Issue - meetings

(1)       The progress to date on delivery against the Local Industrial Strategy and overall economic growth goals, including activity to ensure the economy was more inclusive and resilient to shocks, and that zero carbon priorities were embedded in all activity to deliver economic growth, was noted.

(2)       The more detailed approach being taken to implementing and managing delivery, including actions being taken to ensure delivery reflected the latest mid-year economic data and informed the future funding asks of Government, was agreed.

(3)       The next steps, outlined within the report, were agreed.

The board considered a report from the Director of Strategy setting out the new opportunities identified within the Local Industrial Strategy, and the approach being taken to implementation in the context of the latest economic data, regional priorities for inclusive growth, environment and energy, and priorities for future Government funding.

The West Midlands Industrial Strategy was published in May 2019 and set out the WMCA’s intent to continue recent growth and success, whilst tackling the issues of economic inclusion that remained embedded within the economy and communities.

Ninder Johal stressed the importance of partnership working between the public and private sectors to better co-ordinate funding bids. He added that the Strategic Economic Development Board was currently looking at current inward investment trends and their regional implications. Good progress was being made in moving forward on the four major market opportunities identified within the Local Industrial Strategy, including future of mobility, creative content, techniques and technologies, data driven health and life sciences, and modern services.

Resolved:

(1)       The progress to date on delivery against the Local Industrial Strategy and overall economic growth goals, including activity to ensure the economy was more inclusive and resilient to shocks, and that zero carbon priorities were embedded in all activity to deliver economic growth, be noted.

(2)       The more detailed approach being taken to implementing and managing delivery, including actions being taken to ensure delivery reflected the latest mid-year economic data and informed the future funding asks of Government, be agreed.

(3)       The next steps, outlined within the report, be agreed.