Your city's Economic/Office News

[sefton66]

Looks like the reduction was pretty much down to Yorkshire and West Midlands then!

Unemployment falls by 19,000 in West Midlands
by Graeme Brown, Birmingham Post May 16 2012

Unemployment has plummeted by 19,000 in the West Midlands in the last quarter – accounting for a large chunk of a 45,000 UK-wide fall.

The jobless total in the region now stands at 228,000, a rate of 8.5 per cent, in the quarter to March, after a third consecutive month of falls.

Across the UK, the jobless total was 2.6 million in the quarter to March, the lowest since last summer, while the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance last month was down by 13,700 to 1.59 million.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/w...#ixzz1v3QQqMFA

[Aaronj09]

Yup.. and unemployment rises in the South East and South West.. the economic forecasters were predicting the complete opposite

[yoshef]

Brilliant news about the next Vauxhall Astra being built at Ellesmere Port, another 700 jobs in 2015 and GM investing £1 billion in UK based supply chain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18098657

[Paul D]

800 jobs according to this Yoshef, that a total of 2100 new jobs created between Vauxhall and Jaguar in the last few weeks.

Vauxhall Ellesmere Port factory to be saved by new Astra deal creating 800 jobs for car plant

VAUXHALL’S Ellesmere Port car plant will today be confirmed as the home of a new Astra model, a third shift and 800 new jobs.

A mass meeting of car workers this morning – guaranteeing Ellesmere Port’s future until 2020 – is expected to pass a deal from US owner General Motors (GM) to keep the plant open, the Post understands.

It will conclude a period of desperate behind the scenes activity by Unite the Union to ensure the plant’s survival.

The Ellesmere Port site came perilously close to being axed with the loss of 2,100 jobs and hundreds of suppliers’ jobs dependent on the plant.

One union source admitted that the implications of the plant’s closure featured prominently throughout their dealings with GM, despite Ellesmere Port being one of the US car maker’s most efficient sites.

The Detroit-based motor giant has vowed to return its European division to profit after it revealed losses of about £180m in the first quarter of this year.

This could involve the closure of at least one, and maybe two, of its plants in Europe.

The Bochum plant in Germany, which employs more than 3,000 workers, could be a casualty.

Thousands of German workers are currently lobbying GM to save jobs.

GM’s new European business model is likely to see Astra production reduced from three sites to two, and these are expected to work around the clock in a bid to reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1v8G0H89A

[Paul D]

Stobart creating growth and jobs

LOGISTICS group Stobart said it can complete development at its Widnes inter-modal site within the next three years, creating up to 2,000 jobs.

The Warrington-based group reported full year figures for the year to February 29 today which showed a rise in revenues from £500.4m last year to £551.9m and pre-tax profits of £30.5m compared with £29.5m previously.

It said all divisions are performing well in the second year of a four year strategic growth plan.

The group, which employs a total of 5,500 staff, operates a road, rail and sea hub at Widnes and Runcorn and is developing a warehousing park linked to the hub which already includes tenants such as supermarket giant Tesco.

Chief executive Andrew Tinkler said interest remains strong from operators keen to develop a presence on the site and he told the Liverpool Post: “We are on plan to deliver that site over the next two or three years and that will deliver a lot of jobs, probably about 1,800 to 2,000 direct jobs, but the knock-on from that could be a total of about 5,000.

“It is warehousing linked to the rail port, where we think volume will pick up.

“There is growth in rail. We have started some new routes and because of the fuel cost rises they are attracting customers.”

Chief operating officer William Stobart added: “We look at routes we are doing by road and look if we can transfer that volume to rail.”

Today’s results showed a small loss at the air division which opened Southend Airport earlier this year, creating 250 jobs. Easyjet and Aer Lingus have signed operator deals for the airport which expects to handle one million passengers in its first year, comprising about 800,000 Easyjet customers.

