Agenda item

a)    Economic Conditions in the West Midlands

b)    Industrial Energy Taskforce Update

c)    Mobilisation of Plan for Growth

d)    Foundational economy

The Head of Economic Development and Delivery, Paul Edwards introduced the report that provided an update on the most recent economic conditions and interventions that the WMCA and partners are making to address those conditions to increase business resilience and growth across the region.

Delma Dwight (Black Country Consortium) updated the board on the economic conditions and highlighted key insights from the dashboard that provided the latest GDP and ONS figures.

Matthew Rhodes, Chair of the Industrial Energy Taskforce, provide on update on the work of the taskforce and how it is tackling the challenges faced by energy intensive industries across the West Midlands, especially the Black Country. Matthew outlined how lobbying by the taskforce had successfully secured enhanced EBDS support for energy and trade intensive firms and reported that lobbying was linked to the Devolution Ask for energy in supporting manufacturers. He added that the energy sector was biased against the manufacturing sector and a summit was proposed at the end of March ahead of the publication of a final report (with recommendations) in June for consideration by the Economic Growth Board.

Councillor Hughes reported that with regards to energy costs, Sandwell suffers the most due and he would like Sandwell to host the summit if possible.

In relation to hospitality and tourism, and the recently established West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, the Chair, Andrew Lovett of the Black Country Living Museum reported on the challenges and opportunities for the sector and how the board would represent and speak on behalf of the tourism and hospitality sector in the West Midlands.

In relation to the membership of the board, listed in appendix 1 of the report, Councillor Ward noted that members of the board included the Birmingham Hilton Metropole but did not include Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. He reported that the latter was rated as outstanding by Government as well as being recognised nationally and internally and enquired as to the process of selection to the board.

Andrew Lovett advised there was open recruitment process for partners to join the Tourism and Advisory Board and that he would like a representative from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to be on board. In relation to the Birmingham Hilton Metropole, the hotel had put themselves forward for membership.

Councillor Ward indicated that he would look to encourage Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to join the Tourism and Advisory Board. 

Councillor Hughes commented that the membership of the board was not geographically well-spread out and he would like more Black Country firms to be members of the Tourism and Advisory Board.

Andrew Lovett reported that he would welcome more businesses from the Black Country joining the Tourism and Advisory Board.

It be recommended to the WMCA Board that:

1.    The latest update on economic conditions in the West Midlands and the most recent regional GDP figures published on 9 February be noted;

2.    The wider mobilisation of Plan for Growth to support the medium-term growth strategy of the region be noted and agreed;

3.    The most recent position on industrial energy and proposed interventions to support energy intensive businesses be noted and

4.    The update from the Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board on the current state of the sector and planned activities to support the resilience of the sector be noted.