Solihull Council seeks views on its new economic strategy

Stakeholders, businesses, and residents across Solihull are being encouraged to share their views on the emerging Solihull Economic Strategy 2023-32.

The draft strategy has been developed by Solihull Council in conjunction with key partners and stakeholders and looks at how continued and improved economic growth within Solihull can be delivered over the next decade. Alongside and underpinning this focus on economic growth is a commitment to ensuring:

• All Solihull communities can participate and benefit
• We achieve our net-zero aspirations for the borough
• We create thriving places which become centres of our communities and support local people

Work has been led by the Council 's Sustainable Growth team, who have listened to a wide range of views and held workshops with key stakeholders from across all sectors of the economy, including business, government, education, and industry.

To accompany the new strategy, a Delivery Plan has also been produced, which sets out the practical steps that will need to be taken to achieve the aims identified within the strategy. This document provides a phased plan for the Council and its partners to follow, with a specific focus on the first three years.

Both documents have been designed to sit alongside, and compliment, other key Council strategies such as the Local Plan, Solihull 's ambitious Net Zero Action Plan and Solihull Connected (the council 's transport strategy).

A 6-week public consultation on the updated strategy launched via the Council 's new engagement platform 'Your Voice Solihull ' and will run until Wednesday 15 March 2023.

To view the draft strategy and take part in the consultation visit: https://yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/solihull-economic-strategy

Cllr Ian Courts (pictured), leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said: “Our draft 'Solihull Economic Strategy ' sets out our ambitions and priorities for the next ten years. Working with partners, our vision is to create the UK 's best-connected economy - for business, for people, forever.

“Solihull drives the West Midlands ' economy and our role is only set to increase over the next decade with the arrival of the HS2 Interchange station and further investment planned around UK Central. Our economy already supports more than 151,000 jobs and generates output worth over £9.32bn following sustained growth over the last decade. However, we know our borough also faces challenges.

“Whilst we have succeeded in creating jobs, some of our people struggle to access them - and this mismatch is something we must address. It 's also essential we uphold our commitments to tackling climate change and safeguarding our environment.

“This will entail a need to transition our economy and communities to become more sustainable. Our emerging economic strategy must address these challenges and maximise future opportunities coming to Solihull.

“We believe the ambitions, priorities and actions set out in our draft Strategy and Delivery Plan provide an exciting, fair and achievable road-map for continued borough-wide economic growth over the next decade, but we want to know if you agree with our vision and priorities. ”