Business News
Meet the candidates in the West Midlands mayoral race
JAMES BURN (GREEN PARTY)
I'm standing as the Green Party’s candidate for the West Midlands mayor because I want to see an inclusive and accountable authority, focused on building a home-grown economy, based on up-and- coming areas (like low carbon manufacturing and innovation) where no-one and no area is left behind. So, what would that look like for the business community? To start with, it means a commitment to listen
to business owners, and to take an active approach to engaging and collaborating. It means setting up methods by which I can be held to account as mayor. Currently, the existing proposals for scrutinising the mayor and WMCA are very lacking indeed. Tackling this needs to be the mayor’s first priority. Whilst I welcome appropriate outside investment, I would re-focus the
WMCA on building a home-grown economy based on likely future growth areas that match our existing unique strengths (for example, low carbon manufacturing and innovation) rather than competing with other Combined Authorities for a limited pot of inward investment. I also want to see far more assistance given to existing and new small
and medium-sized businesses which are based in the area. But as I outlined at the beginning of this piece, I am committed to being a
mayor who listens to everyone in the West Midlands. I’m starting as I mean to continue, so please get in touch with your thoughts, ideas and challenges. Together we can then shape the best possible plan for the region.
BEVERLEY NEILSEN (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)
Every year over the past 20 years I’ve heard business complain about the ‘overlooked Middle’. We all know we’ve not had our fair share of essential investment, with congestion alone hitting business with a £3bn annual charge. We need investment not cuts. Devo 1 however
comes at a high price - local authorities are to balance their books through c£4bn further cuts a year, with the withdrawal of the block grant safety net in 2020 - in return for some devolved powers and £36.5m annual revenues over 30 years. We must now raise our business voice to
ensure we're recognised for our full contribution. Keeping quiet is not an option. We need to see business support aimed at creating
manufacturing clusters and supply chains enabling our high tech engineering and craft-skills to prosper. We need a regulatory enforcement regime that is based on true risk
assessments as recommended by the Better Regulation Task Force, not an absolutist approach implemented by non-practitioners. Yes, we need far more investment in integrated infrastructures, including Birmingham Airport expansion. but let's not waste our money on nationalising the M6 Toll. A more practical route is to free up the arteries by creating a balanced and inclusive transport system. We need to help SMEs to thrive and grow - and if elected mayor, I
pledge this group of businesses will be my top priority. Investment will be aimed first and foremost at supporting our own business growth.
16 CHAMBERLINK December 2016/January 2017
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