House of Commons - Business and Enterprise Committee

Regional development agencies and the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill - Business and Enterprise Committee Contents

APPENDIX

A HISTORY OF REGIONAL PLANNING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS (APRIL 2006)

WEST MIDLANDS PLANNING AUTHORITIES CONFERENCE 1967-81

In 1955 a Joint Overspill Committee was set up by the County Councils of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire and Birmingham City Council with the objective of dispersing population and industry from Birmingham. At this time these Authorities were faced by important cross-boundary issues because of the problems created by an expanding conurbation. Initially, therefore, it was these problems which resulted in formal inter-Authority co-operation which was the embryo from which grew a wider Regional, organisation in the next decade.

Following Local Government reorganisation resulting from the West Midlands Order, 1965, the County Councils of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire and Herefordshire and the County Borough Councils of Birmingham, Dudley, Solihull, Walsall, Warley, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton formed in 1967, the West Midlands Planning Authorities Conference (WMPAC). In the following year the County Boroughs of Coventry, Burton-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent and Worcester also became Members.

The terms of reference of this Conference were:

"To examine the problems of overspill and make proposals for their solution.

To study the longer term needs of the West Midlands Conurbation and associated areas and to suggest the broad strategy of such matters as land use, population, integration of transport, employment and other major planning and allied issues of common interest.

To provide a forum whereby the views of constituent Authorities on matters referred to above can be appropriately assembled and studied in liaison as may be necessary with Government Departments and other Authorities and bodies concerned".

Following the Local Government Act of 1972 and the further re-organisation of Local Government in 1974, the Conference was reconstituted with membership comprising the five new Counties, seven Metropolitan Districts and the District of Stoke-on-Trent. The terms of reference of the new Conference were similar to those of its predecessor:

"To keep under review the main planning issues of a Regional nature including the monitoring of the broad Regional Strategy and other Regional matters such as land use, population, integration of transport, employment, etc. and also to liaise as may be necessary with Government Departments and other Authorities and bodies concerned".

The differences between the first and second Conference were mainly those of membership, because the Local Government re-organisation had created and changed Authorities, and there were also differences in the issues being faced by the second Conference in the late 70s compared with those arising in the different circumstances of the late 60s and early 70s.

Over the years WMPAC conducted its affairs by means of meetings of the full Conference ie elected Members from each Constituent Authority and through a smaller Executive Committee. Various officer groups aided the deliberations of these Members—particularly an Administration Group and a Technical Officers Panel, together with specialist groups working on the various planning issues of a Regional nature and other Regional matters with which Conference concerned itself. A team of Permanent Officers, the West Midland Regional Study Team, was established in 1968.

Between 1967 and 1981 Conference was concerned to produce, and then to update, a Regional Strategy and also with many particular issues of common interest to the Authorities, which often transcended Local Government boundaries. These included the availability of residential and industrial land throughout the Region, the working of aggregates, population and household changes and their implications, Regional transport needs, together with the performance of the economy of the West Midlands and prospects for employment. Numerous reports on these matters were produced over a considerable period of time, often forming the means of agreement and action between the various Authorities in the Region, and over the years representations were made to Government on a wide range of issues of Regional concern.

WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL STRATEGY

West Midland Regional Study Report 1971

In 1968, Conference's Study Team was charged to produce a report, with recommenda-tions which could be put forward to Conference and which would lead to a Strategy for the Region for the period to 1981, and in lesser detail to 2001. Conference and, indeed, Government, were concerned that the immediate issues before the Region—the pressures of its population growth, the stresses of its industrial structure and the pressures from its conurbation—should be resolved within the framework of a clear and incisive strategy. The terms of reference laid particular emphasis on the need for proposals to accommodate the scale of growth, its location and timing. The wide-ranging approach also included Region-wide problems, for example, in agriculture, recreation, countryside end rural areas.

Some indication of the growth pressures that were being experienced and expected in the Region at that time is illuminating. Population was expected to grow from 4.9 million in 1966 by 1.5 million up to 1981 and by a further 1 million up to 2001. In addition to the housing needs arising, there were also very substantial redistribution or "overspill" needs resulting from a shortfall in the conurbation of about 100,000 dwellings in the short-term.

The Region's economy and employment were still growing. Employment had, for example, increased by 150,000 in the five years up to 1966 and further growth was anticipated. There were reservations about the continuing mobility of industry, and in the longer term the Region's dependence on manufacturing industry. Average monthly unemployment stood at 30,000.

A preferred Strategy, putting forward changes in the disposition of housing and employment and the commuting, communications, infrastructure, services and social consequences of accommodating the changes, was put to Conference in 1971 in a report entitled "A Developing Strategy for the West Midlands". A number of substantial Technical Appendices were also published which set out the technical background work in some detail. This work, which had taken place under Conference's auspices, subsequently assisted materially both the technical and strategic framework within which the first round of Structure Plans were prepared across the West Midlands.

