Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation relating to the development of the 'Crewe Vision' work and its implementation through the 'All Change for Crewe' programme, including updates on recent actions and initiatives.

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation on “All Change for Crewe” which informed the Committee that:

Over a year ago Cheshire East embarked on establishing its approach for shaping the future of Crewe, a Consultancy team led on a comprehensive programme, including:

• Extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including LAP, internal officers and delivery partners
• Compilation of an evidence base, detailing the economic challenges in particular
• Development of a strategic framework identifying where Crewe should be – in local, sub-regional, regional and national terms
• Devised an action plan

Since then the public funding environment had changed, so actions needed to be readjusted but not the ambition. This approach encompassed everyone, including local businesses, in harnessing skills, knowledge, networks and drive to deliver this ambition

• Not just the obvious economic actions, but wider ones that contribute to confidence in Crewe as a place to live, work, visit and invest
• Not just longer-term strategic actions, but the need to deliver more tangible projects in the short – medium term too
• And need to connectthese as part of the ‘All Change for Crewe’ story.

The presentation also outlined:

• Why there was a need for change in Crewe
• The key economic challenges
• The strategic vision
• The priority projects
• Delivering the vision
• Key progress
• Next steps with regard to governance, funding, public engagement and a script that will be circulated to all key stakeholders to facilitate an ambassadorial role.

Members agreed that an important priority for Crewe should be to improve the schooling and raising young people’s aspirations. It was highlighted to Members that this was also a key issue discussed with the Senior Management Team and that educational attainment in Crewe is a priority for the Children and Families Service.

Members requested that a programme of key actions over the short, medium and long term be developed and  circulated to the Committee and that a further update be received in the future.

RESOLVED

1. That the presentation be received.
2. That education be considered a key priority.
3. That a programme of key actions be circulated to the Committee
4. That an update be brought back to the Committee at a future date.

Councillors Thorley, Weatherill and Fletcher left the meeting during consideration of the above item.