In a report published yesterday (17 March), the former deputy prime minister recommended a substantial ‘single pot’ of funding, which will be managed by a new regional statutory board, containing all nine local authority leaders. The Conservative peer acted as adviser for the three-month review, known as the Greater Birmingham Project, which explored how the city-region could manage take on responsibilities currently held by central government departments to drive local growth. ‘The ideas identified in this new report show that Greater Birmingham has the vision, the determination and, I believe, the basis of corporate governance essential for the single pot to work,’ said Lord Heseltine. ‘Now it is important that government clarify its position as far as the single pot is concerned,’ he added. ‘I hope this report provides further reassurance to the Chancellor that this approach is one that can unlock the potential of the regions and bring about a step-change in the performance of the UK economy.’ The report also recommends the expansion of Birmingham Airport and the massive potential of the M42 economic gateway. Birmingham City Council leader, Sir Albert Bore, said: ‘This will put Birmingham and the wider city region at the forefront of a new way of working. Great cities are the engines of growth and the country will not prosper unless we do.’Lord Heseltine has called on the Government to devolve more powers and money to the Greater Birmingham city region.
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group investigated which areas and firms are most likely to create jobs and regeneration opportunities were powers and funding streams handed down to local level.
Potholes: Treating the illness not just the symptom
With the publication of the ALARM survey, chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, David Giles, talks to LocalGov about investing in local roads.
