as growing inequality between this region and others as well as increasing inequality within the region, can be addressed.

But all too often poverty, especially child poverty, ill health and inequality undermine our successes. So in addition to reducing carbon emissions, improving economic competitiveness and delivering better housing, which the Government rightly insists the Regional Strategy addresses as priorities, we believe tackling deprivation, by linking opportunity and need, must also be an explicit major focus to our Regional Strategy.

Therefore we are clear that over the next twenty years this region must:

• capitalise on the opportunities of moving to a low carbon economy and address climate change
• build on our sources of international competitive advantage and regional distinctiveness
• release the potential of our people and tackle poverty
• ensure the right housing and infrastructure for sustainable growth. 

We must tackle all these, however, in a period when less public expenditure will be available.  So we will have to decide which to prioritise in the short, medium and long term. The region therefore faces some difficult questions and choices.  These are outlined in the Strategy, together with strategic options which explore the implications of putting differing emphasis on economic, environmental and social outcomes in delivering the Strategy.  We will be particularly interested to hear your views on these.

Meanwhile, we know that to make progress towards sustainable economic growth, we must take forward nuclear and renewable energy opportunities, develop the region’s international connectivity, create a knowledge economy, develop internationally competitive sectors and companies, and maximise our assets in culture and sport as well as the natural and built environment.

We also recognise that without good education, from early years to higher education, we cannot compete as a dynamic economy nor enjoy life to the full. Good health is similarly inextricably linked to our future fortunes, both in terms of regional wealth creation and specific personal fulfilment. The proposed Strategy has at its heart the belief that our environment and our economy both contribute to quality of life and social cohesion, and that in the twenty first century we must at all times think globally but increasingly act locally. Connecting our remotest communities to opportunities for growth is part of this approach.

We are determined that the Regional Strategy should be ambitious and make a substantial difference.  We believe we can, we should, and indeed we must deliver real change, so that by 2030 the Northwest region is a better place to live, learn, work, visit and invest.

This Regional Strategy Part 1 consultation document is a vital step in realising that ambition.   It provides an overarching vision and proposes high-level strategic priorities where working together we can maximise our opportunities and address our challenges.  It will be followed later in 2010 by Part 2 (and an accompanying Implementation Framework) which will set out detailed policies and actions, both thematic and spatial, to make things happen.   Taken together, both as a guide for investment and a development plan, the Regional Strategy will become the blueprint for the region for the next twenty years, an absolutely key reference point not just for us all in the region but also those in central government departments.

Undoubtedly, one of the major strengths of the Northwest is the mature partnership working we have developed.  Not just the excellent relationship between 4NW and NWDA, which is evidenced by this, the first Regional Strategy in the country, but also with, and between, sub-regions (including city regions, counties and multi-area agreements (MAAs)) and a whole host of stakeholders from the private and third as well as public sectors.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our regional stakeholders and sub-regional partners for their significant contribution in developing this draft.  We now need wider input and views so that Part 1 reflects the hopes and plans of all parts, all sectors and all people of the Northwest and becomes not just a Regional Strategy but the Region’s Strategy.

We look forward to hearing your views.