http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/AR_BP

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Annual Review 2005-2006 Business Plan 2006-2007

The Northwest Regional Development Agency PO Box 37 Renaissance House Centre Park Warrington WA1 1XB Tel: +44 (0)1925 400 100 Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400

www.nwda.co.uk www.englandsnorthwest.com www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

Printed on Zanders Mega Matt

June 2006 NWDA G5-13

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Contents

Foreword

Annual Review 2005-06 & Business Plan 2006-07

Annual Review 2005-06 & Business Plan 2006-07

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Foreword

2

The Northwest Economy

Annual Review 3

Business

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Skills and Employment

8

People and Jobs

10

Infrastructure

12

Quality of Life

Business Plan 14

Business

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Skills and Employment

17

People and Jobs

18

Infrastructure

20

Quality of Life

22

Board & Executive

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Resources & 2006/07 Targets

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Publications

Since the launch of the last Regional Economic Strategy (RES) in 2003, England’s Northwest has made significant progress. During this time, the Agency has done much to provide economic leadership and I am pleased to introduce this publication that outlines our most notable achievements in 2005/6 and sets out our strategic objectives and key priorities for next year.

In Business Support, the development of the future Business Link service in 2006/7 is critical to enable the region to compete in the global marketplace. Similarly, supporting major research concentrations and exploiting our world-class science base will ensure that the region is at the forefront of innovation and offer opportunities for businesses across the region.

2005/06 was a critical year for the NWDA as the Agency was one of the first Regional Development Agencies to be assessed by the National Audit Office (NAO). I am delighted that the NWDA was awarded the highest ranking possible, ‘Performing Strongly’. The assessment recognised key strengths of the Agency, including the very high quality and commitment of staff, strong partnership working, effective leadership ability, strong financial control and excellent record of achieving outputs. The assessment also included an improvement plan for the Agency that will be a focus for activity throughout 2006/7.

Blackpool’s continued regeneration is significant for the whole region with a critical decision on its regional casino bid expected in early 2007. The likely job impact of a positive decision will be felt well beyond Blackpool, together with opportunities across the region from increased numbers of visitors.

The NAO also praised the review and development of the new Regional Economic Strategy (RES) which was one of the most significant events in 2005/6. The quality of debate throughout the consultation period was impressive and has led to a clearly prioritised strategy based on a strong understanding of the challenges before us and the actions that are needed to deliver a dynamic, international economy.

By prioritising specific areas which will have the greatest impact on our economy, this is our most focused RES yet.

All of the 122 actions listed are important, but for the first time, 45 of these are designated as transformational actions that the region must prioritise to drive growth.

Transformational actions will dominate the Agency’s own priorities for 2006/7 and these are outlined throughout this publication. The Agency has set itself a core set of strategic objectives to deliver its contribution to the RES including providing leadership on major policy issues, improving its operating structures and delivering transformational projects with partners.

One such project is the creation of a Media Enterprise Zone linked to the BBC relocation. This is not just about the BBC moving to Greater Manchester, it offers real opportunities for all those involved in the creative industries across the region by significantly expanding this region as an internationally competitive media hub.

The provision of high quality Higher Education across the region is prioritised with the development of a University for Cumbria highlighted within the RES. The Northern Way will continue to be important as we seek to close the productivity gap between the North and the South.

It is important to note that the RES is not a stand-alone document. As a region we have been very successful in working together to align and integrate all of our strategies and this will be increasingly important in the coming months.

The targets set out in the RES are extremely ambitious, which is why it is fundamental that the regional strategy is fully supported by everyone in the Northwest. The challenges we face will not be easy to overcome but through working together, we can ensure that we build on the Northwest’s strengths and seize the opportunities that will make the most difference to our economy.

I look forward to working with you all over the coming months and years as we jointly implement this vision.

Bryan M Gray, Chairman

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The Northwest Economy

Business Annual Review 2005-06

Regional Overview 2005/6 2005 was a critical year for the Northwest economy. After very strong growth in 2000 – 2004, the Northwest faced a tougher international climate in 2005. Despite this, the region responded well to the challenges posed by increased global competition and the regional economy grew by 1.5%.

Access to the region was greatly improved in 2005 with the West Coast Main Line opening faster connections between Manchester and London, more than twenty new services starting at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, government support for the second Mersey Crossing and a steady growth in passenger numbers at Manchester Airport.

Across the region there were substantial success stories.

The Northwest’s regional export value increased to £19.1 billion in 2005, up 12% from 2003. Liverpool was the UK's fastest growing metropolitan city with economic growth at 5.9%.

Significantly, the region also agreed economic development, housing and transport priorities for the first time making a clear case to government about what schemes should be prioritised to meet our economic objectives.

Trends in employment intensified. Manufacturing in the region remained highly competitive but continued its transformation with traditional industries making way for high-technology sectors, with chemicals and electronics/ electrical engineering leading the way.

Financial and business services continued to drive growth in the Northwest. The sector accounted for almost 20% of total regional output and grew more than twice as fast as the economy as a whole with output growth at 4.5% in 2005. JP Morgan invested in the region with the opening of their new arm JP Morgan INVEST bringing 450 jobs to Merseyside. The Bank of New York also expanded their operation in Manchester, bringing a total of 800 jobs to the city. However, despite this growth, much more work is needed to ensure that service sector companies continue to increase their productivity to help the region close its GVA gap.

