Moves to put the Midlands on the same footing as the Northern Powerhouse represent a major opportunity to drive economic collaboration, secure investment and boost growth, the chief executive of Nottingham City Council says.
The Midlands Engine, a Government-supported forum which brings together councils, businesses and universities across the region, will come under the spotlight at a conference to be held at Nottingham Trent University in July.
City businesses have now been urged to get involved in an initiative which is “starting to gain national and international recognition and trust”.
Addressing members of the Nottingham Means Business group, City Council chief executive Ian Curryer said: “The Midlands Engine represents a real opportunity to raise our profile and there are good reasons why we need that to happen.
“If you look at fast-growing economies like China, potential investors there think they have two choices in the UK – London and the Northern Powerhouse. They need to know that there is a third choice, the Midlands Engine.
“That choice is based on the fact that we are the beating heart of manufacturing in this country. So on top of the strengths we know we have locally, such as life sciences and big data, the Midlands has one big USP which brings us all together very strongly and you can see that in the manufacturing supply chains.”
Mr Curryer said there were clear benefits to cities, businesses and universities across the Midlands working together to promote the regional economy. The Midlands Engine will focus on investment in cross-regional transport links, driving innovation and research through the region’s universities and developing a skills agenda which meets the needs of key industry sectors.
He said: “If I hear one thing from business it is that the skills offer we currently have is not where it needs to be. We will only change that if we work together to get an offer which is more suited to the needs of businesses and the regional economy.
“So the Midlands Engine is significant, it represents a very big opportunity and we are going to hear more about it at the event at Nottingham Trent University in July. Going forwards, there will be a series of Midlands Engine events and I would urge all businesses to watch out and get involved in something which is critically important.”
Mr Curryer hinted that he expects to see greater cooperation on economic growth between Nottingham and Derby, with the HS2 hub proposed for Toton seen as a key opportunity to exploit a development which could benefit both cities and the districts and boroughs around them.
The emergence of the Midlands Engine initiative comes at a time when attempts to secure a devolution deal for Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire have stalled.
While the broad outline of a deal was agreed as long ago as last November a subsequent Government decision to allow councils to opt out saw six of the original partners in the North Midlands deal decide not to sign up.
Mr Curryer said progress on devolution was unlikely while Government was focusing on the EU Referendum, which takes place next month.
But he added: “Devolution is complex, and there are difficulties both with the politics locally and nationally and the nature of what Government wants us to do. Devolution remains on the table on both sides, and we have an interesting and workable proposal. But we need to break through those politics.”