20Review%2008

Annual Review2007-2008

Annual Review 08 d:Layout 1 23/5/08 11:07 Page 2

Contents

Foreword

The Northwest Economy

Business

Skills and Education

People and Jobs

Infrastructure

Quality of Life

Policy and Performance

Highlights of the NWDA Business Plan

Board and Executive

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2007/08 was a significant andsuccessful year for both theNWDA and the region as wemade important progress indriving forward our strongambition for England’sNorthwest – to continue thetransformation of our economy.

This publication is anopportunity to reflect on someof the Agency’s keyachievements during the past

year, as well as outline our strategic objectives and keypriorities for this year.

As outlined in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES), it isclear that the focus on investing in significanttransformational projects is already paying dividends andimpacting positively on our economy.

Science remains a key driver for the Northwest economy,and the region’s reputation in this field continues to go fromstrength to strength. Following NWDA investment atDaresbury Science & Innovation Campus, the site has beennamed as one of two national centres of excellence forscientific expertise. With 65 companies now in situ, demandhas necessitated an important next stage of development,led by the private sector.

As the lead Regional Development Agency for employmentand skills, improving the provision of Higher Education foryoung people across the region is essential. Progress hascontinued in a number of areas, notably the University ofCumbria which opened its doors to students in September2007. This achievement follows a number of years’ hardwork by partners to build a stronger Higher Educationframework for Cumbria and will help to retain talentedyoung people in the region.

Elsewhere in the region the Agency is providing thestrategic leadership to help areas with acute economicneeds. Working with ReBlackpool and Government Officefor the Northwest, the NWDA has established aregeneration taskforce to secure Blackpool’s future. A keyaction plan for the sustainable development of the town hasnow been developed and I am pleased to report that thishas received vital Government endorsement.

Economic growth relies heavily on creating places thatpeople want to visit, live, work and invest in, and theregeneration of previously developed land plays a key rolein this. This year has seen further progress on transformingsites across the Northwest, following a £36 millioninvestment for the second phase of the Newlandsprogramme.

Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations are now wellunderway, and a number of key events already held havereally set the standard for what I am convinced will be ahighly successful year for the city and the region. With theaccolade set to generate an additional £100 million for theNorthwest in visitor spend, it is vital that we capitalise onthis.

Of course, there are many other areas in which 2008/09promises to be a watershed year for the Agency and theregion, and it is vital that we deliver on our priorities for theyear.

One significant area of activity will be the management ofthe new £521 million European Regional Development Fundprogramme in the Northwest. This is an important new rolefor the Agency which firmly brings together our regionalpriorities and investment from the EU.

Across our business agenda, a key area of focus will be tocontinue to simplify business support. The establishment ofBusiness Link Northwest in 2007 was a major milestone,however it is important that we continue to focus on makingit easier for businesses to access relevant, timely businesssupport.

The Government’s Sub-National Review also presents uswith new challenges as we work towards an integratedregional strategy for economic development, planning,housing and transport. This means an enhanced role for theNWDA and new ways of partnership working.

The progress of the region over the past 5 years has beenremarkable. Our major cities have experiencedunprecedented growth, we have created over 180,000 newjobs and secured £2.4 billion of investment in the regionfrom the public and private sectors. We have been able toachieve this because as a region we have agreed ourpriorities and have been determined to deliver them. Whilstthe RDA has led this approach, it has involved many otherpartners who have shared our ambition and vision for theNorthwest. I would like to thank you for your continuedsupport in helping to make this vision a reality.

Bryan M GrayChairman

Foreword

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The Northwest Economy

Regional Overview 2007-08

The performance of the Northwest economy hasbeen steadily improving since 2000. Between 2001and 2006 the economy grew by £23 billion (26%) andthe Northwest is now a £111 billion (2006) economy,the third largest in the country, with over 247,000businesses.

The latest economic data shows that the Northwesteconomy continues to grow. In 2006 economic growth(GVA growth) in the region was 4.5%, compared with5.1% in the UK. The rate of growth has improved from3.4% in 2005. Since the turn of the Millennium theNorthwest has shown significant economic growth eachyear, peaking in 2003 at 5.5% (GVA growth).

The Northwest economy is forecast to grow by 1.75% in2008, which would be a sharp slowdown on the 3%estimated in 2007. Growth is expected to recover slightlyin 2009 followed by a stronger recovery in 2010 and2011.

The pattern of growth in the Northwest is expected tomirror that in the UK as a whole. The effect of theeconomic slowdown is expected to be less strongly feltin the Northwest, with growth in 2008 and 2009expected to be up to 0.5% faster than in the UK.However, the strength of the subsequent recovery ispredicted to be weaker in the Northwest than in the UKas a whole.

The full impact of the crisis in the global credit marketshas yet to be worked through and so there remains aconsiderable amount of uncertainty about the prospectsfor the world economy and the UK and its impact on theNorthwest. Growth in the major developed economies isexpected to be considerably weaker in 2008 than in2007, although the consensus view is that US growth willstart to recover again towards the end of 2008.