Highlights include: • Investment of £50 million in Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus • Development of the Business Plan for the future Business Link service in the region • Substantial investment in a new Centre for Tropical and Infectious Diseases at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine • Major support for the development of a Media Enterprise Zone in Greater Manchester 1.

Advancing scientific growth Recognising science as a key economic driver, the Agency has continued to invest in the region’s scientific research base and industry-university collaborations.

The Northwest’s reputation as a leader in scientific and medical research was cemented with a number of developments. In November the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced a grant of £29 million for the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to continue its international research programme into malaria. Work on photon science was stepped up following the launch of a £40 million world-class research institute at the University of Manchester. April 2005 saw the creation of the flagship Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in West Cumbria which will oversee the government’s £48 billion nuclear clean-up programme creating over 100 new jobs in Cumbria.

This year the NWDA launched the £15 million North West Science Fund, to build on the region’s growing reputation as a leader for science and innovation. Bringing together the academic expertise of Northwest universities with the commercial focus of industry, the fund provides a major resource to speed up the transfer of scientific discoveries into world-class commercial products.

The new Regional Economic Strategy, developed by the region in 2005/06 and endorsed by Ministers, sets out a clear vision for the region’s economy and identifies specific priority actions to meet the economic challenges and opportunities of the next ten years.

Lastly, the Science Fund is also investing in the development of the Fourth Generation Light Source (4GLS) prototype, a state-of-the-art suite of accelerator-based light sources. If the prototype is successful, it will place Daresbury Laboratory in pole position to secure the government investment needed to enable the full 4GLS facility to be built, a potential £230 million investment.

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Among the initiatives being pioneered is the world’s first centre to undertake zoonosis research in Liverpool. The development of this multi-disciplinary centre of excellence, which will research infections transmissible between animals and humans, will form a national focus in this area for government, industry and the public.

Key Facts:

In Manchester, the fund is supporting the UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration, helping to develop small calibre artificial arteries, skin repair products, cartilage regeneration and nerve repair techniques, while additional investment to develop a state-of-the-art stem cell research centre will place the region at the cutting edge of advances in this field.

England’s Northwest is a £98 billion economy with 6.8 million people and 230,000 firms.

The performance of the Northwest economy has been steadily improving since 2000, growing at 5% in 2004, a higher rate than the UK average.

Within the region there were 7,139 recorded exporters in 2005 with a regional export value of £19.1 billion.

Recent inward investment has created 23,000 jobs, with a broadly equal split between services and manufacturing.

The region is one of only three regions to contribute positively to the UK balance of trade, with exports dominated by organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

1. Daresbury Innovation Centre 2. Liverpool Science Park

A collaborative venture to help position the Northwest as a leading region for laser engineering is also being developed, while the establishment of a regional centre of excellence in composite materials for use in the automobile and aerospace industries will lever in over ten times the initial investment for the project.

The Agency’s doubling of its investment in Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus to £50.3 million has reaffirmed the site’s reputation as a scientific centre of excellence. A significant part of this new investment is for the Cockcroft Institute, the UK’s National Centre for Accelerator Science. In Liverpool, the Liverpool Science Park was officially opened in January and is now home to 10 high-technology companies.

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Business Annual Review 2005-06 4.

4. The Bank of New York, Manchester

Enabling innovation and enterprise The Agency has undertaken a major review of business support in the region to ensure that high quality and relevant support is available to new and growing businesses. A key milestone was the NWDA Board’s approval of the Business Plan for the future Business Link Service in the region. This is aligned with the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and will take effect from April 2007.

Further investment in the sector was made by Bionow, which has funded new equipment for the University of Manchester’s Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), set to become an international centre of excellence in the advancement of treatments for cancer and brain disorders.

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Industry continued to sharpen its competitive edge through the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), delivered by the Manufacturing Institute. Northwest companies now achieve the highest regional output of all the English regions (£19.5 billion), the highest employment (423,000) and the highest investment (£2 billion).

Recognising the importance of all groups to the regional economy, the Agency has provided support to help improve the enterprise contribution of women, black and ethnic minority-owned businesses and social enterprises. The development of sub-regional action plans is providing a template for specialist support, including skills training, business advice and mentoring.

With the region’s creative industries contributing in excess of £3 billion to the regional economy, the Agency continues to help the Northwest develop a prosperous creative sector. Taking a lead in supporting the relocation of several BBC departments to the Northwest, the NWDA is working closely with all partners to ensure the region gets the maximum economic benefit from the associated development of a Media Enterprise Zone.

Reinforcing the important area of energy research and development is the Joule Centre, an alliance between the Agency and Northwest universities to initiate and coordinate research into strategic energy issues from demand-side management to low carbon technologies.

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6. Liberata’s National Centre of Excellence, Barrow-in-Furness

Investment success Foreign-owned companies gave the Northwest economy a major boost in 2004-05* by investing in over 92 business and industrial projects, almost 30 more than the previous year, and creating and safeguarding 7,966 jobs, one of the highest figures of any region in the UK. Figures released by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) show that the NWDA played a key role in 55 of these projects, and, with partners, helped to create 3,421 jobs and safeguarded a further 2,528.

1. The Manufacturing Advisory Service

Offering sector-specific advice and support to key growth sectors, including biotechnology, creative industries and energy, continues to be a key goal for the Agency. Through the Regional Business Advisor programme, now in its second phase, support was offered to over 100 SMEs, helping them to increase their turnover to £323 million.

