Bold ambitions turned into practice in partnership
The role of the WMCA. After nearly 10 years of devolution, the WMCA itself is embarking on a transformation programme to ensure it is ready for the future. We are set to negotiate a multi-year Integrated Settlement and take on additional devolved responsibilities through the English Devolution White Paper. The priorities affirmed through this Green Paper will provide a focus for how we priorities our existing resources; help us to refresh, align and simplify our existing strategies and plans; and guide us towards the additional powers and resources we need to secure from HMG to drive change.
A strong, strategically aligned local—regional government partnership. The WMCA and its local authority partners are deepening their partnerships. We are delivering the West Midlands Partnership Plan, initiated last year by our constituent local authority leaders to clarify the roles and responsibilities of different tiers of local and regional government; and we are creating a reformed Economic Development Vehicle, to get the most impact from our collective economic development resources. The priorities of this Green Paper will provide focus for what we seek to achieve and deliver together.
A regional partnership. The WMCA and our local authority partners will lead the region’s economic transformation. But we do not have the resources or the capabilities to drive economic transformation on our own. But as a region—working with our businesses, investors, universities and colleges, central government, key public services, utilities and 40 community organisations—we have huge potential to drive change through aligning our collective resources and capabilities around shared priorities, as affirmed through this Green Paper. To our broader regional partners: this Green Paper asks for your commitment to work with us to progress our shared priorities. Every year, we will convene a Regional Partnership Summit, to keep the West Midlands partnership aligned to a shared direction of travel.