In the Northwest, all sectors are expected to experienceslower growth in 2008 than in 2007 with the exception ofgovernment and other services. The sharpest slowdownis likely to occur in financial and business services,although it will still grow at a faster rate than any othersector.

In manufacturing, the majority of manufacturers expect toincrease their turnover in the short term, howevernervousness regarding a drop in domestic orders andcontinued weakness in export orders has stimulated afall in confidence in some areas of the sector for 2008.

Increased levels of employment in the services sectorare expected to remain steady, however this may bematched by a fall in confidence regarding short termprofitability in the industry at the start of 2008.

Overall employment in the Northwest rose by just over1% in 2007, overturning the fall registered in 2006. Thiswas dominated by a large number of jobs created infinancial services and business services. The currentoutlook is that employment growth will slow to around0.25% in 2008, before regaining to up to 1% per annumin 2009 and 2010 as the upturn in the economic cyclebecomes established. Financial and business serviceswill provide the majority of the new jobs to 2011 althoughemployment in distribution, hotels and catering isexpected to begin to rise once again.

Migration has become a major national and internationalissue and, as with the rest of the country, the Northwesthas seen a major influx of people from Eastern Europe.In the region there were 51,000 new National InsuranceNumber registrations in 2006/07, accounting for 7.2% ofthe UK’s migration and increasing the size of the region’sworking age population.

In the face of tough economic conditions in the globaland UK economy, there are a number economicchallenges and issues facing the Northwest in the shortterm. The effect of the economic slowdown in thefinancial and services sector will have an impact and itwill be important to monitor whether the region is lessaffected than the sector in the UK as a whole. Inaddition, the region’s manufacturing sector is likely to beaffected by poor exchange rates and high commodityprices.

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Business

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Developing an enterprising culture

A key factor in improving the region’s economicperformance is the provision of an effective andtargeted business support environment and duringthe year, the Agency’s intervention in this area haspaid dividends.

Simplifying business support remains a key issue for theNorthwest and solid progress has been made over thelast 12 months. Business Link Northwest, launched inApril 2007, continues to have a strong impact, providinga single point of contact for businesses seeking support.Nearly 97,000 users contacted Business Link in its firstyear of operation, with 90% reporting satisfaction withthe streamlined service.

A new £8.5 million scheme was also launched to helpbudding entrepreneurs in key target groups, includingwomen, people with disabilities, black and ethnicminority communities and those living in disadvantagedareas. Delivered by a regional consortium led by A4E onbehalf of the NWDA, the new Business Start UpProgramme, accessed through Business Link Northwest,is already achieving tangible results, having facilitatedover 1,000 start ups and generated over 3,000applications from people wanting to move into selfemployment.

Promoting an enterprise culture plays an important rolein developing the talent of the future. To support thisaim, the NWDA established the Northwest’s firstRegional Enterprise Forum (NWEF), made up ofbusiness people across the Northwest to develop,challenge and monitor the success of enterprise activityacross the region. The NWEF acts as a strategicsounding board and advisor to the NWDA, Business LinkNorthwest and other regional partners and aids thedevelopment of appropriate enterprise strategy andpolicy.

Recognising the importance of ensuring that newbusiness start-ups have access to high quality officespace, the NWDA invested £5.9 million in the SalfordInnovation Forum, a 5,000 sq m development at SalfordInnovation Park for knowledge based business start-upsand SMEs. The project is expected to create 55 newbusinesses, which will benefit from the transfer oftechnology from the higher education facilities based atthe Innovation Park.

The new Business Start Up Programme


Business

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Capenhurst Energy Innovation Centre in Cheshire, aunique facility designed to enable start-up companiesand individuals to turn innovative ideas into commerciallysuccessful for the energy industry.

Accelerating the growth of the region’s internationallycompetitive sectors has been a strong focus of theAgency’s business activity over the last 12 months.

The growth of the Northwest’s creative sector continuedwith the signing of contracts and the confirmation of theBBC’s relocation of five departments to Salford Quays.The milestone marked the start of the MediaCityUKproject, which is set to create over 15,000 employmentopportunities and deliver £1 billion to the regionaleconomy once complete. The BBC also increased thenumber of jobs it will relocate to the region to over 1,600.

The region’s reputation as a leader in biopharmaceuticaldevelopment has also been strengthened this year withthe announcement that the Gates Foundation is to investa further $30 million for the Liverpool School of TropicalMedicine to fund an international malaria researchprogramme. Levered in by an earlier £23 millioninvestment by the Agency and the European ObjectiveOne Programme, this brings the total round of fundingfrom the Foundation to over $100 million.

The UK’s National Centre for Zoonosis Research,dedicated to the study of animal borne human diseases,also opened its doors at the University of Liverpool,further boosting the region’s expertise in biomedicalscience. The NWDA invested £1.7 million in the centrethrough the Northwest Science Fund.