3. Supporting the BBC’s relocation to Greater Manchester

2. Research at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

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Solid evidence of the increasing confidence in the region as an international business location, JPMorgan INVEST established a new pension business in Liverpool with Agency assistance, creating 450 local jobs.

The Agency and MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, are working together on a 3-year strategic partnership to build upon the city’s position as one of Europe’s most sought-after business locations.

Collaborative successes in this area include the State Bank of India’s decision to locate to Manchester and the Bank of New York’s continued investment in the region, which has led to the creation of 800 new jobs.

Working in partnership, the Agency has also supported a number of investment projects through the Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFI) scheme. Projects included a grant for Liberata, one of the UK’s leading providers of outsourced business processes, to establish a new business centre in Barrow-in-Furness, creating 200 jobs for the town.

The Agency continues to stimulate the establishment and development of high-growth companies. During the year, £5.8 million investment was received from business angels registered with the Agency’s TEChINVEST service, together with the region’s seed and venture capital funds, levering an additional £53.8 million from the private sector.

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5. JPMorgan INVEST, Liverpool

The Agency’s intervention is placing the region at the forefront of biopharmaceutical progress. A £9 million NWDA investment to fund a new Centre for Tropical and Infectious Diseases at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was matched by the Merseyside Objective One programme, and levered in a further £29 million from the Gates’ Foundation to fund a fast-track mosquito control programme.

* Latest figures available.

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Skills and Education Annual Review 2005-06 4.

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Highlights include: • The development of a major project to establish a University for Cumbria, including working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to develop Nucleus • Building leadership capability in the North through the Northern Leadership Academy • Ensuring that the Regional Skills Partnership exercises maximum influence over the budgets of skills agencies in the region As the lead Regional Development Agency (RDA) for employment, skills and higher education, the NWDA is leading a number of programmes to build a skilled workforce relevant to the needs of business and industry.

The Agency is playing a key role in the government’s National Skills Strategy through the development of the Regional Skills Partnership (RSP), which brings together the collaborative resources of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), JobCentre Plus, Higher Education and Sector Skills Councils to better meet the needs of employers in the Northwest.

The strengthening of the LSC’s presence in the region will enable the RSP to ensure that LSC resources meet the priorities of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES).

Capital investment Developing the region’s higher education infrastructure is fundamental to improving access to high quality learning and teaching. With access to higher education a particular issue in Cumbria, the Agency is working with partners to establish a University for Cumbria, which will widen higher education opportunities within Cumbria and build a portfolio of courses to attract students and postgraduates from other parts of the UK and overseas.

Linked to this, the Agency is working closely with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in West Cumbria on two projects which will help to establish the area as a world leader in nuclear decommissioning. Developments underway include Nucleus, a world-class training and business support centre to address the skills issues facing the nuclear sector, and a National Nuclear Skills Academy, of which Nucleus will form one of the first delivery arms.

Facilitating the growth of existing education institutions also forms an important part of the Agency’s vision to boost our skills base. Construction work is currently underway on the

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development of a new £27 million campus at Warrington Collegiate, which will include a business school, technology centre and construction skills centre. In Salford, the development of an Innovation Forum Centre based at Salford Innovation Park, will bolster Manchester’s reputation for innovation, creativity and knowledge.

Delivering the skills required by priority sectors is essential to support their growth. Manchester’s New Technology Institute at One Central Park, led by MANCAT with Agency support, has been designed as a one-stop-shop offering adult training and employment opportunities in the technology sector.

In Merseyside, the needs of the construction sector are being addressed through the Agency-funded Construction for Merseyside initiative, a unique programme which will help to create a large and highly-skilled workforce for local construction businesses.

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1. Merseyside’s booming construction industry 2. Manchester Technology Institute 3. Sellafield, Cumbria

Showcasing skills The Agency has continued to invest in career development for individuals, based on a clear understanding of business needs. A number of interactive events were held throughout the year to engage young people and adults in exploring the career opportunities available in the region.

Careers practitioners working with 14-19 year olds were given an insight into working with employers from key sectors at a regional conference held by Careers Northwest, the online careers service which was developed and funded by the NWDA. In November, Manchester hosted SkillCity. The event attracted over 30,000 young people from over 2,000

schools from across the region, who were able to try their hand at a wide range of careers and listen to expert advice.

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Promoting an enterprising culture, particularly among the region’s young people, plays an important role in nurturing future talent for the Northwest. Two events, Business Enterprise Exchange and The Next Big Thing, were held as part of National Enterprise Week and were aimed at providing young people with the confidence, skills and inspiration to turn business ideas into reality.

The Northern Way Following the launch of the Northern Way Growth Strategy in 2004-05, two key projects to boost leadership and tackle basic skills shortages in the Northwest have been developed.

The Northern Leadership Academy is a £5 million initiative to strengthen leadership across the North of England. The Academy, led by a consortium of Lancaster University Management School, Leeds University Business School and the University of Liverpool Management School, aims to build a more entrepreneurial North by developing new ways of building leadership capability in both existing leaders and those with leadership potential.

The vision of the Northern Way to improve employability and reduce worklessness through pioneering initiatives is also helping to deliver the basic skills required by employers. Knowsley Works is an innovative Northern Way project to enable 3,000 longterm Incapacity Benefit claimants to move back into employment.

