Issue - meetings

(1)      The progress made to date, particularly the focus on ‘core’ functions to be integrated and the reduction in Government funding for them, was noted.

(2)      The positions regarding embedding the voice of the private sector and

each ‘core’ LEP function was noted.

(3)      It was noted that Directors of Economic Development had commissioned the three Growth Hubs to develop options for a sustainably funded business support model from April 2023 for consideration in September 2022.

The board considered a report from the Executive Director of Economic Delivery, Productivity & Skills on the latest work to take forward LEP Integration in the West Midlands, as part of an overall plan to simplify and strengthen economic development functions across the West Midlands.

Councillor Ian Courts stressed the importance of ensuring that the voice of businesses within the region continued to input into the WMCA’s activities, and considered that a more innovative approach needed to be undertaken to ensure this. Sarah Windrum noted that the Liverpool City Region and West Yorkshire combined authorities had integrated their local business sectors into combined authority activity, and it would be useful to know if there were any lessons that could be learnt from their experiences. Corin Crane stressed that engagement with the business sector also needed to happen outside of formal board meetings. The Executive Director of Economic Delivery, Productivity & Skills noted these comments and undertook to develop them into the continuing work to embed the voice of the business sector into WMCA activities.

Resolved:

(1)      The progress made to date, particularly the focus on ‘core’ functions to be integrated and the reduction in Government funding for them, be noted.

(2)      The positions regarding embedding the voice of the private sector and

each ‘core’ LEP function be noted.

(3)      It be noted that Directors of Economic Development had commissioned the three Growth Hubs to develop options for a sustainably funded business support model from April 2023 for consideration in September 2022.