Agenda item

[To receive a presentation from Sarah Middleton, Chief Executive, Black Country Consortium Ltd]

The Chair welcomed Sarah Middleton, Chief Executive, Black Country Consortium Ltd and Professor Delma Dwight, Director of Black Country Economic Intelligence Unit, Black Country Consortium Ltd & Director of Midlands Engine Observatory, to the meeting.

An overview was provided in relation to:

·       the evidence led vision and economic intelligence

·       the approach being taken

·       an economic overview of Wolverhampton and the Black Country

·       developing a Green Infrastructure

·       developing a tree strategy

·       Black Country Canal Strategy

·       Black Country partnership support

·       capital investments

·       Black Country partnership support - Active Black Country

·       Commonwealth Games

Scrutiny Board received a presentation regarding the above areas.

The Annual Economic Review Report set out the key measures of success in the Black Country Performance Management Framework.  There were 12 strategic programmes covering the three themes of People, Place and Business and six priority areas for proposition development:

·       High Value Manufacturing City;

·       Black Country Business Competitiveness;

·       Economic Capital;

·       Black Country as Garden City;

·       Skills for Business, Skills for Life;

·       Connected Black Country

There was a spatial approach which included an in-depth analysis of pipeline opportunities in 11 identified spatial zones. There was also a detailed programme of dashboards including:

·       Overall Priority Pipeline

·       Growth Funds

·       Land Remediation Fund (WMCA)

·       Broadband

Priorities for the Black Country Consortium Economic Intelligence Unit included providing rigorous, best in class, economic analysis and place based compelling narrative; In-depth Labour Market Intelligence; Business Competitiveness – Growing our Business Base and Green transformation. Key achievements to date were a skills deep dive, sector action plans Geopark support, an iTree eco study and a canal strategy.

Comparative statistical information was provided in relation to economic performance in Wolverhampton in comparison with the Black Country.  Sector risks relating to Covid-19 and Brexit were considered by the Board.

Board understood that the recovery plan included:

·       Backing Black Country Businesses

·       Delivering Skills for Today and the Future

·       Nurturing Green Growth

·       Creating Vibrant, Safe and Healthy Places

·       Mobilising Devolution and Public Service Reform

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation and noted that there were some good figures where Wolverhampton appeared to be bucking the trend in some areas but that there were still some clear challenges remaining.

Board considered the Black Country Canal Strategy and the tender exercise that had been carried out and the proposals and plan.  It was noted there had been a tender for some consultative support funded through the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Canal and River Trust and that an appointment had now been made. The project was now starting to get underway with a series of workshops to ensure that, from a grassroots point of view the different opportunities that the strategy would be able to provide were understood.

One of the approaches being advocated was to ensure that the heritage infrastructure was clearly recognised, and that consideration was given to the economic and health benefits that could be achieved. There was a young steering group in place, with health partners, local authorities, the Consortium and the Canal and River Trust. Board considered that there would be opportunities that might exist in Wolverhampton and that it was important for local groups to be consulted for their thoughts, visions, and experiences as this would make the strategy much stronger.

Board noted that there were some very challenging areas for the city and noted that there had been a rise in Universal Credit claimants in Wolverhampton and queried what the reasons for this might be.

Board considered the Tree Strategy and noted that there were some good figures in the presentation relating to the value of the urban forest. Board agreed the importance of the Tree Strategy but considered that it also pointed to more questions. Board welcomed the understanding of planting the right tree in the right place. Board noted the importance of green spaces as being therapeutic and important for people's wellbeing. Board agreed that to see green space was very important for children and for them to be able to have play areas in green space. Board considered that this could be highlighted more in the report.

Board was pleased to hear that apprenticeships were increasing but emphasised that industry and businesses were having a very difficult time with areas such as a construction struggling to get the raw materials they needed. It was agreed that additional sector analysis information would be shared with the Board after the meeting.

In relation to the Active Black Country Partnership, Board queried whether listings and rankings were still being kept as it would be useful to have a comparison with previous years as to the Wolverhampton statistics. Board considered that it was important to understand whether performance had improved so that we could develop our policies in the City in the best way possible. It was confirmed that additional information in relation to the tracking of the active life survey and performance monitoring could be provided and the figures circulated.

Board welcomed the progress being made in relation to the Commonwealth Games but queried whether the legacy aspect of the Commonwealth Games had already been mapped out and how the infrastructure would be used moving forwards. It was confirmed that in relation to the legacy ambitions for the Commonwealth Games that there was a framework in place that could be shared with the Board members.  In relation to sports clubs, the Active Black Country Partnership did work with these clubs but was to a certain extent, constrained by the resources made available through Sport England.  There had been more positive discussions with Sport England about the necessity for them to increase the level of investment across all Black Country local authorities because as there had been an under-investment in terms of trying to ensure this type of community-based infrastructure.

The Director of City Housing and Environment commented that the Local Authority Green Space Strategy was currently being refreshed and could be considered by the appropriate Scrutiny Panel it requested.

Resolved:    That the presentation and update be noted and received.