Inclusive Economy plans announced

West Cheshire has a vision to achieve a thriving and inclusive economy which is greener, fairer and stronger – one that enables all people, places, and enterprises to flourish.

The West Cheshire economy is valued at £10.5billion with 14,000 businesses employing 180,000 people, earning higher average incomes than the national average. The vision is for west Cheshire to achieve a thriving and inclusive economy which is greener, fairer and stronger – one that enables all people, places, and enterprises to flourish.

Health, education, and incomes are all above average, crime is low, and the economy is productive and growing, with specialisms and assets that make it well placed to thrive into the future. The borough has strong economic performance overall, performing at or above national averages and well above most of the North West.

This isn’t however the full picture, Cheshire West and Chester Council is now considering the actions that can be taken to address the pockets of intense disparities in opportunities and incomes, housing, health, and both digital and transport connectivity.

Following extensive consultation last autumn, through workshops, an online survey and conference, the Council’s Cabinet today (9 February) accepted the ‘West Cheshire Inclusive Economy Prospectus & Action Plan 2021’ and agreed that an Implementation Plan be developed.

In partnership with local stakeholders, the Plan identifies an ambitious package of twelve priority actions providing the opportunity to create a more inclusive economy for people, places, and enterprises across the borough.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: “This plan sets out a shared vision for a more inclusive economy in west Cheshire, where the benefits of economic growth and access to opportunities are shared more fairly.

“We know we cannot deliver a more inclusive economy alone, and in the years ahead I look forward to working with the public, private and community and voluntary sectors to create better jobs, deliver better training, and tackle big issues like poverty, climate change, digital exclusion and health inequalities - all whilst working together to keep more of Cheshire's money here in Cheshire, so our local economy can proudly remain as one of the strongest in the country." 

Many of the headline actions can be delivered through co-ordination, greater collaboration, and adaptation of existing teams, organisations, and initiatives whilst some will need additional funding.

Twelve Priority Actions

1. Skills Escalators that bring businesses & education providers together to develop joined up skills & career pathways for key sectors.
2. Increase Green Skills & Jobs
   to help more people to upskill & access green jobs that support green business opportunities in the transition to a net zero economy.
3. Expand digital inclusion
   ensuring access for all through enhancing digital connectivity, infrastructure, equipment, & skills.
4. Nurturing Youth Aspiration
   in communities that are less connected to career opportunities, providing greater information & inspiration.
5. Building Stronger communities
   through targeted regeneration efforts that improve the quality & sustainability of our urban & rural communities and deliver for the most deprived neighbourhoods.
6. Improve transport access to job opportunities
   with increased public & active travel links, increasing connectivity to break down key barriers faced by communities.
7. Support sustainable food & agriculture, & increase natural capital
   through land management that enhances viability, cuts carbon emissions, increases flood resilience, access to local food & greenspace.
8. Create a long-term plan for housing retrofit
   that works in partnership to decarbonise the housing stock to help tackle the climate emergency & reduce fuel poverty.
9. Promote good employment & business best practice
   including paying the real living wage, supports health & wellbeing of workers, & drives innovation, decarbonisation, & productivity.
10. Establish Anchors Network
    of the key public and private institutions, service providers and employers that hold power to transform the inclusivity of our Borough. The Anchor Network has been established including 15 strategically significant organisations that can use their civic, procurement and employment power to drive considerable change and deliver social benefit for the borough.
11. Strengthening Local Supply Chains & Social Value
    to capture greater social value from Council procurement & other anchor institution supply chains.
12. Provide start-up & social enterprise support
    that supports more enterprises to start, survive, and develop, including social & community enterprises & alternative business models.

The Plan is the result of

• Engagement with over 20 public, private, and voluntary organisations in West Cheshire
• Scoping calls and input from council officer groups and boards
• Input from the new West Cheshire Anchors Network -
• Five action group workshops to understand ongoing activity and generate ideas for change
• Engagement with groups and leads on four cross cutting drivers to support and embed these priorities across all proposed actions, including Poverty Truth Advisory Board and Member workshops
• Participate Now public engagement to gain input from residents
• Inclusive Economy Conference to learn from best practice elsewhere and test the proposals