The fledgling biomass division made an underlying profit of £1.2m while transport and distribution, the biggest division, saw a fall in underlying pre-tax profits from £34.2m to £27.4m as customers dealt with the effects of recession. However, improved operations led to better margins.

The estates division made a normalised pre-tax profit of £12.4m and the infrastructure and civil engineering arm more than doubled its normalised profit contribution to £4.4m.

Mr Tinkler said: “Over the last year we have taken a number of major initiatives across the group which have created the asset base, structure and operational platform to drive up performance and shareholder value in line with our four-year plan.

“Each of the group’s divisions has good growth potential.

“As we enter the second year of our plant we are confident that the changes we are implementing will deliver enhanced value across the group.”

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1v8lye0d9

Liverpool firms reaping World Expo rewards as £6.5m deals agreed

LIVERPOOL’S trade links with China and its sister city Shanghai are beginning to pay off, says regeneration agency Liverpool Vision.

Business deals worth more than £6.5m have been signed between city firms and Chinese partners, facilitated by Liverpool’s six month presence at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

Two separate independent surveys, commissioned by Liverpool Vision, have found that firms who sponsored the Liverpool delegation have secured sales worth more than £3m in the past 12 months.

The research also shows that businesses now trading with China since Expo have clinched orders worth around £3.5m in the same period.

Other findings from the surveys revealed that 25% of sponsors have appointed staff to work on their behalf in China; 30% have secured sales from China, with 60% of these confirming these were partly attributable to their attendance at Expo.

The research also revealed that Liverpool’s Expo sponsors are confident their work in Chinese markets will help them reap rewards with 50% planning to increase their business activities in China, and nearly 60% expecting to generate sales from future activities.

Also, 50% expect their Chinese activities to account for a greater proportion of overall turnover in the future.

Ailsa Horne, head of international and investment at Liverpool Vision, said: “Liverpool approached Expo with priorities in mind – to raise the profile of the city and to enable sponsors and businesses to forge new relationships and contacts with Chinese businesses and investors.

“Expo may have finished, but building on our successful Chinese adventure continues and these findings show that Liverpool businesses are embracing the opportunities created by our links with our sister city of Shanghai, as well as investigating trade links in other parts of the country.”

She added: “Our messages are still getting out there too.

“Throughout Expo, and since, we have secured huge amounts of media coverage, which is designed not only to document our programmes and successes, but to encourage Liverpool and the region’s businesses to look East for business growth.”

Vision also supports trading links with China through its own dedicated business club, It’s Liverpool In China.

Cllr Nick Small, the city council’s cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, is the driving force behind the initiative.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1v8nbvwws

[jrb]

Good news great mates.

MEN

Manchester University awards EC Harris £35m to build innovation hub

Building consultancy EC Harris has been chosen by Manchester University to deliver a £35m innovation hub dedicated to finding ways of commercialising research into the 'wonder material' graphene.

The hub will be operational by 2014 and is backed with funding from the Engineeering and Physical Skills Research Council.

It aims to rapidly establish the UK as the leading world centre for graphene engineering and research technology.

Graphene is a super-strong material discovered by Manchester's Nobel Prize-winning scientists Prof Andre Geim and Prof Kostya Novoselov.

At 200 times stronger than steel and just one atom thick, graphene is the strongest and thinnest material ever measured, and the most conductive.

It has potential uses in electronics, flexible touch-screens,sensors and composite materials.

The innovation hub will provide facilities for researchers and businesses and will include space for graduate start-ups.

Forty global companies have held talks with Manchester University about the possibility of establishing operations at the hub, including IBM, BAE Systems, Samsung and Siemens.

EC Harris was selected as lead consultant for the scheme in a competitive process and is working with architects Jestico + Whiles, CH2M Hill and Ramboll UK.

Also.

Architect Journal. Click on the link to see some interesting Manchester proposals that never saw the light of day. Use search/Manchester.