Public consultations were then carried out by Conference, and in January 1974 the Secretary of State for the Environment set out his views in a letter to the Chairman of Conference which, taken together with an updated report by Conference,—"A Developing Strategy for the West Midlands" with Addendum—was formally adopted as the Planning Strategy for the West Midlands Region for the period to 1986—The Orange Book.

JOINT MONITORING: 1974-77

The Strategy marked the end of a lengthy period of discussion between Authorities and Government Departments which, for example, extended the Strategy from 1981 to 1986. This paved the way for arrangements under which the Economic Planning Council and the regional Departments of Central Government were invited to share with Conference the responsibility of monitoring, ie continuing to establish and interpret the facts about the Region and their strategic implications. A Steering Group, comprising senior Civil Servants and Conference Officers, was set up to decide the priority areas of work, receive technical reports and submit reports to Ministers, the Economic Planning Council, and Conference.

This joint monitoring organisation was the first at regional level to be set up in this country. It produced a series of analytical reports which, through the Steering Group, kept Conference, its Authorities, Government and a wider public aware of the rapidly changing economic and social situation which was developing during the early 1970s. Annual Reports, summarising the more detailed reports, were published in 1975 and 1976. The second of these documents reported that:

"Our stocktaking to-date shows that the Regional outlook has changed since the original Strategy package was constructed in several significant ways:

— total Regional population growth will be much less than previously assumed;

— the growth of households is continuing;

— overspill from the urban centre may be less than previously estimated;

— industrial mobility will be less than previously anticipated;

— both personal and resource costs of commuting are more significant than they used to be;

— employment growth in both manufacturing industry and services will be lower than previously anticipated;

— public expenditure levels will be lower than previously anticipated and resource constraints may have an important influence on development;

— there is an increasing awareness of the social and economic problems of urban areas and particularly inner areas. "

The Secretary of State agreed with Conference that it was therefore necessary to update the existing Strategy and carry it forward to 1991, and in 1977 it was agreed to carry out this Updating as a tripartite exercise.

UPDATING THE EXISTING STRATEGY AND THE I980 REGIONAL STRATEGY

The aim of Updating the Regional Strategy was to reconcile the existing Strategy with the radical changes which had been occurring; to provide a Regional framework for considering the next round of Structure Plans; to deal with economic, social and environmental priorities; and to provide a context for expenditure and investment decisions. The Joint Steering Group deliberately confined themselves to four agreed priority work areas—population and housing, the future of the Regional Economy, the implications of Structure Plan decisions, and related resource issues.

It was recognised from the outset that the whole situation facing the West Midlands had changed. Although Government still bracketed the Region with the South-East as one of the most prosperous parts of the country, both the Economic Planning Council and Conference had drawn attention as early as 1971 to indicators that the economic situation was changing. The Joint Monitoring work between 1974-1977 had underlined and emphasised this and concluded that one of the most important issues emerging in the West Midlands was concern about the economy. In the 1970s the issues were almost the reverse of those of the post-war period. From actively promoting the overspill of people and jobs to outer locations, concern was now focused on the problems of urban areas.

Some indication of the nature of changes being experienced and expected in the Region at that time is illuminating. Population change had slowed dramatically and the total stood just below 5.2 million throughout the 1970s. Future growth was uncertain but seemed likely to range from only 83,000 up to 233,000 over the fifteen years 1976 to 1991. Very significant changes were anticipated as arising within the population, however, including an increase of 250,000 in the labour supply. Over the same period a growth of 200-250,000 households was also expected. Much of the Region's housing stock was inadequate both structurally and environmentally. There were 213,000 unfit or substandard dwellings and over 179,000 in need of renovation or repair: the majority of these were concentrated in urban areas such as Birmingham.

Many of the Region's manufacturing industries, vehicles, metals and engineering were facing severe difficulties, and employment in these industries was declining rapidly. These losses had previously been offset by growth in the service sector, which was not expected to continue. At best, total employment was not expected to grow over the years to 1991, decline was more probable. By 1979 average monthly unemployment stood at 128,000.

The leading policies which emerged from the Updating process, therefore, were those for "Economic Regeneration" and "Urban Regeneration" together with the best use of existing Resources. The principal aim of the Updated Regional Strategy was to reflect the radical changes in circumstances affecting the Region and to move away from an over-emphasis on the redistribution of population and employment—the main themes of the previous strategy. While migration was still important, indeed provision had already been made, the Updated Strategy made it clear that the redistribution of "new" growth was not its main concern. Its essential elements and measures related to the existing pattern of housing, jobs and transport and the best use of these existing Resources. The Strategy therefore centred on the Economic Regeneration of the Region and the Urban Regeneration of its older areas such as large parts of the Black Country, Birmingham, North Staffordshire and Coventry. The need for Urban Regeneration clearly extended over a much wider area than the Inner City, already the subject of Central/Local Government initiatives.

