Midlands Way

Smart Growth: the Midlands Way – Consultation Document, Feb 2005

Smart Growth: the Midlands Way outlines a bespoke Midlands response to the challenges of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Sustainable Communities Plan and national productivity drivers. Smart Growth is about how the Midlands can help its own communities, whilst also contributing to the delivery of national targets and objectives.

The work has been led by the two Midlands RDAs - Advantage West Midlands, and emda - working with the two Regional Assemblies and Government Offices. Smart Growth seeks to reinforce and assist in the delivery and implementation of existing regional policy. It neither replaces nor duplicates these strategies, rather it provides a vehicle for accelerated delivery, through improved linkages and cross boundary working. Initial indications have suggested that such an approach could bring real opportunities and benefits for the Midlands.

However there is much to do to determine the detail and form of this initiative. The Smart Growth Consultation Document, published 1^st February 2005, seeks views on the proposed initiative. Your input and assistance would be welcome in shaping and defining the way this initiative should move forward.

The Consultation Document and supporting information can be downloaded through the following link.

The Steering group have identified a series of questions on which comments are sought. This can be downloaded through the following link.
(Consultation Questions)
Comments can be returned either electronically to midlandsway@emd.org.uk or by post to:

Midlands Way
East Midlands Development Agency
FREEPOST LV7525
NOTTINGHAM
NG2 1BR

Further details of consultation events can be downloaded through the following link
(Consultation Framework).

Three consultation events have been arranged to discuss the proposed Smart Growth initiative, and interested parties are invited to attend at the most convenient location or date. The details are as follows, plus a link to to the registration form for each event:

CANCELLED Former Bass brewery, Burton-on-Trent, 3rd March
The event arranged for Burton on 3rd March has unfortunately now been cancelled due to limited interest - however, interested parties should attend either the Birmingham or Loughborough event if possible.
Metropole Hotel, near NEC, Birmingham, 14th March
(LINK TO BIRMINGHAM FORM)
Ford College, Loughborough, 16th March
(LINK TO LOUGHBOROUGH FORM)

The consultation period will end on 30 April 2005. A consultation leaflet can be downloaded through the following link
(Smart Growth Brochure).

Now available the text of Martin Briggs presentation which introduced the Smart Growth strategy at the SCP SUmmit in Manchester on 1st February is available.
(Martin Briggs Presentation Text)