Jestico + Whiles has been appointed to design the new £35million Innovation Hub for new super-material graphene at the University of Manchester


The facility, plans for which were announced at this year’s MIPIM, will be a world-leading research and incubator centre dedicated to the development of grapheme which is 200 times stronger than steel and just one atom thick.
http://www.jesticowhiles.com/#/projects/9002/

[VoldemortBlack]

Excellent, because before it was due to be operational "by 2015" and now it's "by 2014".

Manchester will be the new Silicon Valley

[jrb]

The man himself, Sir HB.

Also. Click on the PDF link at the bottom of the article. Good PDF covering Manchester's Regeneration Game. Plenty of detail on numerous planned proposals.

Businessdesk North West.

GREATER Manchester's £1.2bn City Deal is "the first public acknowledgement that Manchester is different and its economic contribution is better than any other city", according to the city council's chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein.

Speaking at a BusinessDesk.com debate for a special Regeneration in Greater Manchester guide in association with Addleshaw Goddard, Sir Howard said that the deal was recognition from the government that "we have got to move away from where you get penalised for being successful".

Mike Emmerich, chief executive of strategic body New Economy Manchester, said the way Manchester's city deal works, where Manchester has the chance to earn back extra tax revenues created as a result of investment in major projects, means that the city has an obligation to focus on the type of schemes which will generate the greatest economic growth, in order to build a permanent infrastructure fund which can then be recycled.

"It’s the first time anyone has done anything like that," he said.

Manchester Airport Group chairman Mike Davies also spoke about the prospects for the £690m Airport City schemes, which had been planned for more than five years before the announcement that it would be granted Enterprise Zone status.

"It’s not a child of the Enterprise Zone," he said. "The reason people will go to Airport City or Medipark is because of the total environment – it’s totally self contained. The Enterprise Zone is an additional fillip."

The panel also discussed the prospects for major regeneration schemes such as Medipark, First Street, NOMA and the Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, where a joint bid from Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region's Local Enterprise Partnership led to it being granted Enterprise Zone status in August 2011.

Felicity Goodey, who sits on the Government's advisory panel for Regional Growth Fund bids, added that it was keen to see more "major businesses" submit proposals to the fund for major investment schemes.

"The challenge is to get big and innovative projects to come forward and bid," she said.http://businessdesk.s3.amazonaws.com...ter_Manche.pdf

[jrb]

PNW.

Midas 'helped create 3,000 jobs last year'

17 May 2012, 10:29


Midas, Manchester's inward investment agency, says it exceeded job creation targets across Greater Manchester in 2011/12.

The investment agency's end-of-year figures show that 70 successful projects created 3,114 jobs and assisted in safeguarding 460 jobs. The target was to create 3,000 jobs.

Of the 70 projects, 36 were foreign direct investment, from markets including North America (42%); Asia-Pacific - including China and India (36%); Europe (19%); and the Middle East (3%).

Tim Newns, chief executive of Midas, said: "These results show Greater Manchester in a very strong light, against a year with an economic backdrop heavily affected by the Eurozone crisis and wavering investor confidence globally.

"Growth markets such as India and China have come to the fore with highlights including Indian firm Aegis' creation of 600 jobs and Chinese company ePro's investment in Trafford.

"North America still continues to provide significant investment, with companies such as Americhem and Tygavac adding to Asda Wal-Mart's investment in a new distribution and recycling centre at Kingsway, Rochdale creating 800 jobs in the area.

"Looking ahead, it is important that we continue to enhance Manchester's reputation as a science city in international markets, exploiting not just the potential of leading research areas such as graphene, but the wider research and development opportunities in sectors such as biomedical sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy and environment and digital and ICT, underpinned by the strengths and opportunities at the universities, science park and Enterprise Zone."

In addition to its funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Midas benefited from further support from the sector investment programme, an ERDF-funded initiative aimed at generating growth in key sectors. It has also been working closely with UKTI on a more integrated approach to trade and investment, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding last year.