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4. Engaging young people to be The Next Big Thing 5. Developing skills at the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre 6. SkillCity, Manchester 7. Launch of the Knowsley Works programme

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People & Jobs

People & Jobs

Annual Review 2005-06

Annual Review 2005-06

Highlights include: • Establishing Sub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs) to lead the development of sub-regional action plans and deliver the RES • The start on site of the Kings Dock Arena and Conference Centre on Liverpool’s waterfront • Working with ReBlackpool to progress an ambitious Masterplan for Blackpool’s regeneration

Regenerating our towns and cities The Agency’s work to ensure that the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) is supported at a sub-regional and local level has continued throughout the year with the establishment of Sub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs). In addition to leading on the delivery of specific RES actions, each SRP has responsibility for the development of 3-year action plans, which will be updated annually.

Work has also continued on the Northern Way Growth Strategy, the collaborative initiative to drive economic and physical renewal across the North of England. With eight city regions across the North being identified as engines for growth, the Agency is now working closely with partners in Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire to prepare their city regional development programmes. These plans will be key in setting out major challenges for each city region and providing an overview of their economic development potential.

The regeneration of the region’s towns and cities remains a priority in driving forward economic growth and the Agency continues to work with Urban Regeneration Companies in developing and implementing masterplans for the transformation of their areas.

New East Manchester’s £6 million restoration of the historic Gorton Monastery will be an important catalyst for the regeneration of the area, attracting visitors and future investment, while a three-year programme of work to enhance the Medlock Valley is creating a high quality leisure facility for East Manchester.

1. RENEW Northwest championing design excellence 2. Gorton Monastery 3. Blackpool’s Masterplan

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In Liverpool, changes to the city’s skyline continued with construction teams on site at Kings Waterfront. The £146 million mixed-use development, co-ordinated by Liverpool Vision, will incorporate a multi-purpose arena and conference centre, exhibition space and public piazza. Delivered in time for the city’s Capital of Culture ’08 celebrations, the development is set to become an international destination for business and leisure.

Plans to secure the future of the Port of Barrow have also progressed this year with the first stage of the town’s £60 million masterplan, led by West Lakes Renaissance, now in place. Following the acquisition of land required to take forward the redevelopment of the Port area, plans are underway to create an employment park, housing development and marina and watersports complex. The development is expected to lever in an additional £100 million of private sector investment.

In Lancashire, the Agency is working closely with ReBlackpool to implement the town’s masterplan and is supporting Blackpool’s bid to secure the regional casino pilot.

Supporting rural growth The Agency continues to work hard to diversify the rural economy and provide new economic and social opportunities for rural businesses and communities.

Lancashire Economic Partnership-led scheme which will also examine the transport needs of local communities and encourage rural enterprise.

The Agency is spearheading a number of initiatives to help the region’s market towns regain a pivotal role in economic and social life.

Benefiting from the Agency’s Market Town Initiative is Neston, Cheshire, whose £1 million investment programme has a focus on encouraging business start-ups and the development of a resource centre to address the skills needs of local residents and employers.

Improving the competitiveness of primary agriculture also remains a key objective. In Cumbria, HRH The Prince of Wales launched Junction 38, a facility enabling farmers to tap into the growing market for organic, locallyproduced red meat. Supported by the Agency via Rural Regeneration Cumbria, the processing facility will enable profits to be passed back to farmers, helping to improve their productivity.

In Lancashire, the Agency is driving forward the development of Community Resource Centres as part of the Rural Pathfinder project, a

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Outside the main urban areas, other programmes are underway to aid regeneration of local areas. In Cheshire, Agency support has enabled the completion of the central 1 section of Chester’s Old Port promenade, improving access to the town centre, opening up a previously closed walkway for pedestrians and cyclists and improving the city’s tourism offer.

The Agency is also helping to ensure good design is embedded in projects across the Northwest. RENEW Northwest, the regional champion for regeneration excellence, has hailed five regeneration projects across the Northwest as best practice partners, rewarding them with Exemplar Learning status.

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5. Barrow Waterfront 6. Steven Broomhead views plans for Liverpool's Waterfront 7. Promoting regional food

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Infrastructure Annual Review 2005-06

Highlights include: • Significant progress on major strategic sites, including One Central Park and the key Kingsway site in Greater Manchester • The development of the Regional Funding Allocations, a critical document which advised Government on agreed regional transport, housing and economic development priorities • Key milestones on major infrastructure projects in Liverpool, including funding approval for a £19 million cruise liner facility

Creating 21st century business locations The Agency has made progress in priming the region’s portfolio of strategic sites for investment, working closely with the private sector on a number of developments across the region.

Reclamation of brownfield land is a key priority in increasing the value of the Northwest’s natural environment, a sector worth in excess of £4 billion. Through Newlands, the £23 million joint venture between the NWDA and the Forestry Commission, sites at Moston Vale (North Manchester) and Bidston Moss (Wirral) are now being transformed into community woodlands, boosting economic conditions and providing recreational facilities for residents and visitors.

Supporting careers within the environmental and regeneration sectors remains key in ensuring that the Northwest has the skills base to meet future employment needs. A new programme, Sustainability Mentoring NW, partfunded by the Agency, brings together experienced professionals in these sectors with university students across the region, in a mentoring scheme that is helping to raise the profile of the sustainable industries and contribute to the development and retention of graduate talent.

