SANDWELL AT HEART OF MASSIVE DEVOLUTION PLANS
A proposed devolution deal for the West Midlands will bring “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities for people and businesses in Sandwell, council and industry leaders said today (Tuesday 17 November).
Ambitious proposals announced today to devolve powers from Westminster to the planned West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) are set to support an overall investment package for the region worth £8 billion and the creation of up to half a million jobs.
The plan, which would see the Government make a contribution worth £40 million a year for 30 years to the region, is the biggest devolution deal proposed in the country to date.
And Sandwell is perfectly placed to take advantage of the wide-ranging benefits.
Among the key benefits of the proposed agreement for Sandwell are:
• Opening up brownfield development sites for new businesses and housing;
• Boosting job and skills opportunities;
• Extending the Metro through Sandwell from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill;
• Creating significant new business opportunities in the freight network for Friar Park, Wednesbury;
• Investment for new homes – including potential new housing around the Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick;
• Better connection to opportunities across the wider region through an improved transport network, including improving roads and public transport and reducing congestion; • Giving local businesses the opportunity to access the supply chain for HS2 and boost employment in Sandwell;
• Sandwell businesses and people benefiting from economic growth across the region.
Today’s announcement of a proposed devolution agreement follows months of intensive negotiations between West Midlands leaders and the Government, in which Sandwell has taken a leading role.
The proposed agreement, which is a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to the West Midlands and the importance of the region to the national economy, is now subject to approval by all constituent West Midlands councils and the Government. The WMCA is due to be set up by spring 2016.
Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: “Today’s announcement is a major step towards realising this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the West Midlands, which has huge benefits for Sandwell.
“Speaking as a lead negotiator for the WMCA, I believe this can be a massive deal. It will help us in our plans to transform the area as a place for business to grow, boost the local economy, improve transport, provide good quality housing and bring greater prosperity for Sandwell people.
“By working together, we believe we can create a vibrant, successful and sustainable region where people want to live and invest. And by moving decision-making out of Whitehall directly to the West Midlands, we can and we will make a real difference.
“We want to support our residents into better qualified and better paid jobs through providing them with the right skills to take advantage of the growth in job opportunities that will come from this investment.
“The £200m land remediation fund means we can look at bringing brownfield sites – which we haven’t been able to do anything with for years – back into use. This would help us breathe new life into derelict and ageing industrial sites, creating new places for people to work and live.
“Together with the Metro extension and investment in new homes, these would be real visible benefits Sandwell people will see from this deal.”
Councillor Cooper added: “I cannot underestimate how a deal for the whole West Midlands will help connect people here in Sandwell with a wider range of opportunities across the region.
“Improving the region’s transport network and greater investment in public transport will link Sandwell residents to jobs, skills and opportunities right across the West Midlands and help businesses run more efficiently.
“Sandwell business and firms that support the wider West Midlands economy, particularly around the manufacturing sector, will benefit from investment in new infrastructure and buildings.
“There is also a commitment to deal with congestion issues – and investment in roads, junctions and the Metro extension will help us tackle traffic issues here in the Black Country.”
Governance arrangements for devolved powers have been the subject of negotiations between the West Midlands and the Government, including consideration of an elected mayor who would be responsible and accountable for devolved powers.
Councillor Cooper added: “Yes, there is some scepticism around having a ‘metro mayor’. However, the Government has a democratic mandate from the British people following the General Election that devolution of powers would require a mayor. And it’s been clear during our negotiations that devolution of these powers and this funding will be dependent on having an elected mayor.
“The devolution proposal is subject to approval by our full council – and what we have to do now is sell the key benefits.”
Stewart Towe, chair of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “For Sandwell, we are looking at significant improvements in the motorway junction network as well as extension of the Midland Metro. The Metro runs though the borough so potential extensions to Birmingham International Airport and Merry Hill ought to make life as a resident of Sandwell much more integrated to the transport network as a whole.
“We will also be working with the Government about land remediation as well more devolution for the skills budget. This means we can develop the skills of young people and get them into the right jobs. This is only the start of the ongoing devolution. What this says is we’re on the right track and there is confidence from the Government to continue our ongoing economic development.”
Ninder Johal, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “Anything that can bring additional powers and money to the area can only be good news for Sandwell.
“Sandwell has recently undergone significant transformation and this kind of devolved decision-making – as well as extra funds for skills and infrastructure – will encourage further inward investment and continue to heighten the level of confidence in the area.”
Graham Pennington, Sandwell College principal, said: “These proposals would give a more local focus to the skills agenda. We currently have a national framework for skills and skills funding, and devolution gives an opportunity for local organisations, whether employers or local authorities, to better suit local needs.
“We work as part of the Black Country colleges group and welcome this as an opportunity to work on a regional agenda with organisations such as the LEP and Combined Authority to help ensure local people have the skills they need and create greater business productivity to generate more wealth and jobs for the area.”
Key aspects of the proposed agreement for the West Midlands include:
• WMCA delivering an investment package worth more than £4 billion around HS2, with the potential to add £14 billion to the area’s economy as well as creating around 100,000 related jobs. This will include supporting Metro extensions from Wednesbury-Brierley Hill and to the HS2 Interchange;
• WMCA using devolved funding and administering the 19+ adult skills budget and business support programmes;
• A £200 million land remediation fund to allow brownfield land to be brought back into use for housing and employment; • WMCA developing a housing investment fund to support the development of new homes;
• A locally funding £1 billion Collective Investment Vehicle to help companies invest and grow in the region. This is on top of a planned £50 million Business Innovation Centre for the West Midlands; and
• The transformation of public services – the Government working alongside WMCA to improve the life chances of troubled individuals and reviewing the youth justice system.