APPENDIX 1
MISSION STATEMENT
WEST MIDLANDS
REGION—INCORPORATING
A CITY REGION
AND SUB-REGIONAL
APPROACH
The overriding objective of West Midlands Regional
Assembly is to achieve the long term sustainable regeneration
of the region. We are committed to working together and in partnership
with national Government and other partners to achieve our purpose.
Our response to the Government's challenge to consider the City
Region approach is positive and proactive.
ONE
A key role of the Assembly is to facilitate
regional strategic partnership work. This Mission Statement—"West
Midlands Region—Incorporating A City Region and Sub-Regional
Approach" has been developed in that spirit of partnership.
The West Midlands Regional Assembly supports
sub-regional partnership working and the move taken by the seven
metropolitan authorities to develop a City Region approach at
the heart of the West Midlands Region. The West Midlands Regional
Assembly welcomes the steps taken by Stoke-on-Trent to explore
such an approach.
TWO
The Assembly recognises that the City Region
approach is:
— A challenge from ODPM to which the
Region, its sub-regions and partners is responding positively.
— A key delivery vehicle for the Regional
Spatial Strategy, Regional Housing Strategy especially the Urban
Renaissance element and Regional Economic Strategy.
— Capable of balancing demands and
needs of other settlements and centres as part of a polycentric
West Midlands Region.
THREE
The Assembly will work with City Region to ensure
it:
— Develops within the framework set
by the Regional Spatial Strategy.
— Recognises the realities of economic,
travel and housing patterns but acknowledge administrative boundaries.
— Strengthens the Region's profile
in the UK, Europe and globally.
— Recognises and support the role of
and linkages to other cities, towns and settlements in the West
Midlands Region.
— Recognises and enhance the interdependence
between urban and rural areas and economies to ensure a successful
City Region approach.
— Is able to demonstrate/evidence how
the City Region approach will contribute to the Region's competitiveness.
— Is able to add value to the social,
economic and environmental well-being of the West Midlands Region.
— Help to achieve sustainable communities.
— Integral to and accountable to the
whole West Midlands Region through appropriate governance arrangements.
FOUR
The Assembly makes the following commitments:
The Assembly is committed to working with the
seven Metropolitan authorities, Stoke-on-Trent and all other local
authorities to secure robust and transparent governance arrangements
and working links with partners from national Government, local
government, the private, public and voluntary sectors. Our objective
is to ensure that the City Region approach is compatible and accountable
to the region in which it is based and to West Midlands Regional
Assembly.
Our commitment to regional working and the City
Region approach is to continue to facilitate discussion leading
to coherent and integrated regional policy which is deliverable
and developed with, and owned by sub-regional partnerships and
local authorities and agencies.
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