Annual Review 09-10i:Layout 1
9/7/10
09:37
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Supporting the region in challenging times During the 2009/10 year, the Agency’s strategic role in providing clear, coordinated and timely economic support to the region has been crucial whether that’s through supporting existing businesses, encouraging new start-ups, improving workforce skills, or stepping in on key development schemes at risk of stalling. Our first priority has been to maintain a close dialogue with businesses to ensure that quick, flexible and tailored support is in place to help them through the downturn. In addition, we have also played an instrumental role in helping key development projects stay on track, bringing forward investment of £20m to ensure long-term regeneration and economic growth was not put at risk. Of course, the region faced other significant challenges this year including the Cumbria floods in November 2009, which had a sudden and severe impact on both businesses and communities in an already tough economic climate. Working with local partners, the Agency quickly put in place an investment and support package to help businesses get back on their feet, providing our first grants just 14 days after launching the Flood Recovery Grant scheme. As you will no doubt be aware, the Regional Development Agencies are in a period of transition. Recently, the Emergency Budget confirmed the coalition Government’s intention to replace RDAs, and to encourage the development of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). This process will begin with a White Paper to be published in the autumn.
We understand that in those regions where a regional approach to economic development is supported by businesses and local authorities, proposals on that basis will be welcome. In the Northwest, we are working with partners on such a proposal. Of course, partnership working has always been the Northwest’s strongest asset and without it, we wouldn’t have seen projects such as MediaCityUK, Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus and European Capital of Culture become a reality.
Whatever the detail of future arrangements, it is extremely important that we maintain the strong sense of momentum that has been crucial in the region to support economic recovery. The Government has set out a new course for the future delivery of economic development and our responsibility is clear – to support and assist Government and its partners to deliver these objectives. We must make sure that we work together to ensure a smooth transition during this period of change.
Robert Hough Chairman
Steven Broomhead Chief Executive
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