Whitby pleaded with Government to grant West Midlands city region status
Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby has revealed how he pleaded with Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears to approve proposals for a powerful West Midlands city region.
Coun Whitby said he spoke to Ms Blears on the telephone hours before the government announced that Birmingham and the other West Midlands metropolitan councils had lost out in the race to become one of Britain’s first city regions.
Manchester and Leeds are to be given the status instead, with new powers and budgets to invest in transportation and economic development.
But Coun Whitby believes his conversation will have some benefits.
Ms Blears agreed to continue to look at plans by the Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country City Region Board to set up accelerated development zones – defined areas in towns and cities where councils are allowed to keep business rates for a period of up to 25 years.
West Midlands councils will be able to borrow money for major projects producing millions of pounds to boost economic development if ADZs are approved.
Coun Whitby (Con Harborne), who chairs the city region board, said: “Not to be selected as a pilot is a disappointment, particularly after the hard work invested in putting together a strong bid, and the clear benefits we presented to government with our ambitious plans for infrastructure development and work on skills and employment.
“I am equally disappointed that the announcement has come at a time when the city region is demonstrating how it can work together at its best, with a sophisticated partnership between local authorities, the business community and other key stakeholders – all of whom will share my disappointment.”
He added: “I was personally speaking to Hazel Blears right up to the deadline. She was particularly impressed by our ambitious proposals for an accelerated development zone, and in a telephone conversation I proffered our city region as a pilot area for this exciting work.
“Now, despite hearing in advance that we would not be a pilot area, I am pleased that the government has confirmed that further work is also underway with partners in the West Midlands on their proposals for an accelerated development zone and employment and skills.”
Coun Whitby said research had demonstrated an ADZ could bring 44,000 new jobs to the region and help reduce the skills gap.
