Welcome from the Member Chair, Councillor Mike Lee of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council:

"The vision for the North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership is to lead the ambition, foster the innovation and share best practice to support the public sector in delivering better outcomes for their communities. In doing so, we will establish the North West's reputation as an innovator within the national improvement and efficiency agenda."

Welcome from the Officer Chair, Joyce Redfearn of Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council:

"The North West faces its greatest challenge in decades, not least as a result of the recent and dramatic turn of economic and political events. The economic situation has highlighted the importance of other issues, such as the changing nature of our communities and neighbourhoods, the need for better partnership working and increased efficiency as well as pressing environmental considerations and the relative health of our population compared to other parts of the country."