This report provides an assessment of the Agency’s activity and performance during the
2006/07 financial year against the strategic priorities in our business plan. These are
driven by the Corporate Plan and the vision and priorities for the Northwest set out in
the Regional Economic Strategy (RES). As well as narrative on progress and
achievements within the year, the report identifies delivered outputs, performance
(including financial) and provides a commentary on trends in the region’s economic
measures.
2006/7 was a good year for the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
We performed strongly and met all our key outputs for the financial year, (as illustrated
in the table below), as well as driving significant progress on many of the
transformational actions identified in the five themes of the Regional Economic
Strategy – Business, Skills & Education, People & Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of
Life. Working through the RES Advisory Group we have just produced an assessment
of progress with the RES which shows good progress. The Northwest now has a RES
which can be “performance managed” and against which progress can easily be
measured.
The Northwest has a bold ambition – to build on our strengths, seize new opportunities
and sustainably grow our £106 billion economy. The Agency is central to achieving
this and the last seven years have taught us much about how to achieve this growth.
One of the most crucial lessons is that investing in significant transformational projects
has the most impact on our economy and this is where the NWDA is focusing its
attention.