Michael Oglesby, chairman of Bruntwood and chairman of Midas, added: "There is no doubt that market conditions remain challenging but with the investment that is going in to infrastructure through projects such as the Northern Rail Hub, Airport City Enterprise Zone, Metrolink expansion and next generation broadband, Manchester can continue to grow its reputation globally as a first-class business location.

"Looking at the level of success from overseas markets, it's great to see that Asia-Pacific, including China and India, is representing a significant amount of investment into the city. Midas has been focusing on these growth markets as part of a targeted strategy and it's encouraging to see that these efforts are paying off.

"The internationalisation agenda is vital for Manchester's continuing economic growth in terms of inward investment and exports and it is important that we now build on our work in the BRIC economies and also look to the next growth markets such as Turkey and Korea."

Midas aims to generate and nurture investment across the following sectors in Greater Manchester: biomedical sciences and healthcare; creative, digital and ICT; energy and environment; financial and business services; and advanced manufacturing.

[Pablo Diablo]

Originally Posted by VoldemortBlack

Excellent, because before it was due to be operational "by 2015" and now it's "by 2014".

Manchester will be the new Silicon Valley

Funny that, cos they were saying that about Daresbury (in Halton, Liverpool Bay Area (or City Region)) on the news the other day.

[Paul D]

Deal clinches 'Shanghai-style' scheme for Liverpool region
by Nick Webster.

The dream of seeing a major Chinese investment on the banks of the River Mersey will take a major step forward with the signing of a deal in Bejing.

Wirral Council’s newly elected Leader Cllr Phil Davies will East to witness a deal to develop the Peel International Trade Centre (ITC) at Wirral Waters.

The signing of the joint venture agreement between Peel Holdings and Sam Wa Minerals will see building work begin on the Birkenhead docklands site early in 2013.

Cllr Davies, along with Cllr Jeff Green, Leader of the Conservative Group, and Cllr Tom Harney, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, will meet Chinese investors and representatives from Suzhou and Taicang - Wirral’s 'sister cities' - before attending the signing of the agreement on Tuesday 29th May in Beijing.

The deal will represent the largest single Chinese investment into the UK and will be witnessed by senior representatives from both the British and Chinese Governments.

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Phil Davies said: “Signing this agreement represents a hugely significant milestone in the history of the £4.5bn Wirral Waters project.

"The International Trade Centre will be the first of its kind in the UK and represents an investment of £175m by Peel and its partners in China. It will create upwards of 3000 jobs and will be the catalyst for further investment in the wider Wirral Waters site.

"A lot of work has gone into getting us to this point. It is why the Council has always supported Peel in their efforts to attract Chinese investment and will continue to do so.

"The benefits to Wirral’s economy and our residents from such a major investment and the jobs it will create mean that there is no more important priority for me as I begin my Leadership of the Council."

The ITC is a four-phased development totalling in excess of 2.5 million square feet with plans to enable up to 1,000 separate companies from China, India, South Korea or other emerging economies, to exhibit, sell, assemble and distribute their goods into the UK.

Each building will comprise individual trade showroom units, storage and assembly facilities, serviced offices, a flexible exhibition space and ancillary services.

Lindsay Ashworth, Development Director at Peel said: "Wirral Council has had the courage and vision to work with us to develop links with China. The work we have done together is now reaping significant rewards – rewards that will see the Wirral Waters vision coming to fruition and much needed jobs and regeneration delivered.

"National and local Government support is crucial when conducting negotiations in China. I am very pleased that the Leaders of all three Groups will be supporting this important signing and would like to thank them for their invaluable support to date.”

[kids]

Originally Posted by Pablo Diablo

Funny that, cos they were saying that about Daresbury (in Halton, Liverpool Bay Area (or City Region)) on the news the other day.

They mean it literally though. Graphene could be the new silicon.

[Paul D]

£8.8m payback for Liverpool cruise terminal go-ahead on River Mersey

LIVERPOOL has to pay back £8.8m of a government grant to allow cruises to finally start and finish on the River Mersey.