The NWDA’s support for the energy and environmentaltechnologies sector is helping to reinforce the reputationof the Northwest as a major player in the industry. TheAgency announced an investment of £1.5 million for the

Growing key regional sectors

Encouraging scientific excellence

Exploiting the Northwest’s science, research anddevelopment base continues to be a key priority for theNWDA.

Key advances in boosting the region’s position as a centreof excellence for scientific and medical research reachedmajor milestones this year, with the first phase of LiverpoolScience Park (LSP) officially opened and work beginningon the construction of a second innovation centre. The new£8 million building, fundedby Merseyside ObjectiveOne Programme and theNWDA, will offer specialistaccommodation andservices for youngbusinesses with new ideas.

Significant achievements atthe region’s flagshipDarebsury Science andInnovation Campusincluded the Governmentnaming the site as one oftwo national scientificcentres of expertise.

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1. MediaCityUK

2. Darebsury Science and Innovation Campus

Increasing competitivenessand investment

The NWDA recognises that success ininternational markets is critical to longterm sustainable economic growth andis working to ensure that the region iswell positioned to respond to thechallenges of globalisation.

This year the Agency, with partners,developed the region’s internationalisationstrategy, identified in the RegionalEconomic Strategy as a transformationalaction. This prioritises developing keysectors, maximising the science, researchand development and higher educationbase, and targeting strategically importantcountries for inward investment and trade.

The NWDA also announced funding worth£4.9 million over the next three years tocontinue to back UKTI North West inoffering businesses support and helpingthem compete on an international stage.

Inward investment gave the Northwesteconomy a major boost in 2007/08. Keyinvestments into the region includedVauxhall securing the new model Astra, tobe built at its plant at Ellesmere Port,safeguarding 2,200 jobs.

Encouraging businesses in the region toexpand and drive innovation is also vital inimproving competitiveness and through itsbusiness finance initiatives, the NWDAcontinues to provide crucial support tobusinesses.

The Selective Finance for Investmentscheme made a number of investmentsthroughout the year, including a £1.95million grant to Zen Internet to support theconsolidation of its operations into a newheadquarters in Rochdale. The investmentby the NWDA will lead to the creation of250 jobs over the next five years.

Another major success was the NWDA and Daresbury SIC’sdevelopment agreement with developer St Modwen to continue thedevelopment of the internationally recognised location for hi-techbusinesses and cutting edge science. The development, across 9 acres,will deliver more than £25 million of private sector investment withpotential for up to 200,000 sq ft of new accommodation and up to1,200 jobs.

Driving the climate change agenda

With climate change an increasingly crucial issue both regionallyand nationally, the NWDA is working hard with its partners to ensurethat the region’s environmental technologies sector capitalises onthe business opportunities created.

In support of these aims, the NWDA announced a £23.5 million portfolioof investment this year to support the delivery of the Northwest ClimateChange Action Plan, which outlines the key priorities that will move theregion towards a low carbon economy by 2020.

Encouraging businesses to deliver resource efficiency savings alsoremains an important issue. This year the Agency announced a £6million investment for environmental support service ENWORKS to helpbusinesses improve their competitiveness and productivity throughenvironmental improvements.

Research into sustainable energy is critical if the region is to achieveclimate change targets. The opening of the NWDA-funded LancasterEnvironment Centre at Lancaster University, a £25 million researchcentre bringing together 300 researchers and lecturers to find solutionsto major environmental problems, will continue to ensure the regionmakes key progress in this area.


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Skills and Education

Meeting the skills needs of the region’s key sectors isessential in driving forward economic growth. In Warrington, the Agency is helping to upskill theautomotive industry through a £250,000 investment in theconstruction of a state of the art Automotive TrainingCentre at Great Sankey High School. The centre isdesigned to address the automotive skills shortage at 14-19 and adult level and will create linkages with localemployers to create new opportunities for students.

The nuclear industry received a boost this year with theannouncement that West Cumbria has been chosen asthe location for the head office of the National SkillsAcademy for Nuclear. The Academy will help to identifyand improve standards and training throughout nuclearindustries across the UK. To underpin the development ofskills needs in the region’s key growth sectors, the Agencyis also supporting other National Skills Academies in theNorthwest, including Food and Drink and Financial andProfessional Services.

Another key area of development in improving the region’sproductivity is promoting the leadership, enterprise andmanagement skills that are vital to company survival andinnovation. The Northern Leadership Academy, which waslaunched during the year, aims to support and stimulateleadership across the North of England. Supported by acollaboration of the three Northern RDAs as part of theNorthern Way, the £5 million Lancaster University-basedacademy provides strategies, resources and advice tocompanies and individuals.

Investing in developing the skills of employees is alsocrucial to improving business competitiveness. Agencysupport for the Trade Union’s Learning For All Fund hasdirectly stimulated employer investment in workforcedevelopment through providing specific, tailored workforcebased training, led by trade unions in partnership withemployers.

As the national lead RDA for employment, skills andtraining, the NWDA has continued to influencenational government policy and lead initiatives todrive workforce development, reduce worklessnessand build a skilled workforce that matches the needsof businesses throughout the region.

