Apologies for absence were received from Lee Barron (TUC Midlands), Councillor Maria Crompton (Sandwell), Councillor Shaun Davies (Telford & Wrekin), Councillor Julie Jackson (Nuneaton & Bedworth), Councillor Brigid Jones (Birmingham), David Lane (Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee), Tim Pile (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP) and Mandy Thorn (The Marches LEP).