Each of the three sponsors—Conference, the Economic Planning Council and Government, were kept closely in touch with progress throughout and formally consulted on the three stages in the process, viz: Assessments, Implications and Policy Options. An awareness of the marked changes in circumstances was therefore reflected in the pragmatic proposals that were put forward for the Region and for each of the main sub-regions: the Metropolitan area and surrounding "Middle Ring"; North Staffordshire; and the Rural West.

The Regional Strategy proposals were submitted to the Secretary of State in August 1979 in two volumes—the first by the Joint Steering Group. Because the Economic Planning Board—representing Central Government, did not in the event find themselves in a position to finally put forward proposals to Government on the economy, Conference and the Economic Planning Council adhered to the original intention to give proper emphasis to the deteriorating economic prospects of the Region and to put forward policies aimed at Central Government. Therefore, the companion volume—"The Regional Economy: Problems and Proposals"—set out a variety of policies which were designed to explore ways in which industry, Local Authorities and Central Government could work together more decisively to facilitate economic growth.

Public consultations were again carried out by Conference and these indicated that there was overwhelming support for the main emphasis of the Strategy and its priorities. A report on the Consultations and Conference's views was submitted to the Secretary of State in February I980, and in July I980, in setting out strategic guidance for future land use policies, he confirmed that they should be geared to facilitate economic recovery and development, especially by freeing private initiative from undue constraints and encouraging private investment in the Region. He agreed also that considerable emphasis should be given to the regeneration of the older urban areas and that "a major spatial restructuring of the Region is unlikely".

Conference welcomed these aspects of the Secretary of State's response, but found it disappointing that so little was said about Economic Regeneration, one of the two main planks of the submitted Strategy, and indeed identified as the first priority and a key factor in achieving Urban Regeneration. Conference was also concerned at the inference by the Secretary of State that Urban Regeneration was a matter of "choice" for Authorities, rather than a commitment which should be reflected in public sector investment programmes. Emphasis by the Secretary of State on the location of development was seen as confirming that some local issues remained to be resolved at the local level. Conference issued a statement in September I980 in response to the reply, which emphasised these points and reaffirmed the Authorities' intention to develop the submitted Strategy in their Structure and Local Plan work.

In August 1979 the Economic Planning Council had been disbanded and Conference therefore reverted once again to being the body primarily responsible for Regional Strategic Planning in the West Midlands. Particularly in the light of the radical changes that had already occurred and been noted in the Region, it would be unrealistic to presume that a pattern of change would not continue and that this, as well as the Region's Strategy, would require monitoring by the new Conference.

Meanwhile, the issues raised in "The Regional Economy: Problems and Proposals" continued to be pressed with Government. In September 1980, the Minister of State for Industry visited the West Midlands and gave Conference's representatives the opportunity of reaffirming their concern regarding the economy of the West Midlands Region.

OTHER REGIONAL ISSUES

Population and Housing

The growth and movement of population in the Region and the consequent need to provide services and especially new housing has always been of strategic significance and therefore, one of the primary concerns of Conference. Considerable emphasis was placed on the analysis and monitoring of population changes, their varying distribution within the Region and their effects on the demand for dwellings. Assessment of housing conditions, in the conurbation area particularly, made it possible to determine the relative balance between housing supply and demand and as one result, throughout the life of Conference, there was technical agreement across the Region on the changing levels of overspill. As well as providing an essential input to successive Regional Strategies, it was also possible to aid consistency between regional population and household forecasts and those of Authorities in the Region.

Whilst it was felt that the high population growth levels experienced in the West Midlands in the past were unlikely to be reached again in the foreseeable future, structural changes remained very important, eg there were, for example, decreasing numbers of school-age and increasing numbers of working age, coupled with continuing rapid growth in households. Also there was continuing movement of population from the older urban areas of the Region to newer residential locations, and persistent difficulties encountered in efforts to achieve a sufficient rate of improvement in existing housing conditions in view of the prevailing financial constraints. This demonstrates the continuing significance of an issue which preoccupied Conference since its inception and which still merits attention from Authorities collectively.

The Regional Economy and Employment

Conference always reflected a deep concern for the economic well-being of the people who lived and worked in the Region. The successor Conference also played a major role in this field, thus continuing a tradition, which has long been established, of joint involvement by Authorities in economic issues.

The predecessor of Conference, the Joint Overspill Committee, was primarily concerned in the 50s and early 60s with the dispersal of people from Birmingham to surrounding counties but the Committee understood the need to attempt to ensure that housing development was matched by a commensurate growth in jobs. An Industrial Bureau was therefore formed in order to facilitate the movement of firms and give advice and information to industrialists on the availability of land and premises. Publicity was aimed at firms wishing to expand but which could not do so in their existing premises; at firms occupying dilapidated or obsolete premises; or at firms changing processes or introducing new products and consequently needing more space.