The repayment of almost the entire £9.2m can be phased over 15 years, making the total cost £12.6m with interest.

It means the start of a new era in the city’s proud maritime history will get underway in a week with the arrival of the 17,500-ton Ocean Countess to become the first liner to use the Pier Head as a “turnaround” location. It is also a victory for the Liverpool Post's Get On Board campaign, which has fought to bring full cruising back to Liverpool.

Transport Minister Mike Penning today lifted the restrictions that meant the landing stage can only be used as a calling point by cruise ships.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “This is a significant milestone in the city’s future. I will not rest until the city is absolutely flourishing in terms of cruise liners visiting Liverpool on a regular basis. This is a city with a maritime history and heritage that is second to none.

“I remember when I was 10 years old, I used to go down to the river and watch the cruise liners come in, cruise liners are part of Liverpool.”

Mayor Anderson has battled to secure the return of liners to the Pier Head since he took charge of the city as council leader in 2010.

Chancellor George Osborne said: “As a North-west MP I have heard and seen how important this issue is and am glad the Government has delivered for Liverpool. I am pleased that the decision will allow cruises to start and finish in the City’s port. I look forward to new jobs and investment, along with liners on the Mersey.”

Liverpool council had agreed to repay whatever sum was recommended by an independent expert called in by the Department for Transport.

Technically the decision is still subject to European Union approval, as it paid £8m towards the landing stage.

So far the EU has not shown any inclination to demand back any of its money.

Mayor Anderson said as far as he was concerned today’s announcement would mean that liners could use the Pier Head for turnaround.

He said the city would “cross that bridge” if and when the European Union requested any repayment of its grant funding.

A temporary facility on the waterfront to handle baggage and passengers will be ready for the arrival of the Ocean Countess, and Mayor Anderson said he is already working to create a permanent facility.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...#ixzz1vbQ3lmz4

[sefton66]

Aero Engine Controls to create new £60 million headquarters
Enda Mullen May 24 2012


An artist's impression of Aero Engine Controls' new £60 million facility

Aero Engine Controls is to build a new £60 million advanced manufacturing and technology facility in Solihull.

The new headquarters for the aeronauticaul engineering company will be built at Birmingham Business Park after being given the green light by Solihull Council's planning committee.

Currently based at Hall Green in Birmingham the selection process is now underway to find a main contractor and it is hoped work on the project will start later this year.

It has been estimated around 70 jobs will be created during the construction process.

AEC will start re-locating more than 1,100 staff to the new facility during 2014.

The 250,000 sq ft building will incorporate technology, design, development, manufacturing and testing capabilities, with associated expansion space.

Simon Burr, CEO of AEC said: “We’re delighted our planning application has been approved. This is fantastic news for everybody at AEC and we can now look towards growing the business for the future.

“The support we have received from Solihull Council has been tremendous. With such a large and complex project such as this, it’s vital that everyone works together to ensure everything proceeds smoothly – and that is exactly what has happened for us.”

Councillor Ken Meeson, leader of Solihull Council said: “Solihull has a world-renowned reputation as a centre of excellence for advanced engineering so it’s great news for the borough that AEC is building its new headquarters here.

“We are delighted to welcome AEC to the growing number of successful businesses, who have chosen to locate in Solihull.”

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmin...#ixzz1voe4c4yP

[sefton66]

£8bn plans to create 95,000 jobs in Birmingham revealed
by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham PostMay 24 2012

Civic leaders are in talks with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg over plans that could create 95,000 new jobs across the region and expand the economy by £8 billion.

Authorities in Birmingham, Solihull and seven other councils have drawn up a wish-list of measures the Government could take to help the region live up to its full potential, including constructing a new £25 million medical centre, pumping funding into a new local transport authority and building thousands of new homes – including some on green belt land, the Birmingham Post can today reveal.

