Cabinet – 4 February 2010
Report of the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Environment
Part I - Item No. 4 (b)
Electoral Division affected:
All
Lancashire County Council's Response to the Regional Strategy for England's
North West (RS2010) Part 1 Consultation
(Appendix 'A' refers)
Contact for further information:
Emma Prideaux, (01772) 531198, Office of the Chief Executive,
[email protected]
Executive Summary
As part of the process of producing a Regional Strategy for the North West, the
North West Development Agency, in conjunction with 4NW, has recently published
the Part 1 High Level Strategic Framework of the Strategy. Regional agencies are
now seeking views on the Part 1 document. The deadline for comments is 26
February 2010.
This report describes the context for the Regional Strategy and Part 1 Consultation
Paper and summarises the key elements of the document (Appendix 'A' refers). The
report also identifies the key issues on which the County Council will be seeking to
respond.
Recommendation
The Cabinet is asked to:
(i)
(ii)
Note the contents of this report and provide initial comments on the Part 1
High Level Strategic Framework produced by the North West
Development Agency and 4NW; and
Agree that responsibility for producing the County Council's final response
be delegated to the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Leader.
-2Background and Advice
1.1
The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009
places a statutory duty on regions to produce a single Regional Strategy,
which sets out a long term strategic framework for regions to promote
sustainable economic growth and contribute to sustainable development.
1.2
The responsibility for bringing forward the North West's Regional Strategy
rests with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and the regional
Leaders Board (4NW).
1.3
The single Regional Strategy for the North West (RS2010) will replace the
existing Regional Economic Strategy, Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and
Regional Housing Strategy, but in doing so aims to progress logically and
build on these existing strategies. It is developing and embedding a new Skills
Strategy for the region. It is being developed as part of a national framework
and reflects emerging national policy on areas such as nuclear, aviation, rail,
housing and environmental limits.
1.4
RS2010 will provide a framework for action for the next twenty years enabling
decision makers to address the tough choices facing the region especially in a
situation of tight public expenditure. It is to be a Strategy for the whole region
but will include spatially specific priorities to reflect the strengths, challenges
and inter-relationships of different places and how they contribute to a
prosperous and thriving region.
1.5
Part 1 of the RS2010 sets out the high level strategic framework of the
document. The County Council has been involved in the sub regional
evidence work and the drafting of the strategy through the Regional Strategy
Advisory Group on which the Director for Strategic Planning and Transport
and the Group Head for Waste and Minerals Policy sit. The consultation
document sets out strategy priority strands focusing on:

Opportunities for moving towards a low carbon economy and climate change.

Building on sources of international competitive advantage and regional
distinctiveness.

Releasing the potential of our people and tackling poverty

Ensuring the right housing and infrastructure for sustainable growth
1.6
These strands are examined thematically and spatially leading to the proposal
of strategic options. These options test the implications of putting the
emphasis in differing ways on economic, environmental and social outcomes
respectively to deliver the identified strategic priorities.
1.7
Appendix 'A' summarises the priorities and options setting out the key issues
for Lancashire on which the final consultation submission from the County
Council will focus. These key issues include:
-3-

Strengthened policy references to Lancashire's economic assets and
opportunities and ensuring that these are comprehensive. These include
Lancashire's knowledge economy assets, including our Universities; global
strengths in advanced manufacturing; emerging strengths in nuclear,
renewable energy and environmental technology sectors; and major
opportunities to improve connectivity through High Speed Rail and digital
initiatives.

Support for the recognition of the role of places in Lancashire within the wider
region, including the regional role of Preston and Lancashire's three Multi
Area Agreement (MAA) frameworks, in delivering RS2010 objectives.

General support for Option 2: Focus on Economic Opportunity, within the
consultation document, which is likely to take forward Lancashire's
sustainable growth aspirations. The emphasis for Lancashire needs to be
broadened beyond a specific focus on Preston, linking to assets and
opportunities across the sub region. In addition elements of other Options in
terms of environmental protection and sustainability and the need to support
regeneration will also need to be considered.
The Part 1 High Level Strategic Framework of the Regional Strategy can be viewed
via the following link: http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/RS2010Part1.pdf
Consultations
Consultations are being undertaken with service directorates.
Implications:
Ensuring that Lancashire is properly represented, and priority issues properly
addressed within the Regional Strategy for the North West, will assist the County
Council and the Lancashire Sub Region in meeting its development priorities.
Risk management
Development Priorities: Agreeing the content of the report for submission to the
North West Region will assist the development objectives of the County Council and
the Lancashire Sub Region.
Any representations made to the Cabinet prior to the issue being considered
in accordance with the Public Notice of Forward Plans
Name:
N/A
Organisation:
Comments:
-4-
Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
List of Background Papers
Paper
Date
Contact/Directorate/Tel
RS2010 Regional Strategy
for England's Northwest
Part 1: The High Level
Strategic Framework:
Consultation Document
http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/
RS2010Part1.pdf
4 January 2010
Emma Prideaux, Office
of the Chief Executive,
(01772) 531198
Reason for inclusion in Part II, if appropriate
N/A