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News
Regeneration Minister Yvette Cooper has launched an £89 million programme to reward councils who come up with radical ideas to transform parks and public spaces. She highlighted the redevelopment of a landfill site at Wirral’s Bidston Moss into woodland and meadows as a model project... Three Northwest councils will share £27 million in government grants to raise the standard of their housing stock and housing management. Warrington (£18.3 million), High Peak (£4.7 million) and South Lakeland (£4.2 million) were each successful with bids to set up Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs)... The region is to receive nearly £2.8 million to extend the funding period for 178 street wardens as part of the Government’s drive to revitalise deprived areas. The wardens are working successfully in vulnerable communities to cut crime and improve the environment... New insolvency legislation has been introduced to promote a ‘rescue culture’ and help more regional companies survive when they get into financial difficulty. The changes, which took effect in September, also abolish the Crown’s preferential claim – benefiting unsecured creditors, many of whom are small businesses...
Whitehall despatches Reducing traffic delays Road hauliers and ordinary motorists can expect major improvements to the region’s road networks over the next few years to ease congestion following recent announcements by the Government and the Highways Agency. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has given his support to the development of £480 million proposals to reduce delays on the M60 motorway in North Manchester. It came in response to the M60 JETTS multi-modal study that looked at congestion between Junction 12 at Eccles and Junction 18 at Simister. Plans for the M60 – to be developed by the Highways Agency – aim to segregate long distance and local traffic. They include construction of a fourth lane between Junctions 15 and 13 by 2011, possible bypass slip roads for Junction 12 at Eccles and quality transport corridors to improve the reliability of bus services. The Highways Agency has also drawn up a 10-year action plan for the M57/M58/A5036 route to Liverpool Docks to aid regeneration by easing congestion, improving safety, promoting integrated transport and protecting the environment.
Referendum process hots up People in the Northwest are to be given a vote on whether they want to see an elected regional assembly. Two other regions, Yorkshire and Humberside and the North East, have also expressed enough interest in the idea for Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to initiate the first moves towards regional referendums. A summary document published by the Government in June showed that most categories of regional respondents in a soundings exercise were in favour of a referendum, including 57 per cent of the largest group (individuals). 86 per cent of unitary councils in the Northwest and 76 per cent of districts were in favour but all three county councils opposed the move. The Boundary Committee will conduct local government reviews in each region as part of the build-up process to a referendum. It’s expected that the first referendums could take place in Autumn 2004.
Event highlights
October 07
October 07-09
An Audience with Jonathan Porritt Challenging conventional business thinking on sustainable development The Lowry Centre, Salford Quays
Festival of Skills A showcase of skill opportunities in Cheshire & Warrington Chester Racecourse
October 08-09
October 14-16
October 23
October 30
Business Enterprise Xchange 2003 Education and motivation for entrepreneurs Manchester International Convention Centre
North West in Europe Conference Building bridges with new member states Corinthia Towers Hotel, Prague
The Manufacturers’ Summit 2003 – Making it Happen Business leaders chart the route to manufacturing success Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Manufacturing Institute Annual Dinner and Awards Featuring some of the best Northwest manufacturing companies The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
October 30
November 08-16
November 11
November 15
Northwest Business Excellence Awards Recognising excellence and innovation across the region The Palace Hotel, Manchester
Kendal Mountain Film Festival Tales of derring-do on the world’s toughest climbs Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
Launch of the Northwest Faith Survey How faith communities contribute to the region Mersey Ferries, Liverpool
Royal Television Society England’s Northwest Awards Showcasing the greatest talents of Northwest TV Grand Central Theatre, Liverpool
November 19
November 24
December 01
December 05
Second Biotechnology Awards Dinner A celebration of success in the biotechnology sector The Mere Golf and Country Club, Cheshire
Mersey Basin Annual Conference A landmark year for waterside regeneration Wigan Investment Centre
BBC North West Sports Awards More honours for the region’s sporting talent Midland Crowne Plaza, Manchester
CBI North West Business Awards More accolades for the region’s business achievers Midland Crowne Plaza, Manchester
Business rate incentive Local councils are expected to gain up to £1 billion over the next three years from the Government’s proposed Local Authority Business Growth Scheme. Consultations are invited by the end of October and the scheme should start in April 2005. It will allow councils to retain money from business rates where there is increased economic growth in their area. Currently the rates are collected and passed into a central pool before being redistributed on a per capita basis. Ministers believe the scheme will create positive incentives for local authorities to work in partnership with business, Regional Development Agencies and other key local and regional players to maximise economic growth.
Other key events 01 06 06
October RENEW Consultation Event JJB Stadium, Bolton Conservative Party Conference Winter Gardens, Blackpool Regional Economic Performance Conference City of Manchester Stadium
For further information: www.nwda.co.uk
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Transatlantic Express New York Improving Coastal & Recreational Waters Conference Blackpool November Local Government Association Annual Economic Regeneration Conference 2003 New Century House, Manchester