A report before Solihull’s Economic Development & Managed Growth Scrutiny Board tomorrow provides an update and further details about a substantial project. Specifically:
‘This report provides an update on progress in developing the East Birmingham-North Solihull Levelling Up Zone (EBNS LUZ). The LUZ is being developed as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Trailblazer Deeper Devolution Deal (the Deal). The Deal has the potential to secure funding for long-term, transformational investment in North Solihull through the retention of business rates on specifically designated sites for 25 years. The EBNS LUZ is a cross-boundary initiative being developed jointly with Birmingham City Council.’
The report can be viewed via this link (agenda item 5): https://democracy.solihull.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=528&MId=10074
Importantly, doing nothing is not an option. Para 4.1 of the rport highlights this:
The Council could choose not to develop a LUZ focused on North Solihull and to continue delivering services and supports as it has been in recent years. This would, however, be to ignore the evidence of mounting challenges in North Solihull as well as the opportunities present within the area, in terms of physical, social and community assets.
Ken Hawkins 