Stephen Fox 19 April 2011
West Midlands UK
REGIONAL STRATEGIES West Midlands Regional Concordat Regional Sustainable Development Framework Regional Spatial Strategy Regional Economic Strategy Regional Housing Strategy West Midlands Energy Strategy Regional Transport Delivery Plan West Midlands Regional Waste Planning Strategy West Midlands European Strategy West Midlands Visitor Economy Strategy West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework
European Strategy Engaging with the Single Market Engaging with Europe's Research and Innovation Agenda Tackling Climate Change and Ensuring Environmental Protection The Social Cohesion Dimension
NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT New strategy for regions in England
30 new LEPS for ENGLAND Local Enterprise Partnerships -6 in West Midlands Birmingham and Solihull Black Country Coventry and Warwickshire Stoke and Staffordshire The Marches Worcestershire BUT 33 Local Authorities
NEW LEP AREAS
Labour inter dependencies Economic opportunities Market opportunities Inward investment birthplace of the industrial revolution and is a ‘locator’ in terms of inward investment. We can exploit this as a link to other international opportunities and develop clusters e.g. high tech. engineering or health Corridors of growth main transport corridors given our location in England. 17 million lives within one hour drive Regional facilities : major facilities such as the NEC and Birmingham Airport attract major conference and exhibitions EU Funding Responding to “financial crisis” Jobs losses in public sector
A framework for a regional strategy in Support enterprise and SMES Develop skills and more apprenticeship Climate change and renewable energy Improve transport links Healthier population ( deal with demographics) Social cohesion Increase innovation and research Sustainability Develop clusters and smart specialisation
Do regions need a strategy? What happens when the unexpected happens? Flexibilty Able to respond to opportunities when they arise Is networking an effective alternative to a strategy
To do what is necessary
To do what is necessary, when required