Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ian Courts (Solihull), Councillor Patrick Harley (Dudley), Councillor Lezley Picton (Shropshire), Tim Pile (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP), Councillor David Sidaway (Telford & Wrekin), Councillor David Vickers (Dudley) and David Lane (Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee).