Mayor unveils four-year blueprint for making the Liverpool City Region the best place to grow up, grow a family and grow a business

Today is the 19th of July 2024, which is a Friday.

Mayor Steve Rotheram has introduced his plan for the next four years to improve the Liverpool City Region and make it the top choice for raising a family and starting a business.

Take the time to read through the complete Corporate Plan.

Expanding upon his promises during the election campaign, the Corporate Plan details how the Combined Authority plans to further boost productivity and stimulate economic growth. This will be achieved by investing in large infrastructure projects, enhancing public transportation, and capitalizing on the region's expertise in health and life sciences, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

The Mayor expressed that the new government displayed strong support for devolution, which could greatly enhance their efforts. This alignment of local and national growth goals with mayors serving as a key part of the national government's implementation strategy could lead to significant progress.

Over 120,000 grown-ups will receive training in necessary skills to obtain many new high-paying jobs. Efforts will also be made to eliminate the uneven distribution of opportunities among local residents, allowing everyone to reach their maximum potential.

The strategy also outlines the growth and utilization of public transportation and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the promotion of the internationally renowned city region as a hub for science, innovation, and creativity to encourage overseas investments.

FIND OUT MORE: Massive success for the first Liverpool City Region Innovation Investment Week

Providing modern, eco-friendly, cost-effective homes, including a focus on expanding public housing, is a top priority to address the housing problem. This plan is supported by efforts to give more power to local governments and enhance workers' rights, sustainability, fairness, and diversity.

In discussing the Corporate Plan, Mayor Rotheram stated:

Focusing on reducing inequality, promoting inclusive growth, and leaving a better world for future generations are the main priorities of my political agenda and leadership.

I aim to create an environment in the Liverpool City Region that fosters positive growth for individuals, families, and businesses.

Ever since I took office, we have assisted numerous individuals in finding employment, implemented high-quality trains owned by the public, constructed 30,000 homes for families to establish themselves in, provided many of our residents with the opportunity to earn new certifications, and started the process of returning our buses to public management.

The Liverpool City Region has a rich history and is home to many innovators and skilled individuals. While we cherish our past, we are excited to focus on building a prosperous future. This plan is our guide to achieving that goal.

Collaborating with our recently appointed Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and his team, I will make sure that the future of our region is shaped by us, rather than dictated from Westminster or Whitehall.

The economy in the Liverpool City Region has increased by £3 billion since the Mayor was first elected in 2017, and an additional 60,000 residents have found jobs. This represents a growth rate that is twice as high as the national average.

The Corporate Plan shows how the authority has successfully delivered on its promises, demonstrating the need for more devolution. This will involve consolidating funding into one pot, allowing local residents more control in achieving the Mayor's goals.

Key to the strategy is increasing the city region's economy by putting resources into its residents, environment, transportation, and digital technology - playing up its advantages while also tackling persistent problems.

The blog explains a variety of plans to boost the economy by making sure the city region stays ahead in innovation. This includes backing the development of materials innovation and infection control superclusters.

The blog focuses on the LCR Freeport and Life Sciences Innovation Zone's ability to draw in new companies, increase global trade, and generate over 20,000 jobs as the city region aims for a 25% rise in foreign investment by 2030.

Learn more about the Liverpool City Region's Life Sciences Innovation Zone by clicking on the link below.

To make this happen, the city area will strengthen its connections with the United States, Germany, and eastern Asia. By the end of 2024, the Combined Authority will create a Business Location Taskforce to showcase the city region as a great place for starting and growing a business to both local and global audiences. Additionally, there are plans to help over 100 businesses expand by 2026.

Mayor Rotheram and the Mayor of Busan met to discuss important issues.

The Plan also promises to improve working conditions by following the Fair Employment Charter and refusing to do business with companies that use fire and rehire tactics.

The economy of the city region thrives thanks to its varied, inventive, imaginative, and diligent residents. The report outlines numerous strategies to tap into the talent within neighborhoods, boost efficiency, and guarantee that inhabitants possess the necessary skills to take advantage of upcoming high-paying and environmentally friendly employment opportunities.

