Pictured above: Councillor Mike Whitby (right), Leader of
Birmingham City Council, with Councillor Michael Wilcox, leader of
Leader of Lichfield District Council, at a LEP Development Board
meeting held at the offices of UNIMERCO, a Lichfield-based
manufacturer and distributor of automotive and aero
components
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership
(LEP) is to become one of the largest in the country.
Redditch and Wyre Forest have become members, joining East
Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove and Cannock Chase in
addition to Birmingham and Solihull following a meeting of the LEP
Development Board.
Interim chairman Bridget Blow said: "We are delighted at this
development and excited to work with business and local authorities
from North Worcestershire in the interests of our local businesses
and communities.
"The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP is now one of the
largest in the country with a population of two million people and
950,000 existing jobs.
"We have the enthusiasm and drive to work together to create and
support a globally competitive knowledge economy -which is the
natural home for Europe's entrepreneurs and wealth
creators.
Councillor John Campion, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council
said: "Wyre Forest District Council, as part of the North
Worcestershire group of councils, is delighted to be a member of
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
We recognise the importance of LEPs as they will be central to
regional growth. Being a member will mean we will be at the heart
of the decision-making process and will it give us an influential
role in the economic success of the area."
Tony Hyde, Managing Director of Thomas Vale Construction Plc,
said: "My business is one of many in the Wyre Forest that have deep
and extensive links in the Birmingham area as well as in
Worcestershire. The news that Wyre Forest will also be in the
Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP means that the needs of
businesses in the district will be on the agenda in this important
partnership as well."
Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
"I am delighted that our LEP continues to go from
strength-to-strength. With the welcome additions of Redditch and
Wyre Forest I believe we must now be one of the country's largest,
and most significant, representing a population of almost two
million people."
The Development Board has identified a number of areas to
urgently deliver private sector- led growth and jobs.
They include supporting the runway extension at Birmingham
Airport; improving planning regimes to promote growth; expanding
access to finance for SMEs; developing an employer-led approach to
skills and employment which sees young people, in particular,
developing the attributes and expertise to work in local
businesses; and providing effective and relevant business support
and mentoring.
The Board is also exploring the potential to ensure LEP
businesses are prioritised when it comes to servicing the LEP's
local authorities' needs. The Development Board also committed to
assisting local businesses in their applications to the second
round of the Regional Growth Fund.
Ms Blow said: "We will develop a toolkit to assist in their
understanding of the bidding process, Green Book status and state
aid concerns."
She added that the Development Board were enthused by the level
of response to advertisements for business non-executive directors
of the LEP.
"Over 80 responses were received which is testament to the
important role local business people think the LEP can play in
driving economic growth in the area.
"The Development Board will be looking to shortlist in the near
future. While it will not be possible for all the applicants to be
directly involved with the LEP Board, we hope that we will be able
to utilise the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of those who have
applied to deliver the LEP's priorities.".