Reimagining the West Cheshire Economy – Conference

Cheshire West and Chester Council is holding a conference ‘Reimagining the West Cheshire Economy’, on 23 November at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall and online from 9am to 3pm.

The conference will feature a range of expert speakers talking about what an inclusive economy could mean for west Cheshire and encouraging delegates to feed their views into the emerging strategy. Attendees will include major local businesses, SMEs, charity and voluntary sector representatives and public sector representatives.

Whilst west Cheshire has an economy valued at over £10.5 billion a year, not everyone is benefitting from this. Some areas have higher levels of deprivation, poverty, and life expectancy.

The Council is working with residents and partners to create a new Inclusive Economy strategy, to ensure that all residents, businesses, and places can thrive.

The conference will be lively and interactive, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and offer comments. The conference seeks to enable stakeholders to identify how everybody can all play a part in creating a thriving economy in west Cheshire that works for all. 

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: “We want to hear your views on the economy in west Cheshire, and what should be done to make it greener, fairer and stronger.

“We want to create an economy that enables all of our residents, businesses and places to thrive. You might have concerns about the availability of good jobs or training, you might have thoughts on the role of businesses and large employers and how they can play a role in combating climate change or providing more opportunities for local people. You might have ideas for regeneration projects or how to make our communities happier and healthier. Please join us, either in person or online, to get involved in creating our Inclusive Economy Strategy for west Cheshire.”

To take part visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/inclusiveconference

Agenda Summary

Registration, refreshments and networking from 9am, with the conference starting promptly at 9.30am and finishing at 3pm.

AM

Welcome address

Ideas for an Inclusive Economy – A keynote speech from Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies – discussing the principles of an inclusive economy and how they align to a thriving economic model.

Building an Inclusive Economy – A keynote speech from Gareth Hart, Chair of Plymouth Inclusive Growth Group – discussing how Plymouth integrated inclusive growth into the policies of businesses and organisations across the city and the lessons learned.

Our Inclusive Economy Strategy for west Cheshire – An overview of our prospectus and action plan and their development to date.

Panel Discussion – Hear from a range of sector representatives on what is needed to produce a greener, fairer and stronger local economy.

PM

Delegates will choose to attend two out of the following nine breakout workshop sessions:

Purchase Power    
How can organisations maximise social value through levers such as procurement and employment opportunities? Why is this good for the borough and good for business?

Remaking Enterprise
Exploring alternative business models from cooperatives to social enterprises and beyond.  Their role in contributing to local wealth and the support available for set up.

Building Better Places
How can we leverage geographical planning to build better places? Designing to create thriving, connected localities where the voice of residents is clearly heard and represented in creating places to live, work and spend our leisure time.

Skills for the Future
Discuss our current and future local skills needs and how we can support residents into sustainable employment no matter what their, age, background, or ability.  How can employers create the conditions to thrive at work?

Building Better Futures
How do we better prepare all our young people for the labour market of the future?  How can we extend links between employers and young people and get them ready with the skills, attitudes, and qualities that employers need?

In Work Poverty
Looking at the prevalence of in-work poverty, the causes and how it impacts on employees.  Discussion around how employers could help create the conditions that enable stability of employment and progression to higher paid work.

Bus Back Better?
Discuss the role of public transport and active travel routes in enabling residents from all areas of the borough to access work and how it can be improved.

Accessing our Economy
How could employers and public services make jobs more accessible to residents from under-represented communities?

Cultural Regeneration
How can culture and the arts improve wellbeing, social cohesion, and community pride? How can we support this and make it accessible to all residents?

To take part in the Inclusive Economy Conversation visit:

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/inclusive

until 30 November.

Pictured - Ellesmere Port Civic Hall