Providing the relevant support, skills advice andvocational training to help the unemployed back intowork is crucial in tackling levels of worklessness in theNorthwest. In support of this, the Agency part-funded anew scheme to provide support to recently unemployedresidents in Carlisle seeking new jobs. The CarlisleRenaissance Job Brokerage Scheme has beenestablished to provide pre-employment support, enablingpeople to access training and qualifications linked to realjob opportunities.

Promoting workforce development

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Developing educational infrastructure

Improving access and participation into further andhigher education is crucial to the region’s economicgrowth, helping to ensure that the region’s youngpeople are developing the skills they need foremployment.

A major milestone in delivering the region’stransformational actions for skills development was theopening of the University of Cumbria in September 2007.The NWDA announced initial funding of almost £9.5million for the creation of Britain’s newest university,which will play a key role in helping to grow Cumbria’seconomy and ensuring that young talent remains in thearea.

The provision of further education in Lancashire alsotook a significant step forward as work began on thedevelopment of a new college and university campus inBurnley. The NWDA is investing almost £10 million in theproject, which will create the most up-to-date facilities forBurnley College, incorporating a sixth form centre andseparate skills and adult centre as well as a centre forthe University of Central Lancashire. By 2010 there willbe places for over 1,000 students on degree andfoundation degree courses on the campus which,crucially, will be linked to the needs of employersthrough the Enterprise Park planned at the formerMichelin site.

Cheshire’s further education sector is set to expand withthe £38 million Macclesfield Learning Zone nearingcompletion. The new campus will be officially launchedduring 2008 and incorporates a new college building,high school, sixth form college and joint sports centre,

along with a new building for the college’s EuropeanCentre for Aerospace Training. Supported by a £5 millioninvestment by the NWDA, the new educational campuswill provide a responsive, high quality education servicefor the area, which addresses local and regional skillsneeds.

Warrington Collegiate’s Winwick Road campus was alsoofficially launched by HRH The Duke of Kent. The newcampus, which received vital Agency funding support,provides state-of-the-art learning facilities, including a £5million business school, an award winning hair andbeauty academy and a cabin crew training school, oneof the first of its kind in the country.

1. The Automotive Industry

2. National Skills Academy for Nuclear

3. Warrington Collegiate

4. University of Cumbria

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To ensure that the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) is supported at asub-regional and local level, the Agency has continued to strengthen itsrelationship with Sub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs) throughout the year.Each SRP is leading the development of key action plans, designed toidentify specific economic priorities for their areas.

The regeneration of the region’s towns and cities remains a priority in drivingforward economic growth and the Agency continues to work with UrbanRegeneration Companies (URCs) in developing focused and integratedmasterplans for the regeneration of their areas.

Plans to bring forward a major mixed-use development at West Moorfields,Liverpool, are progressing well, following the signing of a key agreementbetween the Agency, Liverpool Vision URC and Derwent Properties. The siteforms a gateway into the city’s expanding Commercial District and is one of thefinal major development opportunities for the area.

East Manchester’s economic and social renewal continues, with a number ofkey schemes being realised by New East Manchester URC. The £6 millionrestoration of Gorton Monastery is now complete, having been brought backinto use as a conference venue and community resource. The Agency has alsorenewed its commitment to a number of initiatives aimed at getting peopleback into work, including the launch of the first East Manchester EnterPrizeCompetition to support residents starting their own businesses.

Regenerating the region

Last year, supported by a £1.5 milliongrant from the NWDA, Central SalfordURC undertook the acquisition ofland owned on the edge of the RiverIrwell, a project which is set tofacilitate substantial private sectorinvestment and spearhead thedevelopment of public realm work onthe riverside, including a newwalkway.

The Agency’s long-term commitmentto secure new solutions to supportBlackpool’s economic future alsocontinues, with a key action plan forthe sustainable development of thetown having been developed. Led bythe Blackpool Task Force, whichincludes the Agency and partners,the plan sets out how initiatives couldbe developed to attract investmentand create new jobs, and has alreadyreceived vital support fromGovernment.

Other key Agency-funded projectsunderway in the resort include a £2.6million investment for the secondphase of the Central Corridor project,a scheme led by ReBlackpool URCwhich will build on an earlier NWDAinvestment to transform the maingateway into the town, improvingaccess and enhancing the area forvisitors.

Through West Lakes RenaissanceURC, the NWDA is implementing anumber of programmes to regeneratecommunities and encourage newbusiness opportunities in WestCumbria and Furness. This year hasseen significant progress being madeon The Waterfront Barrow-in-FurnessMasterplan, including the start-on-siteof Ramsden Business Park, which willcater for a wide spectrum of businessactivity ranging from managedworkspace, knowledge-based andtechnology sectors and research anddevelopment.

People & Jobs

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Meanwhile, proposals are also being developed to build onWest Cumbria’s strengths in the nuclear industry andtransform the area into ‘Britain’s Energy Coast’, a centre ofexcellence for energy and environmental technologies. The farreaching programme, which includes new business parks andmajor improvements to transport links, housing, health andleisure facilities, will help to create 16,000 jobs and provide amajor boost to the Cumbrian economy.

