West Cheshire – Inclusive Economy Prospectus and Action Plan 2021

In our Council Plan, Play Your Part to Thrive, we stated our desire to grow our local economy, whilst delivering good jobs with fair wages for our residents, and to enable everyone to play their part in creating greener, fairer and stronger communities. The Prospectus and Action Plan contributes towards this goal.

We recognise as a Council that we cannot do this alone. That’s why this plan has been developed in collaboration with over 250 stakeholders, through public engagement, dedicated workshops and by convening over 100 representatives from all sectors at our Reimagining the West Cheshire Economy Conference.

Our plan is uniquely action-focused, aiming to make the greatest possible difference through strategic interventions. This Prospectus and Action Plan sets out a new vision for the West Cheshire economy, alongside 12 co- designed actions to help us get there.

The actions seek, amongst other things, to increase residents’ access to well paid jobs and careers, decrease our overall carbon emissions, support new businesses to start and grow and make our existing businesses more resilient, all whilst supporting our residents to become healthier and happier in a lively, culturally vibrant, borough.

We have already made great progress towards some of these actions. Others may depend on outside investment,
or be delivered through Government grants, but we will continue to seek new opportunities to kickstart these projects and work with partners to make them a reality.

Our local economy is something which no single organisation can control, but there are opportunities for all our residents, businesses and communities to contribute to shaping its future. For that reason, we’re looking for partners across the public, private and third sectors to play their part in building a thriving local economy that works for everyone in our borough.

Whether it’s buying local, hiring local, paying fair wages, upskilling staff, inspiring young people, taking action on climate change, giving something back to your community or looking for new and exciting ways to collaborate or participate in change for our borough, everyone has a part to play.

Are you ready to play yours? Let’s get started…

Cllr Richard Beacham
Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, Cheshire West and Chester Council