Business News


£1 billion on table for new WMCA projects in 2021/22


The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced that it is set to spend almost a billion pounds in 2021/22. The cash will be spent on infrastructure,


regeneration and job training schemes that could support the region’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Some £363m will be spent on transport projects


alone, which the authority says will help drive economic growth and create cleaner air. Projects include expanding Birmingham’s Metro


tram system, and opening new railway lines and stations at Darlaston, Willenhall, Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell.


‘The investments outlined in this budget will help the West Midlands make significant strides towards a quick and effective recover’


There will also be the development of the ‘Sprint’


rapid bus network, using zero emission vehicles, and support for what is called the ‘continuing conversion of buses from diesel to hybrid’. There will also be more cycling and walking routes,


concessionary travel for older people, the blind, disabled and children, and sums of £11m for subsidised bus services, £7m for Ring and Ride and nearly £4m for transport for the Commonwealth Games. Money will also be spent on unlocking and


transforming the region’s derelict industrial sites for new, energy efficient homes and jobs, relieving pressure on the Green Belt. Away from infrastructure, an Adult Education


Budget (AEB) of £142m, claimed as the biggest of any UK region outside London, will be used to give


people, especially those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the skills needed to get back into work and to secure jobs in growing sectors such as construction, digital and the emerging green industries. Despite outlining its intentions to splash the cash,


the WMCA board warned of the financial uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with recent independent research suggesting the West Midlands could be hit harder than any other UK regional economy. West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “The


investments outlined in this budget will help the West Midlands make significant strides towards a quick and effective recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as tackling the climate emergency facing our region. “We’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in


our green public transport network, with zero carbon and Sprint buses, new rail stations, cycling infrastructure, and of course Metro extensions – with almost £100m alone being spent over the next year on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension. “Meanwhile more than £116m is being spent on the


remediation of derelict brownfield land, saving acres of greenbelt from development, and we’re investing £142m to level up our skills, getting us ready for the huge boost in the green jobs of the future as we look to help get people into work. “What these investments will do is help to create


and protect jobs at what is such a critical time for many people’s livelihoods, whilst also helping us on our way to becoming carbon neutral by 2041. “We are managing to deliver all of this without


costing the taxpayer any more money, as this will be the fourth year in a row where we have not introduced a mayoral precept, meaning not an extra penny from us will be added to people’s council tax bills.”


Traffic easing measure gains funding


Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) is to spend a million pounds to solve a traffic bottleneck. Half of the money is being made


available through the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s (GBSLEP) Local Growth Fund. The bottleneck is a roundabout


on the A452 near the NEC, which causes the traffic to back up. The UGC scheme will create a lane that bypasses the roundabout for traffic heading north, and it is hoped this will solve the problem. The UGC says the issue will also


help its UK Central Hub project, which is a 1,300-hectare area of land in Solihull near the M42, comprising Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Business Park and the 140-hectare Arden Cross, site of the proposed HS2 Interchange Station. The Hub project is one of four


economic development areas identified by Solihull Council - along with Solihull town centre, North Solihull and Blythe Valley - which are together branded as ‘UK Central’. The roundabout scheme will be


completed by June next year. Sue Barrett, UGC commercial and contracts director, said: “Smaller, individual improvement schemes like this make significant contributions to our broader, strategic vision for The Hub. “They serve as critical enablers


for growth by ensuring the area continues to enjoy unrivalled road, rail and air connectivity.”


SCC announce support for Molly Olly’s Wishes


IT firm SCC is sponsoring national children’s charity Molly Olly’s Wishes for the next 12 months. Molly Olly’s Wishes supports


children with life threatening or life limiting illnesses and their families to help with their emotional wellbeing. The charity grants individual


wishes and donates therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK. Wishes are provided for children


aged up to18, and have an average a value of £500. They can be for anything from medical aids and equipment, toys, bedroom makeovers, outside play equipment and garden improvements, days out, shopping vouchers, electronic devices, arts and crafts, funds to help with transport costs. SCC has long supported the


charity, through sponsorship of its


annual ball, and by raising thousands of pounds independently via employee contributions and volunteering days. Under the new, formal


arrangement, Molly Olly’s Wishes becomes SCC’s official charity partner for the next year, with the company donating two wishes per month, nominated by its employees. SCC chief executive Mike Swain


said: “We’re proud to launch this new partnership with Molly Olly’s Wishes. SCC takes its responsibility to the communities in which it operates incredibly seriously, demonstrated by the long line of initiatives we’ve delivered.’ Charity trustee Rachel


Ollerenshaw, said: “We grant over 300 wishes per year to children based across the UK and SCC’s sponsorship will help us reach many more children and families who need help.”


March 2021 CHAMBERLINK 17


Rachel Ollerenshaw: Charity relies on support


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72