Proposals to develop a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) based around Birmingham and Solihull have been backed by leading figures in both business and politics, as the deadline for formal submissions to Government moves closer.
Under proposals being developed by Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and local business, a LEP would be established with key objectives to increase economic output and business profitability and therefore create jobs.
The Partnership is evolving around a vision of a globally competitive knowledge economy which is the natural home for Europe's entrepreneurs and wealth creators. The ambition is that the economic area of Birmingham and Solihull will be the easiest place in which to set up and run a business.
Over seventy businesses attended a second workshop staged by the Birmingham Chamber Group last Friday, 20th August to provide feedback on the plans, while Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's Cabinet formally approved the decision to form a LEP with Birmingham last week.
Commenting on the latest consultation, Katie Teasdale for Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said: “It is clear the business community recognises their LEP needs to be different - from what has gone before and from other economic areas. They want the Partnership to make a clear case for how the local economy can grow even stronger if business and local authorities are given the necessary freedoms and resources. Finding better ways to exploit our assets, particularly people, must be at the heart of our LEP.”
The Birmingham Chamber Group is working alongside other business representative groups and Business Voice West Midlands to co-ordinate business input.
Council and business leaders are drawing up a detailed list of actions for the LEP's first few months. Alongside maintaining early infrastructure developments including the extension to the airport runway; advancing plans for High Speed rail and regeneration plans for Longbridge and North Solihull; proposals include encouraging more interest in enterprise in schools and a 'virtual boardroom' to increase business mentoring.
As well as seeking the transfer of some AWM assets with associated funding and bidding for resources from the Regional Growth Fund, a key aspect of the LEP's financial strategy will be to retain business related revenues for local investment.
The LEP for Birmingham and Solihull will be a formal, legal entity with clear economic development objectives for the economic area. The LEP will have equal numbers of business and council leaders, with a significant business leader as chair.
Outline plans for LEPs need to be submitted to Government on or before 6th September 2010.
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For further information please contact
Kevin Johnson
Urban Communications (on behalf of Birmingham and Solihull LEP)
0121 237 6016
07831 595 365
kevin@urbancomms.com
Simon Houltby
Birmingham City Council
0121 303 3503
07920 750010
simon.houltby@birmingham.gov.uk
Julie Harrison
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
0121 704 8172
juharrison@solihull.gov.uk
John Lamb
Birmingham Chamber Group
0121 450 4228
07971 144064
j.lamb@birminghamchamber.org.uk