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3. Creating community woodland at Moston Vale, North Manchester 4. The Mersey Gateway

Setting regional priorities

In Greater Manchester, the £350 million, 170-hectare Kingsway site is underway. The NWDA is investing £31 million into the Park’s development which, when completed, will attract large scale inward investment and growing local businesses, contributing upwards of 7,000 new jobs for Greater Manchester and the Northwest. The first premises will be ready for occupation in early 2007.

The £18.5 million One Central Park in Manchester has opened its doors to begin delivering research, development and education facilities on the UK’s first urban ICT business park. The development, led by the Agency, aims to capitalise on Manchester’s knowledge industry and is expected to create more than 100,000 new jobs in East Manchester over the next 10-15 years.

Encouraging sustainable development

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The NWDA continues to use its strategic influence to advise government on regional priorities. Working in partnership with the North West Regional Assembly and Government Office for the North West, the Agency developed the Regional Funding Allocations, a key document which sets out agreed housing, transport and economic development priorities for the region. One major priority, the Mersey Gateway, has since gained government support.

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Developing transport solutions

In Chorley, planning approval has been granted for the Royal Ordnance Factory site where a £20 million investment by LEX Auto Logistics is expected to generate over 2,000 jobs and attract businesses to the area.

Following a strategic review of its property assets, the Agency is establishing a joint venture to have responsibility for the management of, and investment into, its property portfolio. The creation of a 50/50 Public Private Partnership will enable the Agency to get the best value out of its property assets.

1. Kingsway, Rochdale 2. Education facilities at One Central Park, Manchester

Liverpool’s waterfront was provided with a welcome boost this year, with the approval of a £19 million cruise liner facility - £10 million of which will be invested by the Agency. The size of the new berth will mean that some of the world’s most famous liners will be able to drop anchor in Liverpool and more than 25 cruises are expected to call at the city each year by 2009, carrying an extra 250,000 visitors.

The largest, the Edge Lane Project, is a comprehensive regeneration scheme that will create an improved gateway to Liverpool. Led by Liverpool Land Development Company and funded by a Partnership including the NWDA, the programme will also see the development of mixed residential, leisure and commercial development and is expected to lever in £120 million of private sector investment.

With visitor accessibility playing an important part in Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008, a number of schemes are being brought forward to reduce congestion, enhance the local environment and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians.

Other improvements also being undertaken in Liverpool include the City Centre Movement Strategy, a programme supported by the NWDA and the European Regional Development Fund, which aims to create a sustainable transport system and improve accessibility in and around the city centre. Two major schemes have already been completed as part of the programme.

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Quality of Life Review 2005-06

Highlights include: • Major support for the region’s cultural and creative industries including investment in Liverpool ‘08 as an official partner • Generating £16 million for the region through support for major sporting and leisure events, including the Tour of Britain Cycle Race and Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup • Pioneering research into the impacts of climate change on the visitor economy

Strategic tourism leadership number of recommendations about how to counter the physical effects of climate change and help maintain a quality visitor experience.

In partnership with Defra, the Agency has spearheaded research into the long-term effects of climate change on tourism in the region. The first major report of its kind, the study makes a

Reinforcing the importance of excellence in customer service was a theme echoed across a number of events and initiatives throughout the year, including the second regional

tourism conference at Rheged, Cumbria, and the Welcome to Excellence initiative, the national customer service training programme delivered to tourism businesses in the Northwest by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.

Developing tourism appeal and marketing the region

A spectacular installation on Crosby beach by Angel of the North sculptor Antony Gormley was unveiled to critical acclaim. ‘Another Place’, which consists of 100 cast-iron lifesize figures spread out along 3 kilometres of the foreshore, has already attracted 300,000 extra visitors to Crosby, generating additional revenue for the local economy.

Established visitor attractions have also received support in order to deliver new facilities, offer better visitor management and increase visitor numbers. Following a £3.8 million investment and over 10 years of restoration work, Staircase House in Stockport began a new chapter in its history as one of the Northwest’s oldest heritage attractions. A living interactive merchant’s house, the project received NWDA support and is now the cornerstone of Stockport’s £500 million town centre regeneration plan.

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The Agency’s strong support for Liverpool’s successful bid for Capital of Culture in 2008 was reflected in it becoming an official ‘08 partner, investing £2 million to assist the marketing of the city’s cultural programme.

In Manchester, the Agency is also showing support for the city’s creative talent by sponsoring the Manchester International Festival in 2007, the world’s first international festival of original new work.

Supporting major events

With tourism a £3 billion industry for England’s Northwest, it is essential to prepare for future challenges that will face the visitor economy.

The Agency has also supported a number of new and exciting visitor attractions that broaden the region’s tourism offer.

Improving the cultural product

In partnership with Regional Development Agency One NorthEast, the NWDA has also established a new organisation to maximise the economic benefit of Hadrian’s Wall, which will ensure its ongoing conservation and make the international heritage site one of the world’s must-see attractions.

Visitor marketing campaigns have been launched to highlight the region’s cultural and leisure assets. Successes include The Taste District, 50 Fabulous Walks and Gardens of England’s Northwest, which highlighted the region’s many parks and gardens and generated an additional £10 million of tourism business.

Internationally, the NWDA is working with its Northern counterparts on promoting the North as a great visitor destination as part of the Northern Way Growth Strategy.

