This is being discussed at this evening meeting of Solihull Councils Economic Development, Managed Growth and Skills Scrutiny Board; links to reports are shown below.
As a former Shard End lad I know North Solihull is part of a wider functional economic geography, and broader communities, that includes East Birmingham, and which faces similar challenges. EBNS is a diverse region home to 375,000 residents. It has strong economic potential, sitting between the city centre in Birmingham and the UK Central Hub in Solihull. Both economic centres are set to be significantly enhanced by new HS2 stations. However, too little of the benefit of economic growth within and around EBNS is currently retained within the area or experienced by its residents; and yet communities face the largest concentration of deprivation outside of London.
There may now be an opportunity to investment within EBNS through the Trailblazer Deeper Devolution Deal (TDDD). We must make this happen.
Through the EBNS zone there is a significant opportunity to change how services are delivered to achieve long-term renewal and better outcomes for residents. Delivering and catalysing the change needed in the local economy will require new ways of working and strategic partnerships, increasing investment and shaping how public services are delivered locally. Partnership working, co-development and co design between all relevant local partners will be fundamental to success. It ius essential we have more collaborative ways of working between the local authorities, WMCA and other stakeholders, to help shape the identified interventions.
The covering report to the scrutiny board can be read via this link: Solihull Council Report Template
With the draft strategy (a public document) being shared here:
Ken Hawkins 