Outside the main urban areas, other programmes areunderway to aid regeneration. In Cheshire, Agency fundinghas facilitated the development of New Port Business Park atEllesmere Port which, as part of its first phase, is expected tocreate 95 jobs and be a major source of job creation in thefuture.

Supporting rural growth

The region’s rural economy makes a significantcontribution to regional prosperity and the Agencycontinues to work hard to support its ongoing growth andprovide new opportunities for rural businesses andcommunities.

In 2007, the Agency took over responsibility for delivery of theRural Development Programme for England in the Northwest.The programme will allow local stakeholder groups to designand implement a wide range of activities, ranging frombusiness start-ups and vocational training to farmingdiversification, and has already seen community groups inCumbria and Cheshire successfully submitting full applicationsfor their local areas.

Providing timely business support for rural businesses remainsa priority. Following the movement restrictions imposed after2007’s Foot and Mouth outbreak in the South, the Agencymoved swiftly to provide a support package for farming andallied businesses in the Northwest, focusing on marketingsupport and financial advice.

Improving the infrastructure of rural communities also remainsa key objective. Across the region, a valuable service tosupport community-run ventures has received £825,000investment from the Agency. The ‘Strengthening RuralCommunities Across the Northwest’ programme aims toimprove the provision of essential rural services by promotingthe growth of social enterprise.

March 2008 marked the completion of the Agency’s £17million investment in the region’s Market Town Initiative, a keyprogramme delivering social and economic regeneration byraising rural living standards and attracting investment. Over itslifetime, the programme has created over 400 jobs and over130 new businesses.

Securing economic inclusion

Recognising the economic benefits ofreducing health inequalities and promotingsocial inclusion, the Agency has been usingits strategic influence to pioneer a numberof initiatives to get people in hard-to-reachgroups back into work and improveproductivity.

Along with the North West Regional Assemblyand Government Office for the Northwest, theAgency is leading the implementation of theregion’s Equality and Diversity Strategy. Thisfocuses on key areas including tacklingdiscrimination in the labour market, promotingenterprise to non-traditional entrepreneurs andreducing skills disparities.

Health programmes for the region’s workforceare also being developed, following thecreation of a new Northwest HealthyWorkplace Strategy. Led by the Agency andthe NHS, the Strategy aims to reduce sicknessrates and improve productivity.

1. River Irwell Walkway

2. The Market Town Initiative

3. Blackpool Central Corridor

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Infrastructure

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Improving the region’s transport and infrastructurecontinues to be a key priority for the NWDA. TheAgency plays a key role in helping to shape anddeliver national, regional and local policies fortransport, planning, housing and the physicalenvironment, to ensure these are aligned to thepriorities in the Regional Economic Strategy.

Following the submission of the Regional FundingAllocations (RFA) to Government in 2006, whichprovided advice on the region’s housing, transport andeconomic development priorities, a number of significanttransport announcements were made for the regionduring 2007/08.

Plans to move forward with an £85.3 millionrefurbishment of the Blackpool and Fleetwood tramsystem were announced by the Department forTransport, with the government contributing £60.3 millionto the scheme. The investment follows advice to theGovernment from the Blackpool Task Force.

Other RFA road schemes which opened during the yearincluded the A66T (Temple Sowerby) bypass and theA590 High and Low Newton bypass in Cumbria. InLancashire, the development of the Heysham M6 linkroad took a step forward when the scheme was grantedplanning permission.

Improving transport links in the city regions of GreaterManchester and Liverpool is critical to maximising theirpotential for economic growth. During the year, theNWDA announced an investment of £8 million tosupport the enhancement of the existing ManchesterMetrolink service into Salford Quays, helping to facilitatemajor service improvements. With over 15,000 jobs to becreated at Salford Quays once the MediaCityUKdevelopment is complete, these improvements willcrucially improve accessibility between the area and thecity centre.

Manchester Airport railway station is set to benefit fromimproved capacity following Greater ManchesterPassenger Transport Authority’s (GMPTE) approval offunding for a third platform. The new platform andassociated works have been funded by GMPTE, NetworkRail and the Northern Way, which has provided £5million towards the scheme.

The Northern Way is also helping to fund improved railaccess to the Port of Liverpool, including thereinstatement of the Olive Mount Chord. The worksinclude an enhanced loading gauge which will enablemaritime containers to use the rail network to travel toand from the Port.

Transport

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Creating high qualitybusiness locations

The development of the region’s strategic employment siteshas continued to make good progress over the last 12months, helping to boost the region’s appeal as a businessand employment location and attracting investment from theprivate sector.

In Greater Manchester, Rochdale’s flagship Kingsway BusinessPark reached an important milestone as its first occupier,manufacturing company Vindon Scientific, exchanged contractsto relocate to the site. The spine road running through the sitewas also completed, marking another important step forward forthe £350 million development.

