*Picture caption below
Business and political leaders from Birmingham, Solihull, Lichfield, Tamworth and East Staffordshire, will join forces this Friday to put the official seal on joint proposals for their preferred option for a new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The move comes ahead of the Government’s deadline of September 6th for local authorities and business to submit joint proposals on the formation of LEPs, which will in part replace some of the roles and functions of existing regional development agencies.
The LEP proposals being unveiled today are based on the uniquely shared economic, social and cultural geography of the member areas, in particular the desire to ensure the area encompasses both where local people live and work, known as their ‘travel to work area’.
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The coalition Government has laid down the gauntlet to businesses and local authorities, and asked them to work together in a new way to tackle the challenges of growth and prosperity. Today, we are saying ‘we are ready for that challenge’ – and believe that together we have all the ingredients to be a powerful driver of not only our local economy, but the UK growth agenda as well.
“The Birmingham-Solihull relationship will be the foundation upon which we build a powerful new strategic partnership, and I am delighted that Lichfield, Tamworth, and East Staffordshire have agreed to become part of our LEP – and can confirm we are in discussions with Bromsgrove and their Leader, Roger Hollingworth. Most importantly, our LEP is one of consenting partners who recognise the economic interrelationship underpinned by travel to work patterns – and are determined to add real economic value.”
Ian Hedley, Leader of Solihull Council said: “This offers us a great opportunity to work together as partners – businesses and local authorities – to make a real difference. Solihull has a dynamic, growing economy, Birmingham is a major city with a history of innovation, creativity and reinvention and we both recognise the strong economic links between us.
Combining Solihull’s strengths with those of Birmingham, and with our partners in East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth, and with the talent and ambition in our businesses and communities – will let us achieve far more together than we could do alone. We are pledging to drive the economy forward, create growth and jobs and put ourselves at the top of the list as a place to invest, to innovate and to succeed. ”
Key aims underpinning the LEP include a desire to:
• Increase economic output (GVA) in the area by £8.25 billion by 2020;
• Create 100,000 private sector jobs by 2020;
• Stimulate growth in the business stock, survival rates and business profitability;
• Boost indigenous and inward investment;
• Achieve global leadership in key sectors, including: automotive assembly; low carbon R&D, transport and building technologies, business, professional and financial services; clinical trials; creative and digital sectors;
• Build a world class workforce with the skills needed to achieve our ambitions whilst dramatically reducing worklessness.
Quote from Paul Thandi, Chief Exec of the NEC Group on behalf of business: “The NEC Group is a perfect illustration of how the Solihull-Birmingham partnership works to support the economic prosperity of the region.
“As a business, The NEC Group has a £2 billion economic impact on the West Midlands region and supports the equivalent of 29,000 full-time jobs.
“The new LEP provides a perfect platform to build on the existing work between Birmingham and Solihull by mixing the important ingredients of business and the private sector to really capitalise on our and our partners’ brilliant work and strengths.
“Ultimately we are all here to grow the region and this provides the opportunity for us to work together. I am convinced that the new LEP is the way forward and that it will further support both our growth and that of other businesses throughout the region.”
If given the go-ahead the proposals suggest a Shadow LEP Board could be established by 1st November, and during its first year of operation would seek to:
- extend access to finance, including via the Investbx stock exchange
- agree a single approach to skills, inward investment and planning
- secure further commitments on the airport runway extension, High Speed Rail and superfast broadband; as well as keeping New Street Gateway on-track
- secure support for Accelerated Development Zones and a building retrofit programme
The LEP team who worked on the submission would like to thank Clarke Associates and Urban Communications Ltd for their pro-bono help and support in preparing the LEP submission. Each company devoted significant time and resource to preparing the submission- itself a testament to business’ willingness to get behind the LEP.
ENDS
*For more information on the LEP proposal see the attached ‘executive summary’ of the Birmingham and Solihull, Lichfield, Tamworth and East Staffordshire LEP submission.
Further supporting quotes from LEP partners:
Cllr Richard Grosvenor, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council, said:
“I am delighted to be pledging East Staffordshire Borough Council’s firm support for the LEP submission. I believe that the submission is based upon a real desire for Councils and businesses to work collectively to drive forward economic growth in our area that is sustainable and equitable. The Council is excited about the future opportunities that the LEP will create and is fully committed to ensuring that the LEP succeeds”
“I look forward to receiving a copy of the press release. It is likely that ESBC will prepare its own press release (based on the one you send through) for circulation to our local press.”
Councillor Michael Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, commented: “We are delighted to be joining forces with business leaders and councils across Birmingham, Solihull, Tamworth, Burton and neighbouring areas to drive forward this new Local Economic Partnership (LEP). Sitting just north of the Birmingham conurbation, our businesses prosperity, community vibrancy and economic growth are all intrinsically linked. By coming together we can work jointly to address common challenges, and present new and more wide-reaching solutions. Our ultimate aim will be to stimulate economic growth, new and varied jobs, and business opportunities across the partnership area and beyond, and we’re looking forward to playing a pivotal role in this.”
Steve Claymore, Tamworth Borough Council Cabinet Member for Economic Enterprise said: “I am delighted to be joining forces with this LEP; as it will provide excellent opportunities for Tamworth businesses, while we have much to offer other areas within the partnership. Not only can we explore new and exciting ideas to help rebalance our local economy, in addition we have strong transport and commuter links to Birmingham and Solihull which will benefit all involved. I am very much looking forward to way of working which I believe will be progressive and beneficial to everyone involved.”
Elaine Clarke, Birmingham International Airport, said: “Birmingham Airport supports a LEP, which will bring Business and the Public Sector together to create a shared future.
This part of England has a glorious past but we must build on it, not lament it. We must all work together – and harder – if we are to continue the innovation that Birmingham and surrounding areas have brought to the World.
Those are fine words, but words alone will not generate prosperity. We are keen that our LEP is judged by its outputs. We need to get on and make things happen; let’s start today!”
Ponny Lo, of leading local SME Quintet, said: “This LEP offers a genuine opportunity for businesses, large and small, to really drive economic growth in this area. We have the history, the vision, the strategy and the potential. All we need now is the space and powers from Government to fulfil our shared potential.
Peter Farmer, Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership (BEP) for Tamworth and Lichfield, said: “With better access to finance; more skilled people available and an environment that supports business with mentoring and innovation, this area can flourish as one of the UK’s economic hotspots.”
“As a businessman and Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership (BEP) for Tamworth and Lichfield I look forward in helping to make the area that this LEP covers into the best place to set up and grow a business in the UK.
“With the current robust partnership between business and the councils of Tamworth and Lichfield (BEP) we already have a public/private initiative which is helping to deliver growth in the private sector. When this is coupled to the strong economic links such as transport, commuter flows and business interaction that already exist between Birmingham, Solihull and Burton I believe we already have a head start.
“The foundations for this LEP are there we just need to build on this for the future.”
*PICTURE CAPTION
Pictured L to R:
David Stevens, Arup
Councillor Michael Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council
Paul Thandi, Chief Exec of the NEC Group
Cllr Richard Grosvenor, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council
Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council,
Steve Claymore, Tamworth Borough Council Cabinet Member for Economic Enterprise
Elaine Clarke, Birmingham International Airport
Ian Hedley, Leader of Solihull Council
Ponny Lo, of leading local SME Quintet
Peter Farmer, Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership (BEP) for Tamworth and Lichfield
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