There was, therefore, already a history of involvement prior to the formation of WMPAC in 1967. At that time the urgent need was to accommodate "mobile" industry in areas where labour was available. The expansion or displacement of conurbation firms was in stark contrast to the climate in which WMPAC functioned in its later years but ironically it is precisely the same type of firm which Local Authorities were later seeking to assist through their economic initiatives coupled, of course, with establishing new enterprises in order to stimulate growth.

Over the years representations were made to Government Ministers on a number of issues, for example, the vital role of the motor industry in this Region; Industrial Development Certificates; derelict land clearance; the inadequacy of employment and unemployment statistics, and also the EEC Regional Development Fund.

During the late 1970's Conference found increasingly that it needed to undertake this important advocacy exercise in seeking acknowledgement, particularly from Central Government, that the economic circumstances in the Region had been changing rapidly for a number of years. This Region's heavier dependence on manufacturing than any other region and the fact that many of its principal industries were facing severe structural change—coupled with the wider recessionary influences affecting the national economy—meant that in the 1980's and beyond, the industries of the Region faced very serious problems, and employment prospects for the foreseeable future appeared very bleak indeed.

The Availability of Land for Development

In a Region having a major conurbation, the availability of land for residential development has always been an important issue. In particular, in 1968 the Minister raised the question whether adequate land with planning permission was available to the building industry. Subsequently, Conference carried out a major enquiry and following a number of similar surveys, continued to carefully monitor the land availability situation on an annual basis. It has been concerned to establish the amount of land with planning permission and also other land formally allocated for development, as well as the impact of physical constraints on development (such as the location of sewage disposal facilities] and the time when such constraints might be lifted. This information has enabled the Authorities collectively, through Conference, not only to be aware of the adequacy, or otherwise of available land across a whole range of different categories but also to help monitor the output of the housebuilding industry and the progress from year to year towards Structure Plan targets.

By keeping abreast of the situation in this way Conference was able to provide the Secretary of State with evidence, in the Updated Regional Strategy, that no new provision of land for housing on a strategic scale was required in the near future. With limited resources overall, further major allocations could well have had the effect of restricting progress in urban regeneration while at the same time stimulating additional costly migration from the Metropolitan area into the Shire Counties.

Similar information on industrial land across the Region was also prepared by Conference each year. Conference was always concerned to encourage industrial initiatives, and the provision of serviced land was one of the most important contributions a Local Authority could make. Monitoring helped to ensure that Authorities were aware of the situation and able to judge the adequacy of available land. A specialist group—the Information Working Party—advised Conference on land availability and a wide range of other statistical material including surveys and the National Censuses.

Aggregates

Conference was recognised as the Regional commissioning body for the Aggregates Working Party (RAWP). This comprised representatives from Local Authorities, from the mineral industries and from the Department of the Environment, and reported regularly. It was, and still is, one of a series covering the regions of England and Wales. The Working Party's terms of reference required it to consider the short-term Regional demand for aggregates and the permitted reserves available for working, and to indicate any likely shortfall or surplus. As part of this work the West Midlands RAWP carried out major surveys on production, reserves and marketing and published the findings, and was involved in assessing demand and exploring resources and constraints. The longer-term situation to 1991 and beyond was also reviewed by the RAWP, through Conference, as part of the preparation of national guidelines by the Secretary of State.

Green Belt

In April 1975, Conference published a Green Belt map to serve as a general guide to the extent of the approved Green Belt in the Region at that time. A Green Belt policy has been effectively operated by Authorities since the late 1950s, although it was net until 1974/75 that most of the Green Belt was confirmed by the Secretary of State. At that time large tracts were designated as "interim Green Belt", to be administered as Green Belt until their future was resolved in Structure and Local Plans. Subsequently much of this land was confirmed as full Green Belt.

The Green Belt around the Metropolitan area has long been a strategic element in regional planning in the West Midlands, and the Secretary of State in responding to the Updated Regional Strategy, confirmed that "approved Green Belt should be long-term in character and not subject to frequent review. Controls should be well-understood and applied rigidly".

Toxic Wastes

Over the years, Conference convened a number of specialist groups to consider ad hoc questions as they arose. A good example was the Working Party convened in 1976 to consider the problems of the disposal of dangerous wastes. Estimates of toxic waste arisings in each County, and details of disposal facilities, were assembled with the help of the Waste Disposal Officers and recommendations were put to Conference and Government. Among the recommendations were the preparation of Subject Plans in collaboration with Waste Disposal Departments and the identification and protection of suitable disposal sites, and Government was urged to encourage recycling of wastes, and to encourage each region to be broadly self-sufficient in treatment facilities.

