Apologies for absence were received from Anita Bhalla (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP), Councillor Kerrie Carmichael (Sandwell), Councillor Maria Crompton (Sandwell), Councillor Shaun Davies (Telford & Wrekin), Councillor Abdul Khan (Coventry), Councillor Bob Piper (Sandwell), Councillor Ian Ward (Birmingham) and Sarah Windrum (Coventry & Warwickshire LEP).