The continued growth and development of the LiverpoolUniversity Edge site is crucial to the growth of the knowledgeeconomy in Merseyside. The preparation of an urban designframework and public realm implementation plan has been putin place this year, which aims to accelerate the economic impactand development of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.

Developments in other key employment sites in Merseysideincluded an investment of over £1 million from the NWDA andEuropean Regional Development Fund, which was secured forthe construction of a new business park for Widnes Waterfront.The funding, which is designed to attract growth sectorbusinesses and create over 150 job opportunities for the localcommunity, forms part of a wider investment programme by theAgency and its partners to regenerate the waterfront area.

In Lancashire, Agency investment of £3.75 million has kick-started a three-year programme to regenerate the FreckletonStreet area of Blackburn, an integral part of the wider masterplanfor the town which aims to lever in £40 million of private sectorinvestment..

Investing in newlandscapesTransforming brownfield land into naturalassets plays a key role in attracting privatesector investment, creating jobs andenhancing quality of life for local people.

Throughout the year, the Newlands schemecontinued to make a real difference intransforming brownfield sites in GreaterManchester and Merseyside into communitywoodland. Projects which have benefitedinclude the Belfield scheme in Rochdale, whichhas received an investment of over £1.75million to revive 28 hectares of brownfield landon the edge of the town centre.

To build on this success, an additional £36million was approved by the Agency as part ofthe programme’s second phase. This will seeactivity expanded across the whole region.

Leading sustainablegrowthAs part of its commitment tosustainable development, the Agencyhas continued to focus on improvingthe efficiency of development projects,as the region works towards reducingits carbon emissions.

Greater Manchester’s Bickershaw Collierysite was named as one of two sites inthe North of England to pioneer zerocarbon homes as part of theGovernment’s response to climatechange. Led by English Partnerships andthe Agency, the project will see around650 new homes which meet the mostexacting standards on environmentallyfriendly development.

1. Liverpool’s cruise liner terminal

2. Liverpool University Edge

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Quality of Life

With estimates showing that this year alone will generatean additional £100 million for the Northwest economy invisitor spend, each sub-regional Tourist Board is runningcomplementary programmes to maximise the benefits ofthis once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Themes include adventure (Cumbria), food and drink(Lancashire) and world sport (Manchester), while theAgency is also supporting a major initiative to positionCheshire as a leading destination for gardens. Theinitiative will help to develop quality events and an artsand cultural programme.

Liverpool’s reputation as an international arts capital wasbolstered following the city’s hosting of the 2007 TurnerPrize, the first time the Prize was presented outside ofLondon. An economic impact study showed that over

70,000 people visited the exhibition, generating in excessof £10 million for the city. The NWDA played a key role inlobbying for the events and was a key sponsor.

Elsewhere in the region, other projects to reinforce theNorthwest’s strong arts offering include Halo, the fourth‘Panopticon’, which had its official launch during the yearas part of a series of iconic landmarks for PennineLancashire.

Tourism leadershipWith the Northwest’s tourism industry valued at over£11 billion, it is essential to ensure the region isequipped to take advantage of future opportunities tofurther grow the visitor economy.

Leadership in promoting sustainability is also beingdemonstrated, with the regional Tourist Boardschampioning the Green Tourism Business Scheme andencouraging businesses to reduce energy use and waste.A sustainable tourism action plan is now beingprogressed to encourage action across a wide range ofinitiatives.

Reinforcing the importance of tourism skills is alsoparamount in ensuring the region is home to a productive,talented workforce. To support this, the Agency is playinga leading role in the development of the National SkillsStrategy for the sector, as well as developing plans for aNational Hospitality Skills Academy in the Northwest.

As Liverpool moved into the spotlight as European Capital of Culture 2008, theAgency is working closely with the Liverpool Culture Company on marketing thecity, and the Northwest, to the UK and overseas.

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Developing cultural appeal


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The Agency continues to exploit a number of themes with clearmarket potential in order to capitalise on the region’s distinct rangeof visitor experiences.

Visitor marketing campaigns have been launched to highlight theregion’s cultural richness, including a short film reasserting the region’sposition as a hotbed of cultural talent. Showcased in art-housecinemas in London and the South, the film went on to win a prestigiousnational ‘Campaign’ magazine award.

2007 saw the launch of the world’s first international festival of originalnew work, Manchester International Festival. The Agency was a majorsponsor of the Festival, which attracted over 200,000 local, national andinternational visitors and generated almost £30 million for the regionaleconomy.

A clear area of focus is to promote the region as a businessdestination. Working with key national newspapers, the Agencyproduced four supplements throughout the year to showcase theregion’s business credentials, reaching a combined readership of700,000 business decision makers.

The region has continued to reinforce its reputation for successfullyhosting major sporting and cultural events, helping to project a positiveimage of the region. Major events secured this year include the MTVEurope Music Awards and BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Marketing the region

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(Liverpool), NESTEA EuropeanChampionships Beach Volleyball(Blackpool) and the EuropeanBadminton Championships (Liverpooland Manchester). Major eventssupported by the Agency this yeargenerated an economic impact of £41million.

Following the success of the ParalympicWorld Cup, held in the region since2005, Manchester once again playedhost to the competition in 2008.Supported by the Agency, the eventattracted record numbers of competitorsand showcased the Northwest’s worldclass sporting facilities.

The Northwest is also continuing to workhard to ensure it benefits from theestimated £6 billion of work availablefrom the 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames. This year saw two keymilestones including the development of‘Be Inspired’, the Northwest LegacyFramework for the 2012 Games, and thenational launch of the London 2012Business Network in Manchester. Theservice aims to help regionalbusinesses compete for Games-relatedcontracts.

1. Capital of Culture opening weekend

2. Halo, East Lancashire

3. The region’s culture film

4. London 2012 Business Network

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Quality of Life

Improving the visitor experienceThe Agency has supported a number of excitingvisitor attractions to strengthen the breadth of theregion’s tourism offer.

Liverpool’s position as a gateway to the world wasreinforced following the launch of its £19 million cruiseliner terminal, marked by a special visit from the QE2.The project, which received £10 million from the Agency,will see a total of 23 vessels and 25,000 passengerspass through the city over the next year. This year alsosaw the opening of the city’s Arena and ConventionCentre, also part-funded by the NWDA, which is set toinject £100 million into Merseyside’s economy in 2008alone.

Elsewhere on Merseyside, Aintree Racecourse is buildingon its success for attracting 200,000-plus visitors to theregion each year through the establishment of anInternational Equestrian Centre. Funded by the Agency,the Centre will reinforce Aintree as a setting for the ridingstars of the future.

Established visitor attractions have received vital Agencysupport to develop new facilities and increase visitornumbers, including Liverpool’s centre for contemporaryart, the Bluecoat, which opened its doors for the firsttime since 2005.

In Manchester, the People’s History Museum is beginninga new chapter in its exciting history following a £9 millioninvestment by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Agency.The refurbishment project will help to boost the Museum’sappeal as a world-class visitor destination.

Lifting the design and quality of visitor accommodationalso remains a key priority in ensuring people continue toreturn to the region. This year saw the completion of‘Tourism Connect’, a programme part-funded by theAgency and delivered through Cumbria Tourism, whichhas assisted tourism providers in Cumbria to improvetheir facilities using professional design, businessplanning and environmental advice.

1. Liverpool’s Echo Arena

2. ‘Tourism Connect’ programme in Cumbria

1

2


16

Policy & Performance

Through its Business Plan, the Agency continues tobuild upon the recommendations of its 2006Independent Performance Assessment, in which itachieved a ‘Performing Strongly’ rating. Over the pastyear, a key focus of the Agency’s work has been toenhance its approach to evaluation.

Working in partnership with other RDAs and CentralGovernment, the Agency has implemented a wideprogramme of evaluations that will not only identifyeffective practice to inform future policy andprogrammes, but will also contribute to a robustevidence base for the development of the new SingleRegional Strategy as proposed in the Government’s Sub-National Review.

To ensure the Agency is equipped to deliver its part inthe Regional Economic Strategy (RES), it is vital that wehave an efficient and effective organisational structure inplace. Continuing to develop high-quality peoplemanagement practices and delivering on our equalityand diversity obligations are important factors in theseareas. Clear outcomes of our activity during 2007/08include the Agency signing the Government's SkillsPledge and, following a successful reassessment, beingreaccredited with the Investors in People standard.

Working with our partner RDAs Yorkshire Forward and OneNorthEast, the Northern Way continued to focus on the keypolicy areas that will improve the North’s economicperformance – transport, innovation in industry and leveringin more private sector investment. Good progress has beenmade on specific projects, including investment in theManchester Airport Third Platform, the Nuclear Academy, theOlive Mount freight extension and the Northern LeadershipAcademy.

During the year, the Agency published its 3 year CorporatePlan for the period 2008-2011 following detailedconsultations with partners. This Plan sets out how theAgency will continue to deliver the RES, contribute towardsdelivery of the regional growth objective and implement newresponsibilities and duties arising from both theComprehensive Spending Review and Sub-National Review.

The Agency has continued to strengthen its relationship withSub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs) throughout the year toensure the RES is supported at a sub-regional and locallevel. Each SRP has identified specific spatial opportunitiesand areas for action within Sub-Regional Action Plans. Thesehave been influential in scoping the Agency’s CorporatePlan and setting investment priorities and policies.

The Agency has performed well during 2007/8. We currently expect to meet or exceed our output targets for 2007/08.A more detailed review will be set out in our Annual Performance Report.

* Outputs subject to confirmation 13th June 2008 once all claims received

Table 1: Total Outputs 2007/08

1 Jobs Created and Safeguarded 13,350 16,087

2 Number of people assisted to get a job 1,500 5,853

3 Businesses Created 1,760 1,963

4 Businesses Assisted 15,760 17,615

4a) New Collaborations with the Knowledge Base 550 855

5 Investment Levered (£m) 320 397

5a % of Private Investment Levered 37% 64%

5f Brownfield Remediated (Ha) 238 240

6 Number of adults assisted with vocational training/education 10,000 22,307

6a) Number of adults achieving at least NVQ 2 335 841

6b) Number of adults assisted with basic skills training 490 748

Output Indicator Minimum Target Forecast Outputs*


17

Strategic Priorities• Ensure the successful management of the European

Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme for the Northwest.