Airports

For several years while various major Government-sponsored studies into airport development, in "Central England" and in the South-East, were under discussion, a Working Party on Airports reported to Conference. There was consistent regional support for moderate expansion of Birmingham Airport, and this policy has subsequently been implemented.

Transport

By contrast, Conference's long-standing concern with transportation was reflected in the existence of a Transportation Planning Group (which continues today). This included technical representatives of Local and Central Government and transport operators. In a region having a major conurbation, transport matters, and especially the issue of commuting into and within that urban area, have always been of strategic importance. The Region faced (and still does) the whole spectrum of transportation issues, right through to the problems associated with extensive rural areas. During 1976 the Group produced a major Transportation Analysis for the Region which, among other purposes, formed part of the work on the Regional Strategy. Both in the Strategy and through representations made by Conference, the Group was concerned to urge the early completion of the Regional Strategic Highway Network, in particular the M54 and M42 as well as the Birmingham-Oxford link and improved routes to the East Coast ports. Conference made representations to Government on this and many other transport issues, particularly emphasising the direct relationship to the Region's economy.

Conference was very much aware that the major influences for the future were likely to be the increasing shortage and high cost of fuel and the lack of financial resources for investment in public transport, in new road projects—both urban and rural—and in improvements and maintenance.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDED:

1. "A DEVELOPING STRATEGY FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS", 1971:

Report of the West Midland Regional Study, 1971

Technical Appendices 1972:

(i) Population Study

(ii) Housing Study

(iii) Economic Studies 1 and 2, Economic Study 3, Industrial Mobility

(iv) Evaluation I

(v) Evaluation II—Planning Balance Sheet (Nathaniel Lichfield & Assoc.)

(vi) Communications (Freeman Fox & Partner)

Report of W.M.P.A.C. with Statement by Secretary of State, 1974

2. JOINT MONITORING:

First Annual Report of Joint Monitoring Steering Group, 1975 and

General Population Analysis

General Migration Analysis

Employment Trends in West Midlands Region, 1961-73

West Midlands Industry

Second Annual Report of Joint Monitoring Steering Group, 1976 and

General Housing Analysis, 1961-74

Service Industries in the West Midlands Region

Analysis of Socio-Economic Groups 1961-71

Small Firms in the West Midlands Economy

An Analysis of Net Manufacturing Output, 1958-68

Development in Regional Strategic Locations, 1971-75

Projection of Labour Supply and Demand Levels at 1981

General Transportation Analysis, 1961-75

3. UPDATING AND ROLLING FORWARD OF THE REGIONAL STRATEGY TO 1991:

Report of the Joint Monitoring Steering Group, 1979

The Regional Economy—Problems and Proposals, 1979

Current Developments in the West Midlands Economy (April 1975)

The West Midlands Motor Vehicle Industry (July 1975)

Population and Households, 1975-1991 (May 1977)

Future of the Regional Economy, 1975-1991 (May 1977)

West Midlands Aggregates Working Party, Stage 1 Report (May 1977)

Transportation Assessment (July 1977)

West Midlands Aggregates Working Party, 1977 Re-Survey (November 1979)

West Midlands Aggregates Working Party, Regional Commentary Part I (July 1980)

West Midlands Forum of County Councils 1981-86

(The County Councils of Hereford & Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands)

The West Midlands has a long history of Local Authorities working together regionally—extending back to mid-50s. The Forum differed from its predecessor, the West Midlands Planning Authorities Conference, in that it moved away from a concentration on strategic land-use planning within the Region, to objectives which emphasised regional advocacy and a more effective regional voice.

It was necessary for regional advocacy to take several forms, ranging from the clear expression of problems; making comparisons with other regions; making specific proposals; bidding for a better share of existing national resources; and for the application of new national policies to the Region.

Objectives of Forum

— To take such steps as are necessary to secure the well-being of the inhabitants of the West Midlands Region and the improvement of its economy, and for this purpose to receive and disseminate views and information as a basis for a Regional view.

— To ensure that a Regional voice is expressed within and beyond the West Midlands Region, including the European Economic Community.

— To consider the strategic, physical, transportation and economic planning issues of the Region and to be responsive to changes in the West Midlands Regional circumstances.

— To take such initiatives as are necessary to secure these objectives, including the production, monitoring and updating of the Regional Strategy for the West Midlands, either through the policies of the five County Councils or, where appropriate, in liaison with other organisations, Government Departments or planning authorities.

Economy and Employment

The industrial and regional policies of successive Governments had acted to the positive disadvantage of the West Midlands. At the time Forum was established the official view remained that the Region was suffering from no more than the cyclical effect of the recession and that it would rapidly pull out with an economic upturn. In all aspects of official policy the West Midlands were bracketed firmly with the South-East as the most prosperous regions.

