In Summary
In Detail
As of today (Friday 31 March), the Black Country LEP (and Growth Hub), and Coventry and Warwickshire LEP have both officially closed their services following the Government’s announcement in last year’s Levelling-Up White Paper that all 38 LEPs in England were to integrate into their local democratic institutions.
Business support for the region's businesses, can now be accessed through the new 'Business Growth West Midlands' team at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The WMCA will oversee all work previously done by the LEPs, including determining local economic priorities, undertaking activities to drive economic growth and job creation, improving infrastructure, and raising workforce skills within the local area.
Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP (GBSLEP) will continue to operate until December 2023 and businesses can visit the GBSLEP Growth Hub website for support.
Business Growth West Midlands will be delivered by the seven local authorities in the region, which are Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton Council.
It will be coordinated by the WMCA and funded by a £42 million investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Laura Shoaf, chief executive of the WMCA, said: “I would like to thank both Black Country and Coventry LEP’s for all their hard work over the years in uniting businesses, organisations and individuals across the region to drive growth and create opportunities.
“Both LEPs have been successful in bringing millions of pounds of Government investment to support the West Midlands, enabling key infrastructure projects to become a reality and making a real difference to our region’s economy.”
City of Wolverhampton Council will also offer on-going employer support. Find out more here, or get in touch by emailing business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 555572 (from Monday 3 April).
