In the Northwest there are a variety of Local Authority structures, namely, metropolitan, county, unitary and district councils, all of whom have a unique role in providing services in order to make places distinctive for both visitors and residents.    This place-shaping role is extremely important and in its recently published report, Northwest Regional Development Agency has proposed a process by which tourist boards, local authorities and others can take a "mosaic" approach to place shaping centred around the basic principle that all towns and cities are made up of a "mosaic" of different experiences which are created by like-minded businesses and organisations clustering together.  The Great Destinations conference in October 2009 provided best practice examples from Europe and within this country, the conference paper can be obtained by clicking here.

Following the Sub National Review changes are occuring with the structures of Local Government and the emerging Multi Area Agreements in the Manchester and Liverpool City Regions, Pennine Lancashire and the Fylde Coast all have implications for the future role of Local Authorities.