1. ‘Another Place’, Crosby 2. Hadrian’s Wall, Cumbria

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Major sporting and leisure events have acted as a catalyst for regional efforts to project a positive image of the Northwest and increase visitor spend. Events supported by the Agency in the past year, including the Tour of Britain Cycle Race and Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup, generated £16 million for the region and 13.5 hours of national and international television coverage.

Capitalising on this world-class reputation for hosting major sporting events, the region has also been successful in attracting the 2007 European Hockey Championships and the World Squash Championship in 2008. Both events will be staged in Manchester.

benefits for sport and regeneration across the UK. Working alongside London’s Organising Committee, the NWDA, Sport England and regional partners are developing a comprehensive benefit plan for the region and in January, the Agency hosted a special conference welcoming Lord Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee, to the region.

Attracting business tourism is becoming increasingly important in today’s visitor economy. The Northwest Conference Bidding Unit, established by the Agency to capitalise on the growing conference market, secured 33 conferences in 2005/06, including those to be held by the Labour Party in 2006 and the National Union of Teachers in 2008.

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The region is working hard to ensure it plays a full part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which could generate huge 3. Manchester International Festival

Capitalising on creative industries Showcasing the region’s television and film industry became a major focus of activity during the year, with several new initiatives to capitalise on the Northwest’s creative sector.

In June, the Agency and North West Vision highlighted England’s Northwest as the home of some of the brightest creative talent to over 250 television and film industry professionals at a showcase event held at Manchester Square, London. The NWDA also confirmed a further £1 million investment for the Regional Attraction Fund, an initiative which aims to boost

independent film and television production throughout England’s Northwest.

A new film office for the region was established in Cumbria. Co-ordinated by North West Vision, the office is enabling the county to promote itself as a location for film and television production. With filming for Miss Potter, the Beatrix Potter biopic, now 6. underway, the office is already helping to raise Cumbria’s profile amongst filmmakers and generate jobs for the region.

4. Supporting major events in the region 5. Lord Coe visits Old Trafford, a London 2012 venue 6. Showcasing creative talent at Manchester Square, London

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Business Plan 2006-07 The Business Plan sets out the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) strategic objectives, key activities and resources for 2006/07 and is derived from the second year of our approved 3 year Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan has been refreshed to take into account the new Regional Economic Strategy and the transformational actions in particular. These actions are a major focus of the Business Plan and are highlighted in the text ( TA ).

Detailed internal plans for the Agency’s Directorates are in place to underpin delivery of the priorities set out here.

TA •

Complete reviews for the strategic direction of food and drink, digital/creative industries and business and professional services sectors

TA •

Support the development of a “Media Enterprise Zone” in the Manchester City Region to facilitate the relocation of BBC departments and grow the digital and creative industries sector

TA •

Start construction of the state-of-the-art Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, a new facility in support of the biotechnology sector

TA •

Support the aerospace sector for example through ASTRAEA, a national programme to develop unmanned air vehicle technology

Innovation

Business To achieve the vision set out in the RES, the Agency will focus on developing enterprise and innovation, growing key regional sectors and our strong science base, improving our international competitiveness and ICT use and increasing our focus on sustainability. Actions will include: Enterprise TA •

Develop the Business Link service to help more businesses grow; reshape it to meet both national service requirements and the regional priorities in the RES

•

Implement the 2006 budget announcement to significantly reduce the number of business support products and services

TA •

•

Work with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Sector Skills Development Agency and the Sector Skills Councils to ensure integration of skills brokerage with the Business Link service

TA •

Develop and design innovative products and solutions based on market needs; strengthen links with universities and other centres of excellence regarding new product development

TA •

Work with key partners to enhance business/Higher Education collaboration and knowledge transfer, including promoting knowledge exchange activity funded through the Higher Education Innovation Fund

Science/Research and Development TA •

Support the Northwest Science Council to implement the Northwest Science Strategy

TA •

Promote science in the region and develop a Northwest hub to improve co-ordination of STEM skills related activity

TA •

Support major new research projects, including Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, the recently merged Manchester University, Liverpool Science Park, National Microsystems Packaging Centre, Northern Way N8 research centres and the National Biomanufacturing Centre.

International Competitiveness TA •

Develop a Northwest internationalisation strategy

TA •

Work with the International Business Forum and UK Trade & Investment to raise business awareness of internationalisation opportunities and risks

Consider creating a Northwest Enterprise Forum to provide a co-ordinated approach to promoting enterprise as a career choice and ensure that the enterprise potential of businesses and individuals is unlocked

•

•

Develop a regional enterprise policy in line with RES priorities, including a programme for business start-up and survival and support for social enterprise

ICT

•

Develop the Northwest Business Investment Scheme successor fund to operate from 2009 onwards and create new funds to address the equity gap for funding under £500,000 and between £500,000 and £2 million

Regional Sectors TA •

Develop cluster programmes for RES priority sectors with the regional cluster organisations, with an emphasis on strategic activities, including skills development via the Sector Skills and Productivity Alliances (SSPAs)

Review the Agency’s overseas inward investment offices

•

Implement the revised ICT strategy for the region through the promotion of awareness, skills and harnessing the benefits of the technology

•

Support the ongoing implementation of Project ACCESS in Cumbria

Sustainable Consumption and Production TA •

Implement and develop the business resource efficiency and waste minimisation programme

TA •

Develop and implement a regional climate change action plan

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Skills and Education

People & Jobs

Business Plan 2006-07

Business Plan 2006-07

The skills base of the workforce is critical to the economic development of the region. The Agency will work closely with partners through the Regional Skills Partnership to address skills gaps, complement the work of other organisations and make sure that we meet the skills needs of employers.

