Executive Director's Report
August 2007
Over 100 businesses have recovered from the floods – thanks to the West Midlands Business Council. The Regional Development Agency responded to the business community by announcing a soft loans scheme for flood hit firms. Fighting crime will be at the heart of the Regional Development Agency's Economic Strategy. Business re-iterated its support for the development of Birmingham New Street Station in direct talks with Network Rail.
Floods
Over 100 businesses – who were struggling after being hit by the summer floods – are back on their feet as a result of the appeal from the West Midlands Business Council.
The Business Council – with the help of the National Farmers Union – teamed up with the ARC Addington Fund and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute – to launch an appeal for flood hit firms.
The Regional Development Agency – Advantage West Midlands – responded to our concerns and those of our members – by announcing a soft loans scheme for flood hit firms.
West Midlands Business Council Chairman, Barrie Williams, said:
"The summer floods have hit businesses very hard in areas of Birmingham, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire".
"Orders have been disrupted, the tourist summer season has been hit, supply chains have been cut and normally busy business premises are now damaged and reek of damp".
"No wonder that there are now fears, in some areas, that some firms could go bust with jobs being lost".
"That is why today's decision by Advantage West Midlands to provide a lifeline to flood hit firms is a step forward".
"By ringing 0845 113 1234, a business can find out from Business Link West Midlands if they are eligible for financial help to get over this short term crisis".
"Plus Business Link can provide free business support advice to flood hit firms to help them get over this difficult period".
"Following our discussions with Advantage West Midlands, it is good the Regional Development Agency has responded to the need to safeguard the future of local jobs".
"With the fund we launched with the ARC Addington Fund and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute for flood hit firms – on 024 7669 0587 – flood hit firms now has access to two sources of money to help them get back on their feet".
"We welcome the decision of Advantage West Midlands – following our discussions with the Agency – for them to talk to the banks so that firms have a breathing space to sort out their hard pressed cash flow problems".
If you want financial help after being hit by the floods you can call our appeal line on 024 7669 0587 – where donations would be also gratefully received.
To find out if you can get a soft loan if you have been hit by the floods please call Business Link on 0845 113 1234
Crime
Business welcomed the news from the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands, that tackling business crime will be a key target in the new Regional Economic Strategy.
West Midlands Business Council's Business Crime Forum Chairman – and Federation of Small Businesses' Regional Policy Unit Chair – Mike Cherry – said:
"After responding to the representations received to the consultation on the Regional Economic Strategy (RES), we are delighted to announce that the fight against business crime will be included in the revised RES".
"This is an important step as the RES is the governing strategy that leads on all major decisions on economic development across the West Midlands region".
"This should lead to real partnership and investment between the police, the Home Office and the Regional Development Agency".
"With business crime estimated by the Government Office for the West Midlands to cost the West Midlands region £14,000 per hour, as a very conservative figure, this decision is a boost in our work to deal with the criminals who are stifling the economic growth of the region".
"Advantage West Midlands already has a clear policy to consider funding applications in the Regeneration Zones - covering areas in Birmingham, Dudley, Coventry, Herefordshire, Nuneaton, Sandwell, south Staffordshire, Shropshire, north Solihull, north Staffordshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire - for anti business crime initiatives".
"We welcome this latest decision by the Regional Development Agency – coming in advance of the launch of the revised Regional Economic Strategy in November".
"It is clearly good news and demonstrates a clear commitment by Advantage West Midlands to take on board the genuine concerns of the business community".
Transport
In direct talks with Network Rail – the body responsible for the rail network – the West Midlands Business Council reiterated its stance that the development of Birmingham New Street Station – the rail hub of the West Midlands region – should be developed as a matter of priority.
The meeting, which included colleagues from the Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce and the Midland Association of Restaurants, Caterers, Hotels and Entertainment pressed for improvements to the rail network.
Asian Business Forum and the West Midlands Business Council – in talks with the public transport body for the West Midlands conurbation, Centro – expressed concern that so called "red routes" that was aimed to speed travel and help with bus travel was harming local shopping centres.
Planning
Business premises that have 24 hour operations should not be sidelined so that this land is used for housing.
That was the view of the West Midlands Business Council's Manufacturing Group – led by EEF West Midlands - which expressed its views to the West Midlands Regional Assembly - the public body responsible for planning – which could help with the continuation of a manufacturing base in the Midlands.
The Assembly is currently reviewing its regional planning strategy and that is why the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, for the Business Council, is asking businesses on its views on the planning strategy.
The West Midlands Business Council – with the sponsorship of Brightwells – and the help of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerced – held a planning seminar with the West Midlands Regional Assembly in Ludlow to find out the views of rural firms on the planning strategy.
Skills
The Government's new Department for Schools met with the West Midlands Business Council to encourage business sponsorship of City Academies. Further discussions are taking with the Department.
The Association of Colleges and the Learning and Skills Councils are stepping up their discussions on how a web link on the West Midlands Business Council website could be used to bring businesses and colleges together.
The West Midlands Business Council appeared with EEF West Midlands in front of a West Midlands Regional Assembly inquiry into skills. The Business Council expressed the view that there needed to be a demand led approach to training provision.
2012 Olympics and Paralympics
Two Midlands firms are in discussions with a major Australian firm to team up to bid for security work arising from the 2012 Games – thanks to the work of the West Midlands Business Council with the Australian Government.
To find out more about the business opportunities arising from the Games for Midlands firms, please go to www.ready-for-business.co.uk
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