Member Article

Cheshire and Warrington outline growth plans for 2030

Business investment and growth plans have been set out for the next 17 years by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The LEP outlined plans at its annual meeting this week to boost GVA by £10bn per annum to £30bn by 2030, while 70,000 jobs could be created in the region along with 70,000 new homes and a population increase of 100,000.

Christine Gaskell, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, commented: “We have economic challenges but also considerable opportunities coming our way from central Government and Europe.

“We are pleased with progress to date and will continue to deliver our milestones to reach the targets laid out in our business plan.

“We will work in close partnership to maximise the benefits from initiatives such as the Atlantic Gateway and proposed HS2 development.”

The Cheshire and Warrington LEP’s aims for the past 12 months have mostly been achieved, with the launch of the Growing Places Fund, which hopes to create 1,000 jobs, as well as the unveiling of the Apprenticeship Hub and Apprenticeship Training Academy.

Infrastructure across the LEP area is also set to improve once The Highways Agency put plans into action to improve three motorway ‘punch points’ in Cheshire.

High speed broadband is also expected to dramatically improve connectivity for businesses and homes in the area.

Christine Gaskell continued: “We already have the best performing economy in the NW. Our ambition is for Cheshire and Warrington to be the best performing economy in the UK and the preferred location for business.

“Our manufacturing capability is of great importance and the message we are delivering is just how strong Cheshire and Warrington is and what great opportunities exist here.

“Our economy has a diverse base: with genuine world-class excellence from motor vehicles to pharmaceuticals, advanced science to logistics, financial and professional services to creative industries.

“We have a compelling message to offer with the large population catchment area, a good managerial and professional skills base and access to graduates as well as national and international transport connectivity.

“2012 has been a busy year with Cheshire promoting its plans for growth to over 400 civil servants in Westminster and targeting potential London based investors through hosted events in the capital.

“With the continued delivery of our major projects, place marketing activity and supporting the development of key employment sites, we will create the right environment for growth.”

Following George Osborne’s announcement last week that LEPs will be given greater powers and will benefit from a Single Pot fund, Cheshire and Warrington hope to push their plans for further growth.

Ms Gaskell concluded: “We believe that our proposal is ambitious and challenging, but necessary if we are to achieve the targets we have set ourselves.

“We also believe that our thinking is consistent with national and European policy; but most importantly of all we believe it is right for Cheshire and Warrington.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .