Cameron backs Team Birmingham’s bid to initiate Heseltine review

BIRMINGHAM has been selected to spearhead a pilot project which could change the way economic development policy is delivered in the regions and lead to millions of pounds worth of regeneration cash being pumped into the city and surrounding areas.

Prime Minister David Cameron has given his consent to Birmingham becoming the base for the project.

The project builds on the findings of Lord Heseltine’s recent No Stone Turned report which recommended sweeping changes to the way economic development policy is delivered in the UK.

It recommended expanding the powers of the Local Enterprise Partnership network to make them the engines of change, aided by support from local authorities and business organisations such as chambers of commerce.

The Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP worked in collaboration with Lord Heseltine in the preparation of the report and the former deputy Prime Minister chose Birmingham as the launch pad for the review.

Following its publication, a delegation of LEP leaders from Greater Birmingham backed by MPs, chamber management and local authority representatives visited Mr Cameron In September to outline their plans for economic growth.

The delegation, dubbed Team Birmingham, outlined how the plans might work and the decision by Mr Cameron to allow Birmingham to be chosen for the pilot project is thought to have stemmed from this meeting.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP chairman Andy Street said Lord Heseltine had agreed to be part of project so he could build on the findings of his report. Lord Heseltine has also requested that MP Caroline Spelman and MEP Philip Bennion are part of the team.

“Lord Heseltine’s involvement would imply no commitment by the government to accept any of our findings but for him to work effectively with us he would need to be able to access departmental officials in the same way as he did in the preparation of his report,” said Mr Street in the letter.

“We look forward to the opportunity to help you drive forward the growth agenda in a way where we can play an enhanced part.”

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said the cross-party and private sector approach was the way forward.

“Following our meeting with the Prime Minister in September and subsequent discussions with Lord Heseltine and Cities Minister Greg Clark, it is clear that the Government welcomes our ambition and our determination to play a leading role in taking this agenda forward,” he said.  

“Lord Heseltine’s report gave strong support for our call for a more localist approach.  So we were determined to respond positively and to take forward his proposals immediately rather than waiting to be asked.  That offer has been positively received.  

“By working together across the city region and forging a close partnership with business leaders we are ensuring that Birmingham plays its rightful role in bringing powers and resources back to our cities and city regions.”

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber Group, said: “The chamber very much looks forward to working closely with service providers to understand how the chamber might help stimulate local businesses to seek out and take advantage of this service provision.”

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