The Northwest has significant areas of economic growth, together with concentrations of worklessness and economic decline. The NWDA will work to prioritise four key factors – developing job linkages, growing local employment, improving health and responding to population change – to address the challenges.

TA •

•

Influence the delivery of basic skills via the Agency’s leadership and co-ordination of the Regional Skills Partnership, working with the LSC and JobCentre Plus through the Pathways to Work programme Promote the awareness and image of key sectors to address recruitment and retention issues in RES priority sectors

TA •

Promote sectors and growth opportunities via Careers Northwest, including a specific focus on strategic regional sites

TA •

Support the development of the University for Cumbria, Further and Higher Education provision in East Lancashire and the development of a national Nuclear Skills Academy/Nucleus

•

Further develop and drive forward the Sector Skills and Productivity Alliances to identify and address sector skills priorities.

TA •

Contribute to the development of the 14 to 19 agenda to ensure skills provision meets employer needs

TA •

Drive the leadership and management agenda through the development of a Northwest leadership and management action plan, coaching and mentoring programmes and the development of the Northern Leadership Academy

TA •

Support the “Grow Your Future Workforce” initiative which encourages young people to pursue engineering as a career

Job Linkages TA •

Facilitiate linkage between JobCentre Plus, Urban Regeneration Companies, HMR Pathfinders and sub-regional partnerships, to develop employment initiatives in the priority areas of Halton and Knowsley

TA •

Develop specific initiatives for Halton, Knowsley, Blackpool, Barrow, Liverpool and Manchester, to identify the most effective ways to tackle worklessness and influence the government’s Welfare to Work policy

Local Employment TA •

Support the development and implementation of integrated economic plans for areas remote from economic growth, as identified in the RES - East Lancashire, Blackpool (including Blackpool as the priority location for the regional casino) Barrow and West Cumbria

TA •

Work with Liverpool, Manchester and Central Lancashire city region partners to further develop the city-regional development programmes, oversee implementation of the sub-regional action plans and ensure coherence with regional policy

TA •

Develop links between city regions in the Northwest and growth drivers in adjacent regions

TA •

Support Cumbria partners to develop and implement Carlisle Renaissance; Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance to develop and implement proposals for Crewe, Chester and Warrington; and Lancaster Vision’s plans for Lancaster

TA •

Support plans to ensure ongoing growth in the rural economy as part of the Regional Rural Delivery Framework; implement the Rural Development Programme for England within the region

Health •

Work with partners to produce and implement a Northwest healthy workplace strategy in order to encourage organisation to become health-promoting and tackle the cost of ill-health to business

Population Change •

Work with the LSCs to assist migrant workers to fully participate in the Northwest economy

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Infrastructure Business Plan 2006-07 The Agency’s Infrastructure team is prioritising six areas for 2006/7 – transport, land use, housing, planning, energy and investment – and will work with partners including the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) and Government Office for the North West (GONW) to make sure that spatial, transport and housing priorities are aligned to the RES.

Housing TA •

Work with the NWRA to secure supportive policy frameworks for housing to support wider regeneration.

Planning •

Ensure the Regional Spatial Strategy, local development frameworks and local transport plans support RES objectives Provide support for appropriate applications as a statutory consultee

Transport TA •

Progress the air services development fund alternative measures programme to support improvement and expansion at the region’s major airports and attract more air services to the Northwest

•

TA •

Work with the NWRA and Highways Agency to support demand management and capacity/infrastructure improvements on the Greater Manchester and Cheshire/Warrington motorway network

•

Work with the Northwest Energy Council to develop and implement the Northwest Energy Strategy

TA •

Provide appropriate support for other transport priorities in the RES including improving access to Liverpool city centre, developing the second Mersey Crossing, reducing congestion and implementing the Manchester rail hub

•

Invest in the Joule Centre to undertake energy research and development

Energy

Investment

TA •

Work with airport owners to support improved access to Manchester Airport and to seek priority status for Manchester Airport link road and Stockport relief road.

•

With the NWRA, establish the North West Regional European Partnership and focus its activities on the RES

TA •

Provide policy to support the development of improved access to the Port of Liverpool, including the M57 Seaforth link and rail enhancements

•

Develop a new RES-based regional structural funds programme for 2007-2013 with GONW

•

Work with the NWRA and GONW to follow up the Regional Funding Allocations exercise and prepare the region’s case for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review

•

Explore new mechanisms to stimulate private sector investment in the region

TA •

Provide policy to support the development of Manchester Metrolink phase 3 and effective mass transit for Liverpool and the Mersey belt as part of the Regional Funding Allocation process and through local transport plan funding mechanisms

Land Use TA •

•

Continue work to deliver the 25 strategic regional sites as regional investment sites, knowledge nuclei or intermodal freight terminals, including substantial investment in Rochdale Kingsway and Central Park in East Manchester Continue investment in land reclamation in the Mersey belt (Newlands) and start REMADE in Lancashire.

