A phrase I’ve recently taken to using frequently is ‘an
orderly transition’.
It’s a phrase I picked up from a film, not from a political
thriller but instead from taking the grandchildren to see the
rather wonderful Toy Story 3. The phrase ‘an orderly transition’
struck a chord as the NWDA embarks upon our own period of
transition.
It means ensuring a smooth handover from the NWDA to Local
Enterprise Partnerships in April 2012 but its implications echo
through every aspect of our life at the NWDA.
It affects my talented staffs who have contributed a great deal
over the last 11 years towards the economic regeneration of the
region. A significant number of them will be leaving shortly and I
am keen to ensure that throughout the transition process we do our
best to support them and that, despite this upheaval, we protect
what has been achieved in the Northwest, preserve the knowledge and
expertise they have for the new arrangements.
History can be quickly rewritten and it is so important to me
that the role of the NWDA is not forgotten when we talk about such
successes as Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture. The
NWDA were key to making sure Liverpool’s bid was unbeatable and
making the year such a storming success through our continued
support.
The ‘orderly transition’ also affects our many private and
public sector partners. It has been an especially challenging few
months as we have realised the impact of budget cuts on our ability
to support partners and projects. It means that 30 organisations we
currently support will not receive funding from us after March
2011. Around 100 projects were in the pipeline hoping for funding
and our £52million in-year cut has left us in a position where we
are unable to sign any new contracts. This has been a profoundly
challenging period but one where openness and directness were the
best policies.
Where possible NWDA staff will work with partners to help make
their projects a success without the funding they were hoping for
so as to maintain momentum in a fragile economy.
Change must be implemented with foresight and great care. I’ve
been called to give evidence at a BIS select committee enquiry into
the transition and I will stress this point and the fragility of
economic growth. An ‘orderly transition’ is vital to the economy
and future economic development and success of the Northwest.
In times of uncertainty, the unwavering success and headstrong
determination of Warrington Wolves is especially satisfying.
Joining the team on the coach trip down to Wembley it was easy to
get caught up in the excitement and BBC viewers will have seen me
punching my fist in the air when the Wolves sailed to a victory
against Leeds. The players worked hard, trained hard and
thoroughly deserved their win and retention of the title.
The joy in the eyes of the thousands of supporters on our
homecoming was simply wonderful and shows the power of sporting
success to deliver increased community and economic confidence.
Joining us for the celebrations on Saturday night was
Cheshire-born Gary Barlow, invited by one of the players. As he
might say: “Take That, Leeds!”
There’s no doubt it’s been an eventful few weeks for the
Northwest economy and the NWDA.
Widely reported was the visit from Dr Vince Cable to our offices in
Warrington where Dr Cable spoke about
the future of the RDAs and the need to rebalance the economy.
Although there is £270m in cuts needed from eight of the nine RDAs
(except London) the Government has suggested that the cuts will be
lower in the North, which has greater economic need than the
South.
Dr Cable’s comments in Warrington were certainly encouraging and
both he and the Prime Minister have been talking about the
importance of support for manufacturing, which is also great news
for the Northwest.
In a period of uncertainty it has been encouraging to hear
supportive noises from businesses for the NWDA, and the coalition
government is acknowledging this. In no way does this mean we can
rest on our laurels, this is a time where we have got to adapt and
makes changes with less money, and do more for less. We have to
make sure we can offer a real proposition for the future of the
Northwest’s £120bn economy.
One of the projects I am most keen to see go ahead is the
second
Mersey crossing. It is disappointing that it has
been suspended as I believe this is a project which demonstrates
confidence and can make a huge impact on the Merseyside and
Cheshire economies.
It’s no secret that less and less public money is going to be
available in the future but the NWDA supports the economy in many
different ways. Each week I speak to around 50 businesses over the
telephone about what their experiences are, what their skills
issues are for example and how we can support them. Part of our
role is then about passing this message onto government or speaking
with banks about the needs of Northwest businesses.
Out of the Northwest and out of the ordinary was a visit to the
Isle of Man last week to meet the government in order to step up
relationships and look at linkages between the Northwest and them.
Northwest business has relationships there but it’s a market which
could be developed more. I spent the day with representatives of
the Chamber of Commerce and Government Minister for
Finance who were excellent hosts. Before I left
Warrington I was told to look out for a colleague’s uncle’s hotel
while I was there but I missed out on Uncle Frank’s kind
hospitality this time.
I managed to squeeze in a visit to see the start and finish of
the famous TT Race which begins this week, and tried sitting in one
of the sidecars. I’m told these things travel at speeds of around
200mph but gave it a miss – life’s exciting enough in
Warrington.
This certainly rings true where Warrington
Wolves are concerned who didn’t provide an easy ride a
week last Sunday, but played a thrilling game in the Challenge Cup.
It was touch and go at times, but happily the team are through to
the semi-finals on August 8.
Until then both the team and I will keep on tackling and
trying!