1. Opportunities for the voluntary sector Ian Ruff and Steve Barwick Listen, Value, Invest conference – 29 Sept 2010

2. Overview What is Future North West Consultation and engagement Structure and Contents Monitoring and Implementation What happens next Discussion – opportunities for the voluntary sector

3. What is Future North West? Future North West: Our Shared Priorities is a high level statement of strategic priorities and framework for activity over the next 20 years. Builds on a substantial programme of work by private, public and third sector partners from the length and breadth of the North West. Provides a compelling framework for local authorities, businesses, the voluntary, community and faith sector, and government bodies to work together to deal with issues which cross local boundaries and are critical to securing a sustainable and prosperous future for the North West. Based on four overarching themes and supporting objectives and action areas. Establishes priorities for places. Sets out the “big ticket issues” of fundamental importance to the North West. Development led by 4NW and NWDA, working closely with Future North West Advisory Group comprised of over 50 organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

4. Future North West: Our Shared Priorities

5. Earlier consultation and engagement RS2010 Principles and Issues Paper - Public consultation from February to April 2009 Responses from over 180 organisations and individuals 62 stakeholder events with over 1200 attendees RS2010 Part 1: The High Level Strategic Framework - Public consultation in January/February 2010 Responses from over 300 organisations and individuals 50 stakeholders events with over 1400 attendees – over 250 third sector

6. Future North West – Structure and Contents Section A – Setting the Context Section B – Vision and Approach Section C – Themes Section D – Places Section E – Focus and Ambition Section F – What Happens Next

7. Section A – Setting the Context Evidence base A comprehensive evidence base developed. Sustainability Assessment The final report is being published alongside this document, and its recommendations will be addressed in finalising Future North West: Our Shared Priorities.

8. Section B – Vision and Approach Vision The quality of life for the people of the North West will be excellent and the area will become more prosperous, more equitable and low carbon: by 2030 it will be a better place to live, learn, work, visit and invest in, with: job opportunities for all in a highly productive, well skilled, internationally competitive, knowledge-based and resource-efficient economy which is adapting to climate change and living within environmental limits; high levels of health and social well being, minimal deprivation and child poverty, good housing and excellent physical and digital connectivity; The vision also indentifies priorities for places establishing a framework which is further expanded in Section D: Places Future North West also makes an explicit commitment to securing economic growth within environmental limits and identifies the most important limits and how they should be addressed

9. Section C: Themes Four themes - Theme 1 - Low carbon, climate change and resource efficiency Theme 2 - Competitive advantage and distinctiveness Theme 3 - Release potential of our people and tackle poverty Theme 4 - Housing and Infrastructure

10. Theme 1 - Low carbon, climate change and resource efficiency 1a: Make the North West a world class place for nuclear technologies, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and exploit opportunities in other low carbon and environmental goods & services. 1b: Ensure the North West understands and adapts to the implications of unavoidable climate change. 1c: Stimulate key sectors, including housing, transport and industry, to develop low-carbon and resource- efficient solutions and alternatives.

11. Theme 2 - Competitive advantage and distinctiveness 2a: Develop our strength in internationally competitive manufacturing and digital/creative industries by supporting businesses to be innovative, enterprising and export driven. 2b: Strengthen our concentration of knowledge-based assets driven by our universities and research, science and innovation base. 2c: Improve our international connectivity through the Liverpool Superport, including John Lennon Airport, and Manchester Airport. 2d: Develop our world class sporting/culture/quality of place offer and the attraction of Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and the Lake District as international destinations.