The process has been overseen by the Local Enterprise Partnership, the business organisation led by John Lewis Chief Executive Andy Street, which is backed by local authorities including Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull, Tamworth and Wyre Forest.


The LEP has not formally published its proposals but a copy of the bid document, entitled “driving local economic renaissance”, has been obtained by the Birmingham Post.

It follows the Government’s announcement that it plans to sign “city deals” transferring authority and cash to England’s eight largest cities.

Manchester has already signed a deal which will net it £30 million a year, by allowing the council to keep some of the business taxes that would previously have gone to the Treasury, while Liverpool has signed a city deal which includes a £75 million Government grant to be spent on measures to support employers.

Birmingham has taken a different approach to other cities and allowed the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to take the lead in drawing up the plans, to ensure they involve a range of authorities and not just the city itself.

However, the proposals are the subject of ongoing negotiations between the councils involved, working with the LEP, and Government ministers. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Cities Minister Greg Clark have all been involved in talks, which are being overseen by Nick Clegg.

According to the LEP, the deal is designed to create a net 95,000 private sector jobs by 2020 and increase the size of the local economy by £8 billion over the same period.

It includes plans to build a new medical research institute called the Institute of Translational Medicine, at a cost £25 million. This would create more than 2,000 jobs, according to the LEP.

The aim is to create a “global cluster of excellence in the Life Sciences in Birmingham”, building on the existing expertise and facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston.

LEP Chair Andy Street said: “The City Deal negotiations have been ongoing for several months between the GBSLEP and Government, during which time the picture has, naturally, changed from the one initially presented in the document.

“Delicate negotiations have evolved the complex set of measures contained in the City Deal and we are now close to reaching a resolution with Government.

“Some of the measures identified in the document will appear in different form in the first phase of the City Deal while others, which require more development and deeper discussion and negotiation, may appear in a second phase of the City Deal.

“What this document does do, however, is demonstrate the extent of the ambition of the GBSLEP, our confidence in our dialogue with Government and the consensus reached by the local authorities and business leaders who are members of the LEP over priorities for accelerating growth.”

Councils and the LEP also want UKTI – the Department for Business agency responsible for promoting British businesses overseas – promote Birmingham “as a world class centre for translational research and hub for Life Sciences”.

And the bid includes plans to develop a “Birmingham Healthcare Campus” centred around the Queen Elizabeth and the University of Birmingham, to encourage interaction between scientists and clinicians. This would become a national centre for postgraduate medical education and training, and would also be used to host international medical conferences.

Patients in the region have already received £15 million of free drugs through clinical trials, the bid states.

But the plans would provide residents with “access to more than £100 million of free drugs thereby transforming the healthcare options of the area’s large and ethnically diverse population”.

Other proposals include using land currently owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, a national government agency, to build up to 3,200 homes, mainly in Birmingham, Lichfield and Bromsgrove.

Sites includes the former Rover plant at Longbridge, Birmingham. Plans to redevelop this would create 5,000 jobs, but they have been delayed due to ongoing negotiations with Ministers over requests for a £16 million grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The LEP wants to create a “stewardship committee” involving representatives of the LEP and the Department for Business to decide how the land should be used, although it would continue to be owned for the time being by the Homes and Communities Agency.

The bid document also includes a plea for developers to be allowed to make use of land which is subject to “planning and development-constraints” – including green belt land.

The document states: “Forty per cent of the land-area of the LEP is Green Belt. This figure rises to 92 per cent in Bromsgrove.

“Much of this is treasured agricultural, amenity, leisure and/or protected landscape. Some, however, is land on the urban fringe that might otherwise be attractive for development and which would make an invaluable contribution to meeting the demand for new housing.”

Major reforms to skills and training in the region are planned, in an effort to tackle the region’s skills shortage.

The LEP wants to take over responsibility for skills and training, to ensure schools, colleges and apprenticeship providers are putting the needs of employers first.