• Work with partners to implement the recommendations of the Sub-National Review (SNR) and begin to develop a single strategy for the region.

• Work with sub-regions to ensure that the development of Multi-Area Agreements add value to delivering the region’s economic priorities.

• Work with partners to develop strong housing, transport andregeneration investment proposals to Government through the Regional Funding Allocations.

• Develop plans to take on further responsibilities from Government, including dealing with economic shocks and Train to Gain.

• Review organisational capacity in line with our changing strategic role, as outlined by Government.

Business• Continue to support Business Link Northwest as the primary

access route for business support

• Coordinate the Government’s Business Support Simplification agenda throughout the region.

• Improve the availability of business finance through implementing the new Finance for Business Strategy.

• Deliver development programmes in the Creative and Digitalsectors, including MediaCityUK.

• Support the region’s major science, research and innovation assets, including Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, Manchester Knowledge Capital, Liverpool Science Park and Lancaster.

• Support UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to assist companies in trading internationally.

• Provide regional business support to encourage sustainable resource use and the development of innovative processes and technologies.

Skills and Education• Extend eligibility and improve accessibility for the Train

to Gain Leadership and Management Programme.

• Support the Higher Level Skills Pathfinder, linking Train to Gain activity with Higher Education.

• Support the development of the University of Cumbria and Burnley Higher Education projects.

• Support Further and Higher Education in developing programmes to build a skilled workforce relevant to the needs of business and industry.

People and Jobs• Assist people back into employment through the Liverpool

and Manchester City Employment Strategies and Pathfinders.

• Work with People & Jobs Warrington & Cheshire to address basic skill needs.

• Support activity to tackle worklessness and social exclusion amongst some of the most disadvantaged residents in Cumbria and Lancashire.

• Implement the Regional Equality and Diversity Strategy and develop a regional approach to maximising the contribution of migrant workers and older people.

Infrastructure• Providing investment to Central Salford to maximise the

opportunities from MediaCityUK, in particular creating connections between Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre.

• Work with New East Manchester on the continued regeneration of East Manchester and Ancoats.

• Support the Oldham and Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Programmes.

• Continue to support the development of Liverpool Vision.

• Develop proposals for a new college and university campus inBlackpool and capitalise on private sector development for theTalbot Gateway area of the town.

• Work with West Lakes Renaissance to support the development of Ramsden Business Park and Marina Village, Barrow.

• Develop strategic employment sites including Kingsway and Liverpool Knowledge Quarter.

Quality of Life• Deliver regional marketing programmes to change perceptions

of the region as a place to live and do business.

• Support Liverpool as European Capital of Culture, and the 08 themed years including Cheshire Year of Gardens, Cumbria Adventure Capital, Taste Lancashire and Manchester Year of World Sport.

• Bid for and develop major cultural, sporting and businessevents.

• Implement activity to ensure the region benefits from London 2012, including promoting the region and its key sports facilities as potential training camps for Olympic teams.

• Launch a Visitor Information Fund for high quality capital investment in leading visitor attractions.

• Invest in the region’s attack brands through Chester Renaissance, Lake District Renaissance and in our resorts through the Resorts Regeneration Fund.

Highlights of NWDA Business Plan 2008/09


18

Board & Executive

The Board

Bryan Gray MBE DL (Chairman)

Professor Sir Martin Harris CBE DL (DeputyChairman)

Vanda Murray OBE (Deputy Chairman Elect)

Peter Allen

Prof John Brooks

Joseph Dwek CBE

Peter Hensman

Robert Hough

Dave McCall

Tony McDermott

Cllr John Merry

Cllr Marie Rimmer CBE

Brenda Smith

Prof Maureen Williams

Cllr Susan Williams

The Board meets 11 times a year and has 9 formalcommittees and sub-committees.

Executive

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive

Bernice Law, Chief Operating Officer (currently on secondment at theLiverpool Culture Company)

Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director, Resources

Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Enterprise & Skills

Peter Mearns, Executive Director, Marketing

Patrick White, Executive Director, Policy

Peter White, Executive Director, Development

James Berresford, Director of Tourism

Fiona Mills, Director of Human Performance

Annual Public MeetingThe Agency’s annual conference and AGM will be held on26th September 2008 at the Liverpool Echo Arena andConvention and Centre. This will coincide with thepublication of our Annual Report and Accounts. The AGMwill be an opportunity to review our performance andcontribution during the year.


NWDA i4-18

April 2008

The Northwest Regional Development Agency PO Box 37Renaissance HouseCentre ParkWarrington WA1 1XBTel: +44 (0)1925 400 100Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400

www.nwda.co.ukwww.enw.co.uk/visitwww.enw.co.uk/invest

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