12. Theme 3 - Release potential and tackle poverty 3a: Increase the potential of the workforce by improving employment levels and skills, including an increase in technical skills and apprenticeships. 3b: Build on our strong third sector and strong tradition of social enterprise 3c: Revitalise areas with deep-seated economic and social challenges and build strong communities 3d: Tackle the serious challenges raised by multiple disadvantage 3e: Address the implications of demographic change for our workforce and services

13. Theme 3b – Build on our strong third sector 416 cooperatives/mutuals – turnover £2bn 30,000 third sector – contributing £3.3bn Reach in disadvantaged areas Key issues 1Support the social enterprise sector to grow 2Develop a financial inclusion strategy 3Promote volunteering

14. Theme 4 - Housing and infrastructure 4a: Secure high quality housing in locations which support sustainable economic growth and communities; 4b: Ensure high quality digital connectivity to stimulate enterprise, improve service delivery and reduce the need to travel; 4c: Improve internal connectivity through a sustainable transport infrastructure which better connects opportunity and need; 4d: Develop the critical infrastructure the region needs to support sustainable economic growth; 4e: Safeguard the natural environment and develop green infrastructure to provide economic, environmental and social benefits

15. Section D: Places a.Build on the role of Greater Manchester as a key generator of wealth for the North West, and as an important driver of growth across the North as a whole, b.Realise Liverpool’s potential as a world class cultural city, a major driver of economic growth and international gateway, c.Develop the international potential of the Liverpool- Manchester corridor, through the Atlantic Gateway concept d.Capitalise on Preston’s opportunity to become a key regional growth centre, e.Capitalise on Warrington’s opportunity to become a key regional growth centre

16. Section D: Places f.Recognise Crewe, Chester, Lancaster and Carlisle’s role as key sub-regional hubs, g.Enhance the role of the Lake District and other outstanding natural and heritage assets, h.Recognise those parts of the Pennine Lancashire, Blackpool, Barrow and West Cumbria as well as areas within the Manchester and Liverpool conurbations which face substantial social and economic challenges, i.Recognise the contribution of the North West’s rural areas, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face,

17. Section E: Focus and ambition The “big ticket” issues to be addressed across the NW are: 1.Develop the enterprising capabilities of our people through education and skills 2.Develop our world-leading advanced manufacturing, biomedical and digital & creative industries 3.Develop our world-class research, science and innovation capability, particularly at Daresbury 4.Develop our low carbon energy offer, especially in nuclear and marine renewables, for example through the Energy Coast initiative 5.Develop Next Generation Access digital connectivity 6.Improve rail connectivity across the North West and tackle transport pinch points, especially the Northern Hub and securing High Speed Rail access,

18. Focus and ambition 7.Improve international connectivity via Manchester Airport and Liverpool Superport 8.Reduce levels of ill-health, health inequalities, poverty and worklessness 9.Increase the number and quality of private/third sector jobs and social enterprise 10.Develop our sporting, cultural and quality of place offer, based on our world- famous places, heritage and environmental assets, particularly Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and the Lake District 11.Enhance our natural environment and resolve emerging pinch points in our critical (utilities) and green infrastructure 12.Ensure high quality, energy efficient and affordable housing in the right locations

19. Monitoring & Implementation Monitoring - Future North West includes indicative measures/indicators for each theme. Local and sub-national partners will need to agree these and work together to establish monitoring arrangements. Implementation – Following the finalisation of Future North West there will be an opportunity for local and sub-national partners to work together to develop a detailed implementation framework/plan.

20. What happens next? What happens next – Invitation for feedback and comments over a two-month period from early August until 8 th October 2010. We will then publish a final version, taking account of comments received, the Sustainability Assessment and the outcomes of the Comprehensive Spending Review Copies of the full document, including details of how to provide feedback and comments, can be obtained from the following websites - www.nwda.co.uk & www.4nw.gov.ukwww.nwda.co.uk www.4nw.gov.uk Your views and comments on this document would therefore be extremely helpful. They should be sent by email, by 8 th October 2010, to: Future.NW@nwda.co.uk or,Future.NW@nwda.co.uk If you have any questions, or need any further information, please contact Brenda Buckley on 01925 400279 or using the first email address above.

21. Discussion –Why is Future North West still important? –Where does it fit in with new agenda of Localism, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Big Society? –How can the voluntary sector ensure it continues to play a key role in tackling the issues highlighted in the document?