Businesses will be encouraged to get directly involved with schools and colleges, in an effort to tackle the region’s long-term skills shortage.

At the moment, firms face a choice between paying for training themselves, or simply leaving it up to the FE sector which may not be providing potential employees with the skills required, according to the bid document.

The LEP wants to take over responsibility for a range of government funds which pay for training and education. It also wants the Government to pay for an extra 500 apprenticeship places.

In return, businesses in the region will offer more support for schools, and increase the number of work experience places available for young people

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/w...#ixzz1vofckIog

[Portobello Red]

[sefton66]

New public transport authority at heart of LEP's ambitions
By Jonathan Walker May 24 2012

Midland councils have told ministers they could create 22,000 jobs and boost the local economy by £1.5 billion if they are allowed to seize control of public transport.

Proposals for a new “local transport body” are included in the “city deal” bid drawn up by Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, representing Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull, Tamworth and Wyre Forest.

The plans have been inherited by Birmingham’s new Labour administration, which seized control of Birmingham City Council from a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition in elections earlier this month. However, officials involved in drawing up the bid consulted opposition politicians as well as the city’s leaders in developing the proposals.

There is no guarantee the ideas set out in the bid document will be accepted by ministers, and the final city deal will be the result of lengthy negotiations.

According to the bid, substantial investment is needed in the region’s transport network to gain the full economic benefits of the planned high speed rail line, which will include two stations in the West Midlands, one in Birmingham city centre and one outside Solihull, near Birmingham Airport.

The document makes no mention of Centro, the existing passenger transport executive responsible for public transport in Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the Black Country. Centro’s authority extends to the boundaries of the old West Midlands County Council, which was abolished in 1986, but this area now contains three LEPs – Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Black Country and Coventry & Warwickshire – which may increasingly become the focus for co-operation between local authorities.

The bid document also states that the new transport body would work “in collaboration with neighbouring areas such as the Black Country on cross-boundary schemes”.

It would take control of funding from both local authorities and central government, and one of its goals will be to improve transport links to the proposed high speed rail stations.

Treasury figures show that £244 is spent on transport per head in the West Midlands region. Ministers have set an ambition of devolving as much transport spending as possible to local bodies.

Through the transport body, the LEP would have “the final say in decision-making” on local transport schemes, and be accountable for them. It would also attempt to “influence” decisions made by transport bodies such as Network Rail and the Highways Agency.

Other proposals in the bid include making Birmingham – rather than London – the national headquarters for the high speed rail project as the new line is being designed and built, “so as to maximise opportunities to develop both the professional service and the advanced manufacturing sector and support the rebalancing of the economy away from London and the South East”.

There would also be an obligation on developers working on the two new stations to ensure they regenerated the surrounding areas.

And Birmingham Airport receives firm backing in the bid document, which states: “We believe that part of the solution to the capacity problem of London’s Airport lies with Birmingham Airport.

Thirty-six million people live within two hours travel time of the airport. This will increase with the arrival of High Speed Rail, which will position it closer to central London (in terms of travelling time) than some of the established airports serving London.

“Considerable investment is underway including the £65 million project to extend the runway allowing bigger, long-range jets to serve the city from as early as 2014. There is an opportunity to recognise this potential in the emerging Aviation Strategy.”

Other proposals include connecting firms in Digbeth, Eastside and the Jewellery Quarter in central Birmingham – an area known as Birmingham’s “digital district” – to super-fast broadband with speeds of 100mbps.

Fast wireless services using 4G technology – faster than the 3G technology now typically used – could also be available across the city.

But the bid document warns that telecommunication companies will only be persuaded to invest in the required infrastructure if there is also significant public funding.

It points out that the area is already home to 21 per cent of the UK video games workforce as well as leading animation and TV production companies and award winning digital agencies. Digital business employ 64,000 people in Birmingham – but this number could rise significantly with the right infrastructure.