Forum set out to focus on the long-term underlying structural problems that were affecting the Region's economy and its over-dependence on manufacturing industries—in particular the metal working industries—many of which had been contracting for over 10 years. A series of reports "Indicators of Change" were published which sharply contrasted the West Midlands with other regions, focussing on the economic and employment deterioration, its scale and depth. Regional MP's were kept fully informed of the situation and MP's across the Country also were made aware of the changes in the West Midlands.

It is important that the stance Forum took was not as purveyors of "doom and gloom", and while a realistic appraisal of the economic and employment circumstances as the recession deepened was crucial, the intention was to illustrate the scale of action that was necessary to provide a platform for changes in policy and priorities and to take action.

Economic Advocacy—a wider more authoritative base: The West Midlands Regional Economic Consortium

Forum had long recognised the need for a small effective body which could advocate on behalf of the Region and respond quickly on issues, ensuring that a common regional view was expressed within and beyond the Region. The West Midlands had suffered in comparison with other regions from its inability to express a common view. Forum took the initiative in 1983 in calling together, first separately and then jointly, regionally representative organisations: the CBI, the TUC, and Chambers of Commerce, to discuss the formation of a body to provide the focus for a "Regional voice". Each of the organisations involved recognised the need for such a body.

As a result the West Midlands Regional Economic Consortium was formally established. It was made up of leading representatives of the four organisations involved; the regional CBI, regional T.U.C., regional Chambers of Commerce, as well as Forum.

The Consortium's objective was:

"To identify, develop and present a unified view on regional economic and employment problems, issues, and the measures needed to deal with them".

The first task was to identify the common ground between the four bodies in terms of issues facing the Region and the action required. On this basis, it was decided that the Consortium should focus on:

— Those measures which would best help existing industry in the Region;

— Effective steps to secure a widening of the existing economic base;

— Employment.

Forum's Director was the Executive Director of the Consortium.

The Consortium progressed a selected number of economic issues each year and enabled a more informed regional approach. For example, it took on board Forum's report on Derelict Land and a delegation met with the Secretary of State, Kenneth Baker, to press upon him the seriousness of the derelict land situation in this Region. The Consortium also invited the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to visit the Region on the question of derelict land. A delegation met him—a rare occurrence for a Treasury Minister—and pressed the need for an increase in national allocations for this growing problem.

The Region's Potential—Investment from Abroad: The West Midlands Industrial Development Association

At the same time as drawing attention to the Region's economic and employment problems, Forum continued to emphasise the Region's positive assets and the need to promote and exploit them, more particularly by attracting commercial and industrial development from overseas.

Regional policy had severely limited the opportunities for this Region's assets to be promoted overseas and attract investment. Forum held discussions with the Invest in Britain Bureau as early as November 1982 seeking to improve the situation and provide better co-operation. The Government subsequently agreed that this Region should be open to inward investment.

As part of the developing liaison with the Regional Chambers of Commerce and CBI, Forum became a joint sponsor with those bodies and the Department of Industry of a newly established regional Industrial Development Association intended to secure investment from overseas by vigorously marketing the Region's opportunities. This was part of a wider aim to release the Region from many of the restrictions that had inhibited development and been detrimental to its industry, economy and employment.

WMIDA's objective was:

— To attract inward industrial and commercial investment from overseas.

The Association was unique in that it was jointly funded by private industry, Local Authorities and the Department of Trade and Industry. Forum was making a contribution of £100,000 a year from September 1983 on behalf of the Region's Local Authorities. WMIDA was managed by a small Board of Directors, on which Forum was represented. An Advisory Council was also set up so that WMIDA could keep in touch with all its supporting authorities and organisations at Chief Executive level.

Forum also maintained contact with WMIDA on a wide range of day to day issues; and brought together, at the operational level, WMIDA and Industrial Development Officers from the Region a precursor for the current Economic Development Officers Group), particularly those whose Authorities were active overseas. A practical interchange of ideas, experience, expertise and information was developed to ensure the most effective use of the Association's and the Authorities' resources.

By vigorously marketing the Region's many opportunities, it was hoped to secure investment from overseas which would benefit existing industry and widen the Region's economic base.

Review of Regional Industrial Policy

Against the economic background a continuing problem remained that Regional Policy discriminated against the West Midlands. Forum had made a number of specific proposals to Government on changes to that policy and had held regular meetings with Industry Ministers.

Immediately prior to the publication of the White Paper "Regional Industrial Development" in the autumn of 1983, Forum had put on record the main changes it would want to see in the policy. Forum responded formally to the White Paper. With the disappointing exception of North Staffordshire, the areas included in the subsequent announcement as being Intermediate Assisted Areas in the Region were exactly as put forward by Forum.

Forum were disappointed that no part of the Region obtained Development Area Status and at the significant cut in the level of national resources available to support the policy. Forum monitored the impact of the policy.

