Birmingham LEP vows to create ‘fully-functional economic geography’
GREATER Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership leaders have pledged to continue revitalising the area’s economy by creating new jobs and opportunities for growth.
However, less than half of what the LEP has planned for its second year of operations will depend on the much-vaunted City Deal for Birmingham – the full details of which will be announced next week.
Full details of the City Deal document are being kept under wraps until next Thursday when the announcement is made.
However, it is predicted the plan will contain proposals for a combined transport authority for the LEP area, measures to improve transport links across the various council areas, support for increased capacity at Birmingham Airport, the relocation of the headquarters for HS2 to Birmingham from London and the establishment of a new £25m medical research facility known as the Institute of Translational Medicine.
Possible measures to devolve new powers to the body for the control of important development sites could also be included.
However, Andy Street, chairman of the LEP, refused to be drawn on the project at the partnership’s annual general meeting yesterday.
He said full details of the document would be released next week when he would be able to discuss the proposals openly.
Until then, he said less than half of what the LEP had planned would depend on what the document contained.
“The City Deal accounts for less than 50% of what we have planned for the LEP over the next 12 months,” he said.
“Our focus will be on creating a fully-functional economic geography with an emphasis on developing skills for people, improving access to finance for business growth and ensuring that the facilities are widely available to everyone in the area.”
The LEP plans to engage people more effectively in what it is doing and to this end, will produce a White Paper-style strategy document in the autumn which will be followed by a public consultation.
Deputy chairman of the LEP, KPMG Midlands chairman Steve Hollis said: “If we don’t get buy-in it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on and the delivery organisations won’t be behind it.”
The proposals include the development of the review into the needs of mid-sized businesses in the area; the launch of a Central Business Portal – a one-stop-shop where businesses will be able to go to get advice and support on a range of issues, including finance; and, the continuing exploitation of the Regional Growth Fund.
The LEP has submitted 25 applications to Round 3 of the RGF – including three in partnership with other LEPs and Mr Hollis said the body wanted a disproportionate amount to come to the region.
