Liverpool’s Strategic Futures Advisory Panel, headed by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotherham, has revealed a roadmap for change after months of engaging more than 300 stakeholders. The Panel aims to support Liverpool’s long-term future beyond government intervention measures through a reform agenda that accelerates the city’s progress towards a stronger and more sustainable future, based on three broad priorities for Liverpool over the next decade: rebooting regeneration, 21st-century public service reform, and turbocharging the innovation economy. The Panel recommends establishing a regeneration partnership to kickstart stalled projects, an integrated, data-led approach to service delivery, and capitalizing on regional strengths in life sciences.
“These priorities should form the basis of Liverpool’s economic strategy in the coming decade, and the outcomes used to measure its success will be set out in the Panel’s final report,” states the report. Liverpool is a dynamic and distinctive city but economically punches below its weight. Although the city has strengths in tourism appeal and emerging areas like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital, and culture, there are still weaknesses. The productivity is lower, there is an over-reliance on low productivity, and earnings are below the national average. By raising productivity levels to the UK’s average, £4.5 billion per year could bolster Liverpool’s economy.
Chaired by Mayor Steve Rotherham, the Panel comprises Baroness Judith Blake, the leader of Leeds City Council from 2015 to 2021, and Sir Howard Bernstein, who was chief executive of Manchester City Council from 1999 to 2017. Liverpool City Council and its Cabinet, officers at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, external experts, and stakeholders have worked with them to deliver a long-term plan for the growth and success of the city. The report seeks to ensure Liverpool can seize significant opportunities that lie ahead, helping all residents share in the benefits it brings.
Liverpool City Council’s leader, Councillor Liam Robinson, supported this report, stating that there have been great strides in making Liverpool an excellent place to live, work, and visit. He adds that it is critical to accelerate the work done in recent decades, move it to the next level and guarantee that it delivers for all its residents. The report has been approved by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP. The Panel aims to provide further details of this reform agenda and delivery milestones in its final growth strategy report in 2024.
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