Cheshire East retains title of most sustainable North West economy

Cheshire East has retained its position as the most sustainable place-based economy in the North West, according to a report published by business and financial adviser Grant Thornton.

The Sustainable Growth Index ranks all 324 English local authority areas against six socio-economic measures, going beyond GDP to provide a holistic view of strengths and areas of opportunity. It then calculates an overall score, with 100 being the national average.

As well as being the best performing North West local authority, Cheshire East also climbed 28 places in the national table, coming in at 31 in this year’s rankings.

It comes out top of the 39 regional local authorities based on a series of economic metrics for prosperity and dynamism and opportunity, while also placing well nationally across indicators around resilience, sustainability, inclusion and equality.

In total, four North West local authorities ranked above the national average: Cheshire East (104.15), Trafford (102.88), Cheshire West and Chester (102.09), and Stockport (101.44).

Rising 23 places in the overall national rankings since last year’s index and taking it into the top 30% for the first time, Stockport has been boosted significantly by increases to both its economic prosperity and the health, wellbeing and happiness of residents.

On the latter measure, the Greater Manchester satellite town climbed a commendable 53 places, from 142nd to 89th position.

At the other end of the table, Blackpool (90.99) again ranks lowest overall nationally out of all local authority areas.

The seaside town’s economic prosperity has improved on last year, climbing from 305th place to 287th place on that measure alone.

However, it remains at the bottom of the overall list nationally because of scores on inclusion and equality, and health and wellbeing, in which it ranked bottom and second from bottom, respectively.

For the region’s largest cities, economic prosperity remains tempered by severe challenges in health and wellbeing, and inclusion.

Manchester climbed from 31st to 24th nationally when the strength of its economy alone was examined.

However, its scoring against the measure of inclusion and equality failed to improve significantly on last year, where it ranked in the bottom 10, leaving Manchester 186th in the overall Sustainable Growth Index.

It was a similar picture at the other end of the M62, with Liverpool ranked 322nd for the inclusion and equality basket, and 191st in the overall rankings.

The waterfront city did, however, rank as the second highest North West local authority area in the measure of community, trust and belonging – with a score of 103.91.

Cambridge, Westminster and Camden take the top three places overall in the national Sustainable Growth Index rankings, with scores of 111.15, 110.96 and 108.28, respectively.

Carl Williams, partner and North West lead, Grant Thornton, said: “It is encouraging to see areas like Cheshire East continue to find the right recipe for sustainable growth.

“Its visitor economy is now worth almost £1bn per year, while it continues to harness knowledge-intensive sectors to drive economic prosperity.

Stockport: ‘Well considered approach to regeneration’

“Elsewhere, Stockport’s improved ranking on last year is evidence of a well-considered approach to regeneration that puts its people and communities first.

“But, overall, across the North West it is a mixed picture.

“Meaningful change in our towns and cities rarely happens as quickly as we might like.

“That there remains such a disparity in the fortunes of Northern areas versus our Southern counterparts only reinforces the urgent need for the infrastructure investment which can help to redress that balance.”

He added: “Similarly, while we should celebrate the economic growth of our core cities and towns, it’s important to take stock of equally important measures of success which don’t show up in financial reporting. On many of those, the conurbations in the North West still have work to do to ensure that their growth is inclusive.”