City Region poised to secure new employment and skills powers
The City Region Board meeting on 3rd June endorsed the establishment of a formal structured partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions as part of its negotiations for an employment and skills Multi Area Agreement (MAA). This will lead to the progressive devolution of a range of national employment powers to support the City Region’s commitment to deliver increasing numbers of individuals in sustainable employment with training.
The City Region is now scheduled to sign its employment and skills MAA with the Government in mid July.
The meeting on 3rd June also appointed Councillor Anne Millward, Leader of Dudley MBC to the City Region Employment and Skills Strategic Management Board (ESSMB) to replace the outgoing Leader of Dudley Councillor David Caunt. The ESSMB’s membership is Chair Ben Reid (Mid Counties Coop and Chair of the Black Country Employment and Skills Board), David Hersey (Royal Bank of Scotland, and Chair of the Birmingham and Solihull ESB), Daniel Gidney (Ricoh Arena, and Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire ESB), Alan Taylor (Denso, and Chair of the Telford and Wrekin ESB), Councillor Ken Meeson (Leader Solihull MBC) and Councillor Anne Millward (Leader Dudley MBC). The ESSMB will oversee the development, delivery and monitoring of the MAA. The executive members of the ESSMB are the Regional Director and Deputy of the Learning and Skills Council, the Regional Director of JobCentre Plus, the Chief Executive of Solihull MBC, and the City Region Project Director.
