City Region Board Away Day

The City Region Board held its third annual Away Day on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th October in the pleasant surroundings of Studley Castle in Warwickshire. The meeting reviewed the work and achievements of the partnership over the past twelve months, and discussed and agreed an ambitious work programme for the year ahead.

The Board agreed to two new major policy initiatives – an Accelerated Development Zone, and a Multi Area Agreement for employment and skills. These are reported elsewhere in this edition of the e-bulletin.

Other topics for discussion included support for strategically significant projects that would promote a positive image for the City Region, especially the attraction of new foreign direct investment. The Board also reaffirmed its support for the Preferred Option for the Phase Two revision of the West Midlands Spatial Strategy, and endorsed on-going work to combat climate change across the City Region.

The successful event concluded with an interesting and challenging presentation from John O’Brien, the Chief Executive from London Councils.