During the period when the review took place the Consortium demonstrated its effectiveness as a regional body. A delegation met the then Secretary of State, Norman Tebbit, and it was felt that the submissions made at that time, backed by a common regional voice, exerted a material influence nationally.

REGIONAL PLANNING

Land-Use

Regional planning continued to be of significance in Forum but alongside a much wider range of activities. Land-use aspects no longer dominated. Amongst the more conventional aspects were the continuation of vital region-wide annual surveys of both residential and industrial land availability. A particular regional activity, which continues to be carried out, has been the West Midlands Aggregates Working Party which also includes representation from industry and Government. (Forum provided the Technical Secretary). Regional work influenced both the National Guidelines for aggregates production and the role of this Region and its needs within that context.

Strategic Issues and Resources

A series of strategic reports covering issues such as Housing, Derelict Buildings, Urban Regeneration and Public Transport were produced at the regional level. Apart from the serious problems they revealed a common theme that emerged was the severe lack of resources. Successive representations were made to Government on these regional issues. Indeed Forum's review of the Regional Strategy inevitably focussed on resources. In pursuing the twin objectives of economic and urban regeneration for the Region a strong advocacy position was adopted on the need for more resources to tackle the real problems we faced. Forum reiterated that the agreed objectives could not be achieved by land-use planning alone.

On a wider front, major efforts were made to convince the Government of the contribution to economic recovery that could be made by an appropriate programme of spending on capital projects—and of the consequential effect of both retaining and encouraging private investment.

Infrastructure

Two examples illustrate Forum's work in this area—the road programme and derelict land. On the road programme there had been increasing concern that the Government's attention, and resources, were focussed disproportionately on the motorway and trunk road programme. While Forum continued to press for the early completion of the Region's strategic network and indeed links to the East and South Coast ports, the critical issue was that of the local roads programme. There was an urgent need for a switch in the emphasis of existing national road resources towards the local road programme—parts of which were crucial to improved industrial access and competitiveness. Forum pressed these issues directly with Ministers and also through WMREC. It was significant that these views were then echoed in the national representations of bodies such as the CBI.

On derelict land, Forum produced a report on the serious regional situation and made specific proposals to the Secretary of State, Kenneth Baker. Forum were directly invited to comment on the Derelict Land Circular, in its draft stage, and views were taken on board in determining national priorities. Forum were particularly concerned that virtually no acknowledgement of the important role of reclamation for environmental purposes was made. Given the high concentration of urban dereliction in this Region, this was critical and Forum were pleased that Circular 28/85 took this on board as part of the Government's priorities. Later approaches to Kenneth Baker centred upon the need for the Region to obtain an increased share of existing derelict land resources.

THE REGION AND THE EEC

It was being increasingly felt that the regional level was the "currency" of the EEC, and Forum recognised the growing significance of its regional advocacy role within the Community at an early stage. EEC issues have become and remain a major priority for Forum.

Analysis of the economic situation in the European Community showed that the West Midlands was in a serious position compared with many of the other regions in Europe. In the period of 1973-82, the decline of the West Midlands economy had been amongst the worst in Europe, as measured by output and unemployment. The continued deterioration in the Region's economy in the mid 1980's meant that the West Midlands remained in a poor position compared with its European counterparts.

Access to Funding

In December 1983, a delegation of Forum members went to Brussels, together with the Region's MEP's to meet the European Commissioners for Regional Policy and for Employment and Social Affairs. This followed a series of submissions that Forum had made to House of Lords Select Committee on, for example, the European Regional Development Fund. Their primary aim was to press for a restructuring of EEC financing to allow for increased financial aid for regions suffering from structural industrial decline and to draw specific attention to the West Midlands Region's situation.

Signer Giolitti, the then Commissioner for Regional Policy, advised that it was likely that new Guidelines would give priority to such regions. Subsequently, Signor Giolitti visited the Region in 1984 at Forum's invitation to see at first hand the effects of the collapse of the Region's metal-based and other industries.

The designation of part of the Region as an Assisted Area brought with it full access to the European Regional Development Fund. Recognition in Brussels of the economic decline of the West Midlands meant a major increase in the level of funding received for projects in the Region from both the Regional and Social Funds.

Major proposals submitted for EEC funding needed to have "regional" support and Forum was able to give such support for the Birmingham International Convention Centre project. In 1986 a Forum delegation made the case for the restoration of Warwickshire as a Social Fund priority area.

To provide a wider context for the consideration of applications for assistance from the EEC, Forum produced a document which supplemented the U.K. Regional Development Programme 1986-90, prepared by Government Departments. This document provided a vehicle for advocating the interests and views of the West Midlands to the EEC, and the U.K. Government.