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Quality of Life Business Plan 2006-07

The Northwest’s quality of life is one of the region’s strengths with three key priorities for the Agency to focus on – developing our culture and image, improving the environment and developing the sense of community in the region.

Culture and Image TA •

• TA •

•

•

Invest in major developments on Liverpool waterfront to enhance its appeal as a world class visitor attraction. This includes the redevelopment of Mann Island as a major new museum (and adjacent mixed-use development); extension of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal; the building of the new cruise liner facility and construction of the Kings Waterfront site, including new conference and arena facilities Undertake marketing campaigns to challenge outdated perceptions of the region and promote it as a vibrant place to visit and a thriving economy to invest in Secure major business, sporting and cultural events for the region and maximise the panregional benefits of Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008

Community TA •

Work with GONW, the NWRA and Northwest Equality and Diversity Group to deliver the regional equality and diversity strategy

•

Develop strong links through RENEW Northwest with the National Academy for Sustainable Communities

•

Promote the voluntary and community sector and enterprise as a key deliverer of public sector services

•

Ensure the voluntary and community sector contributes to tackling social exclusion

•

Establish a Regional Social Fund to provide grants to local communities

Environment TA •

•

Help to secure the Lake District’s economic future through implementing the Lake District economic futures policy statement Promote the productivity gains associated with corporate and social responsibility through the Responsibility Northwest programme

Develop a detailed plan to exploit the potential of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the region, including business opportunities, tourism, training camps and sports participation (working with Sport England)

TA •

Grow the region’s share of the domestic and international visitor markets by highlighting the key strengths of its diverse natural environment and distinctive culture, including continuation of substantial tourism investment

Maximise the benefit of the region’s natural economy by developing a green infrastructure strategy, developing regional parks and eco-tourism projects and improving the landscape through land reclamation

TA •

Develop opportunities for high quality public realm improvements to support priority locations in the RES

•

Conduct an interim review of the region’s tourism strategy

•

Develop strategies for Visitor Information and Business Tourism with the Regional Tourism Forum and Tourist Boards

•

Develop a Tourism Academy to address the specific skills and quality needs of the tourism industry

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Annual Review 2005-06

Business Plan 2006-07

Board and Executive

Resources

The Board

Executive

Bryan Gray MBE DL (Chairman)

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive

Professor Sir Martin Harris CBE DL (Deputy Chairman) David Brockbank

Bernice Law, Chief Operating Officer – Deputy Chief Executive

Joseph Dwek CBE Peter Hensman Cllr Dr Pauleen Lane CBE Dave McCall Cllr John Merry Professor John Moverley OBE Vanda Murray OBE

Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Resources Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Enterprise, Innovation & Skills Peter White, Executive Director, Infrastructure

Brenda Smith Cllr Mike Storey CBE Professor Maureen Williams The Board meets 11 times a year and has 9 formal committees and sub-committees.

2006/07 £m

Business Skills and Education Infrastructure People and Jobs Quality of Life Regional research Legacy RES

142.9 6.1 107.2 81.9 54.7 1.8 38.7

Programme Total

433.3

Business Costs Total Expenditure

55.4 488.7

The planned expenditure will be funded from the following income streams

Cllr Marie Rimmer CBE Anil Ruia OBE JP LLB ACA

RES Priority

James Berresford, Director of Tourism Fran Hulbert, Director of Skills Policy Peter Mearns, Director of Marketing Fiona Mills, Director of HR, Organisational Change & Development Patrick White, Director of Corporate Policy & Partnerships

Funding Source

2006/07 £m

Core funding received from Government DTI funding Funding from EU against Agency projects Income from disposal of land and property Rental income from investment properties English Partnership funding of Coalfields programme Receipts from previously funded projects

400.1 2.4 30.6 30.9 7.8 5.9 11.0

Total income

488.7

Business Plan 2006-07

Annual Public Meeting The Agency’s annual conference and AGM will be held on 4 October 2006 at the Manchester International Convention Centre, Manchester, to review the performance during 2005/06. The Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts will also be published.

2006/07 Targets In line with the new arrangements for Regional Development Agency targets announced by the Government in 2004, the Agency has set output targets for 2006/07 against the indicators that apply to all RDAs. The Agency’s performance against these targets will be published after six and twelve months. Targets for 2006/07 are currently with Government and will be published in full on our website.

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Business Plan 2006-07

Publications

Gardens of England’s Northwest Regional Economic Strategy 2006

State of the Northwest Economy – Long Term Forecast 2006

This document can be made available in the following languages: Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Somali, Urdu and Hindi.

Please contact the Marketing Department on 01925 400 100

50 Fabulous Walks in England’s Northwest

England’s Golf Coast State of the Northwest Economy – Sub-Regional Report 2006

Regional Funding Allocations: The Advice of the Northwest Region

Climate Change and the Visitor Economy

Wealth Bringers: Establishing the Value of Assimilated Entrepreneurs in the Northwest of England

This document can be made available in large print, braille and audio tape. Please contact the Marketing Department on 01925 400 100 www.nwda.co.uk

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Annual Review 2005-2006 Business Plan 2006-2007

The Northwest Regional Development Agency PO Box 37 Renaissance House Centre Park Warrington WA1 1XB Tel: +44 (0)1925 400 100 Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400

www.nwda.co.uk www.englandsnorthwest.com www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

Printed on Zanders Mega Matt

June 2006 NWDA G5-13