West Cheshire Anchor Network
West Cheshire’s biggest organisations are working together as part of plans to make the area a greener, fairer and stronger place to live, work and play.
The West Cheshire Anchor Network (WeCAN) has been established, consisting of key organisations that hold power to transform the local economy.
Inclusive Economy
The formation of the Anchor Network is one of the 12 action points identified as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s vision for an Inclusive Economy. This involves bringing together businesses, and the public, community and voluntary sectors to enable local people to contribute and benefit from their local economy and ensure that no-one is left behind.
The Inclusive Economy Strategy was published in 2022. It prioritises reducing poverty and inequality, supporting people to develop new skills and get into good jobs with fair wages, combatting the climate emergency, supporting community wellbeing, and enhancing the vibrancy of the Borough.
Who is involved in the West Cheshire Anchor Network?
Members of WeCAN are big and locally rooted organisations that employ many people, spend substantial amounts of money, own and manage land and assets and often deliver crucial activities such as healthcare, education, or public services. These organisations have committed to working together to maximise the difference each can make to local employment and incomes, wealth circulation, and climate emergency and sustainability goals.
The WeCAN members are:
- Cheshire West and Chester Council
- Cheshire College South and West
- Cheshire Fire Service
- Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership
- Cheshire Police
- Cheshire West Voluntary Action
- Chester Zoo
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- ForHousing
- The Muir Group
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
- Sanctuary
- United Utilities
- University of Chester
- Weaver Vale Housing Trust
The Grosvenor Estate are also a supporter of the Network.
Between them the West Cheshire Anchor Network members own and manage a huge range of assets across the borough, employing well over 10,000 people and have a combined budget in the billions.
What happens next?
Leaders from each organisation meet on a quarterly basis to explore opportunities to work together to deliver local value, support the long-term recovery of the borough from the pandemic and move towards a more inclusive economy.
You can find out more about the Council’s commitment to an Inclusive Economy in Cheshire West and Chester online.