Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Tom Westley (Business Representative), Councillor Adrian Andrew (Walsall), Councillor John Cotton (Birmingham), Councillor George Duggins (Coventry), Andy Street (Mayor of the West Midlands), Lee Barron (Midlands Trades Union Congress), Anita Bhalla (Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership), Sarah Windrum (Business Representative), Corin Crane (West Midlands Chamber of Commerce),  Aleks Subic (Higher Education Sector) and Mike Wright (West Midlands Innovation Board).

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

(1)      The current economic conditions in the West Midlands be noted.

(2)      The State of the Region form part of the evidence base for the region’s economic development work as part of the regular review of the economic conditions in the West Midlands.

(1)      The outcome of the consultation on the West Midlands International Strategy Green Paper be noted.

(2)      Members comments on the draft West Midlands International Strategy be noted.

(3)      The work undertaken to identify targets for the strategy be noted.

(4)      The final strategy and delivery plan be considered by Economic Growth Board at its next meeting in June 2024.

The progress and activity of the Midlands Engine be noted.

Members comments on the ambition, outcomes and implications on the Local Growth & Place Pillar of the Single Settlement be noted.

(1)      The update on Year 2 UK Shared Prosperity Fund financial forecasting position be noted.

(2)      The approach and actions agreed for Year 3 UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ change in approach to carry forward and year 3 payment profile, be noted.

(3)      The Section 151 Officer’s approval in respect of onward contracting/payment of Year 3 allocations and carry forward of underspends to local authorities be noted.

(4)      The update on internal WMCA-led business support projects position including mitigations to utilise underspend be noted.

(1)      The update on the mobilisation of Innovate UK: Further Education Innovation Fund be noted.

(2)      The update on Local Skills Improvement Funding specific to employer engagement be noted.

(3)      The update on the development of people and skills products within Business Growth West Midlands aligning investments be noted.

The activity in support of the Electric Light Vehicle and Associated Battery Storage cluster for the West Midlands Plan for Growth be noted.

(1)      The report and progress to date of WMCA work around the night-time economy be noted.

(2)      Each local authority consider the West Midlands Women’s Night Safety Charter through their own governance processes.

(3)      Each local authority consider where appropriate agents of change principles could be included with their refreshed local plans.

The update provided by the Chamber of Commerce representatives be noted.

The report be noted.

To be confirmed.