Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Councillor Adrian Andrew (Walsall), Councillor Ian Davison (Warwick) and Councillor Steve Evans (Wolverhampton).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Adrian Andrew (Walsall), Councillor Ian Davison (Warwick) and Councillor Steve Evans (Wolverhampton).

The Chair thanked the University of Wolverhampton for hosting this meeting of the board, and stressed the value in members seeing first-hand the significant work being undertaken within the investment zone site.

The Chair thanked the University of Wolverhampton for hosting this meeting of the board, and stressed the value in members seeing first-hand the significant work being undertaken within the investment zone site, which he confirmed would be a key part of the WMCA’s upcoming Spending Review submission to the Government.

Agreed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

(1)      The progress of programme delivery since the last meeting of the board was noted.

(2)      The Year 1 Review was endorsed, enabling officers to submit a formal report to the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government to satisfy Annual Delivery Plan requirements.

(3)      Minor amendments to anticipated outputs from the West Midlands Investment Zone, as agreed with the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government, were approved and would inform any subsequent change request to the programme business case.

The board considered a report of the Executive Director of Strategy, Economy & Net Zero on the progress of the West Midlands Investment Zone since the last meeting of the board, including an end of financial year review. The WMCA, as the accountable body, was required to complete a formal return to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, and the Year 1 Review report would be used to inform the formal submission. It was noted that as the West Midlands Investment Zone’s funding would transition into the Integrated Settlement from 2025/26, and so this would be the only year requiring such a formal return.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle sought assurance that funding levels for the investment zone would not decrease as a result of future years’ funding being included within the single pot Integrated Settlement. The Head of West Midlands Investment Zone confirmed that while there was greater flexibility within the Integrated Settlement, the intention was to retain allocations as already agreed, which included the allocations for capacity funding for the zone’s five-year programme. The Chair reported that he was soon to participate in a UK trade delegation to China, and he highlighted the potential of the investment zone to attract foreign direct investment opportunities. He thanked officers for the work they had undertaken to prepare the year-end report, and stressed the Government’s wish for activity to continue at pace.

Resolved:

(1)      The progress of programme delivery since the last meeting of the board be noted.

(2)      The Year 1 Review be endorsed, enabling officers to submit a formal report to the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government to satisfy Annual Delivery Plan requirements.

(3)      Minor amendments to anticipated outputs from the West Midlands Investment Zone, as agreed with the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government be approved and inform a subsequent change request to the programme business case.

The Strategic Delivery Plan was endorsed for the implementation of the West Midlands Investment Zone for 2025/06.

The board considered a report of the Executive Director of Strategy, Economy & Net Zero on the Strategic Delivery Plan for 2025/26, which outlined priorities for the forthcoming year, including long-term strategic development work on the reinvestment of business rates and the further integration of the West Midlands Investment Zone into strategic economic plans. It also identified annual deliverables to monitor success, ensuring that hard outputs were maintained and aligned with the Integrated Settlement.

Neil Rami highlighted the key relationship and investor journey mapping activity that would be undertaken over the next 12 months. Key events mentioned included MIPIM, a trade visit to China, UKREIF and the Growth & Investments summit in June. Councillor Jim O’Boyle noted the growth of UKREIF and the importance of international participation in this event. Neil Rami confirmed that he was a member of the UKREIF Advisory Board, and that the board was very focused on attracting international participation.

The Chair stressed the importance of streamlining processes to ensure effective delivery. The Head of West Midlands Investment Zone acknowledged this, and proposed establishing an officer programme board to improve engagement and help this board to focus on more strategic matters. In respect of the possibility of inviting private sector representation on to the board, members noted the potential for commercial conflicts of interest, and it was suggested that a business advisory group may be a more appropriate arrangement. The Chair requested that the Head of West Midlands Investment Zone schedule a quarterly cycle of member board meetings for the coming year, and provide a review of how best to establish an officer programme board and ensure appropriate engagement with the private sector.

Resolved:

The Strategic Delivery Plan be endorsed for the implementation of the West Midlands Investment Zone for 2025/06.

To be confirmed following the WMCA Board AGM on 12 June 2025.

The Chair indicated that the date of the next meeting would be confirmed following the WMCA Board AGM on 12 June 2025.