The Region's MEP's

As well as Forum's regular regional contacts with Commissioners and the Commission, a most important development throughout the period was the holding of regular meetings with West Midlands Region MEP's. The dialogue that was developed ensured that Forum kept aware of events in the European Parliament and MEP's were informed of the current situation in the Region and were in a position to use their influence in the Region's interests. The EEC's Regional and Social Funds was such an example, and it was crucial to exert influence on the formative stages of revised policies.

WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL FORUM OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES 1986-1998

The Forum was an association of the County and Shire District Councils of Hereford and Worcester, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire; the Metropolitan Districts of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton; and the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority. Forum will also reflect the changes resulting from the Following the creation of new Shire Unitary Authorities in the early 1990's, Forum's membership also included Stoke-on-Trent, Herefordshire and the Wrekin.

There have been various forms of a regional association of local authorities in the West Midlands since the mid 1950's, initially to deal with regional strategic planning issues such as the overspill of population from the Metropolitan area. Following a process of evolution and development the Forum was a body which represented the interests of all local authorities in the Region on a wide range of strategic issues including land-use planning, transportation, economic development, the environment and international relations, particularly the European Union.

PURPOSE OF FORUM

Forum provided a mechanism for member authorities to:

— Work together with regional partners to enhance the quality of life of the inhabitants of the West Midlands Region as a whole and to improve and sustain the economy and environment in ways that they could not do individually.

— Receive, analyse and disseminate information on the Region as a background to policy formation locally and regionally.

— Lobby collectively in the interest of the Region within and beyond its boundaries in the UK and Europe.

THE WORK OF FORUM

Advocacy

Forum developed its regional advocacy role on a range of European and Regional Development issues. These included Assisted Areas policy, European funding eligibilities and delivery mechanisms, colliery closures, and the promotion of regionally significant transportation projects.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Regional Planning Guidance

Following a request by the UK Government in 1991, Forum coordinated the production of draft West Midlands Regional Planning Guidance for the Region.

The Guidance was issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment in 1995 and set the framework for future land-use allocation decisions in the West Midlands Region. Key elements of the Guidance which Forum worked towards included:

— the identification of Major Investment Sites within the Region for very large inward investment projects.

— the allocation of land for housing.

— the move towards a more sustainable environment, economic and urban regeneration.

— support for continued investment in the infrastructure of the Region particularly on public transport.

Transportation

Forum worked towards agreed regional transportation strategies and supported major transportation projects such as the modernisation of the West Coast Main Line rail route.

The Forum also developed an integrated Regional Transport Strategy, published in 1998.

Environment

Forum developed arrangements to promote and protect the interests of the Region in relation to waste regulation and other environmental issues, including a Members Regional Environment Panel and Regional Environment Officers Group.

Forum, supported by GOWM, developed the West Midlands Round Table for Sustainable Development (now known as Sustainability West Midlands). The aim of the Round Table, which involved local councils, businesses, environmental groups, GOWM and other statutory bodies, was to create a forum for tackling environmental problems that affect the Region. Following the West Midlands lead, regional Round Tables for Sustainable Development subsequently became enshrined in national Government policy, and similar arrangements were set up in all the other English regions.

Economic Development

Forum was the mechanism through which regional economic development issues were progressed. The work of Forum included key roles in developing regional and sub-regional public/private sector partnerships for inward investment; producing and implementing a Regional Competitiveness Strategy through the Regional Economic Consortium; and implementing a Regional Innovation Strategy.

EUROPE

European Regional Development Strategy

Forum, in response to a request by the European Commission, and with its Consortium partners, produced a Regional European Development Strategy, published in 1993. The Strategy provided the basis for the spending of European funds in the Region and subsequent Single Programming Documents (SPD).

European Policy

Following extensive consultation with Member Local Authorities, Forum produced a European Policy document which set out Forum's aspirations for the West Midlands in Europe.

Funding Programme Links

Forum, together with the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) and regional partners, co-ordinated the production of regional European funding frameworks. Forum and its authorities developed-

— Objectives 2 and 5b programmes with regional and local partners. These provided substantial funds for the continued regeneration of the Region.

— Key funding opportunities across various EU programmes such as Horizon, Quartet, Now, Adapt, Ouverture, Article 10 schemes, Urban, Rechar, Life, and the Regional Innovation Strategy.

Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office

Forum established a Brussels Office with a permanent staff of three to increase contact with the European Commission and European Institutions.

The Office was to be particularly important in ensuring that the views of the Region were heard in Brussels and that greater influence on EU programmes was secured.

Networking

Forum worked closely with many European regions on joint projects. Its member authorities had over 100 formal links with such partners and Forum was a member of the English Regional Association of Local Authorities (ERA's), the Association of European Regions of Industrial Technology (RETI), and the Assembly of European Regions (AER) where it chaired the Regional Planning Sub-Committee.

Forum saw its networking activities becoming increasingly important as the value of exchanges of experience and identification of "best-practice" became recognised.



© Parliamentary copyright 2009	Prepared 13 March 2009