The Plan promises to provide young individuals with a strong foundation by enhancing training for those working in early childhood education and childcare, establishing a childcare commission, and extending the successful Cradle to Career initiative to additional regions. The goal is to increase the number of children receiving support to 36,000 per year by 2030.

Discover more about our extensive 'From Start to Finish' initiative that is worth millions of pounds.

By 2028, the Combined Authority aims to help 120,000 adults improve their skills, get training, or find jobs. They will focus on using over £50 million a year in skills funding to assist those who have the most challenges. The Authority will also advocate for more control over education for 16-19-year-olds and the Apprenticeship Levy.

Image by Gareth Jones

A detailed plan for long-term skills development will be released in the Fall, and efforts will be made to establish a Screen Academy for the Liverpool City Region by 2028.

Starting in September, an advanced technology system will be implemented in schools to assist teachers and students. Additionally, the government's plan to improve digital access will be expanded to reach 10,000 individuals by 2028.

Known around the world for its rich culture, vibrant music scene, and impressive sports teams, the Liverpool City Region is also a hub of innovation and creativity. By the year 2024, it aims to establish itself as a leading center for science and technology.

Learn more about the LCR Visitor Economy Partnership by clicking on the link.

By the end of 2024, the city region will create its own symbol and banner. The LCR Visitor Economy Partnership will help boost and enhance cultural, historical, and tourist sites. A fresh plan will be created to keep the region thriving in attracting big events, and funding for Borough of Culture will be increased to 2% to reach more people and have a greater effect.

Johnny Vegas and Elsie Kelly were spotted together at the Culture and Creativity Awards this year.

By 2030, six brand new city parks will be built, each filled with 100,000 trees. Additionally, £10 million will be invested in setting up electric vehicle charging stations by 2028. Furthermore, digital advancements will be used to enhance air quality.

By 2028, a comprehensive business justification for Mersey Tidal Power will be created as the city region continues to establish itself as Britain's Renewable Energy Coast and works towards achieving a net-zero status by 2035. This goal is the most ambitious among all city regions.

Computer-generated image of the Mersey Tidal barrage.

Building houses is a main focus for the new government. They also want to create homes that are well-designed and energy-efficient. The Combined Authority is also committed to this goal, with plans in place to make it happen.

Over 1,000 homes and public buildings will be made more environmentally friendly each year by making changes to their heating systems and implementing green energy networks. Additionally, the local government will support the construction of 200 new homes each year on land that was previously used for other purposes.

Finch Gardens in Dovecot is the inaugural project financed by the £60 million Brownfield Land Fund.

The Combined Authority plans to investigate the possibility of constructing council houses again, and will create a Good Landlord Charter as well as a task force to address homelessness.

Transport for Liverpool City Region (TFLCR) is taking over from Merseytravel and will keep introducing the Metro brand.

The entire bus system will be under franchise ownership by the end of 2027, and a new way of running Merseyrail services will be created to give the public more control.

In 2027, the new Baltic station will start operating and there are already plans and money set aside to renovate Liverpool Central station. Additionally, plans are in place to build three new stations at Carr Mill in St Helens, Daresbury in Halton, and Woodchurch on the Wirral. All Merseyrail stations will be easily accessible by the end of the 2020s.

By 2028, a new Bus Rapid Transit system will start operating to connect John Lennon Airport, Anfield, and Bramley Moore stadiums. Additionally, a new Mersey Ferry is set to be launched by summer 2026. St Helens is on track to have a new public transport interchange by the end of 2026, and plans for high-speed connections to Manchester are being considered.

Discover the latest accomplishments of the year in the Annual Review for 2023/24.

The city area will take the lead in using ethical AI to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues. The Combined Authority will take advantage of the new 214km LCR Connect high-speed, high-quality fiber network to connect with 3,000 businesses by 2030.

By 2025, a group dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) will be formed, led by a recently appointed Chief Digital Officer.

Agreed upon during the meeting of the Combined Authority in July, the Plan also promises that the Mayor will host opportunities for the public to ask questions and organize meetings for the Combined Authority throughout the entire city region.