The LEP is also calling for a major focus on economic growth in an area it is calling the M42 Economic Gateway, between junctions 4 and 6 of the M42. This includes Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and a major Jaguar Land Rover plant.

The proposals involve allowing the LEP to keep business rates paid by firms in the area for a period of around six years, with the cash spent on measures to grow the local economy. This would include transport improvements which could cost up to £1.5 billion.

And the LEP hopes to create 3,000 jobs in the “green economy” by making energy efficiency improvements to 15,000 houses and 40 public buildings from 2012 to 2015.

It has also asked for the Government to contribute towards a £5.8 million “Green Deal” scheme which would include finding new ways to heat tower blocks and improving energy efficiency in schools.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/w...#ixzz1vuzIMT8i

[Paul D]

Co-op confirms JV talks over Noma

The Co-operative Group has entered into exclusive talks with developers Delancey and Landid to form a joint venture for its £800m Noma development in central Manchester.

The Co-op said the 'announcement represents a milestone for the ambitious project which will transform 20 acres of the city's Northern Gateway into a high quality development, providing 4m square feet of office, residential, retail and leisure space.'

The first phase, the £100m new head office, 1 Angel Square, is due for completion in September, with additional phases coming online throughout the course of the year.

David Pringle, director of NOMA, said: "This represents a great opportunity to bring together businesses of equal pedigree and financial standing. Delancey and Landid have the track record, undoubted talent and complementary expertise that will enable us to drive the Noma project forward in the way we have always intended.

"Delancey have already demonstrated a commitment to Manchester through previous developments, and have an excellent understanding of the national and North West property markets. This, coupled with our shared experience and brand reach, will ensure that investors and occupiers will be comfortable and confident working with both parties.

"We have a shared belief in what Noma can deliver to partners and the city, and we are looking forward to delivering this vision together."

Paul Goswell, managing director of Delancey, added: "Noma is one of the most exciting redevelopment opportunities in the UK today. It is part of an incredibly vibrant city centre and has the critical mass needed to create a new integrated residential and commercial district, in keeping with today's urban lifestyles. We are delighted to be in exclusive talks with The Co-operative and, with our partner Landid, are relishing the challenge of creating something truly special for Manchester."

[VoldemortBlack]

MANCHESTER EVENTS & CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE JUNE 2012

JUNE 2012

Events with exact dates

June 1st - Summerhouse opens in Exchange Square for the Olympics
June 1st - Naked Bike Race starts in Manchester at 6pm in All Saints Park
June 1st - New Venue "Gorilla" will be opening on Whitworth St West
June 2 & 3 - Manchester Castlebeach - beach party and Jubilee Celebrations
June 4th - The Great Manchester Cycle. A new annual event.
June 7th - Metrolink might open today to Oldham Mumps Temp
June 10th - Manchester Day Parade
June 11th - Metrolink scheduled to open to Oldham Mumps Temporary (either today or the 7th)
June 17th - Consultation peroid for 40 storey River Street Development tower ends today. More information & renders perhaps?!
June 16th, 17th and 18th - The Dalai Lama will visit Manchester and make speeches at the MEN Arena as the start of his UK tour.
June 29th, 30th and onwards into July 1st - Stone Roses Concert, Heaton Park. MASSIVE. SR making a comeback, etc.

Events without exact dates

- The Wharf at Castlefield will open
- A decision will be made as to whether platforms 3 and 4 at Salford Central station should be utilised as part of the North West electrification
- "House" - New Islington. 44 new homes will start construction
- The Alchemist will open on New York Street


Have a happy June!

If you want to see the timeline for the next 12 months, check here in an hour or so

[Paul D]

Wirral International Trade Centre multi-million pound deal signed in Beijing

A MULTIMILLION pound deal to local the UK's first international trade centre in Wirral has been signed in Beijing.

The signing ceremony was the culmination of a 10-day trip by Wirral Council's political leaders to support Peel Holdings, who are behind the venture planned for the Birkenhead dockland.

Labour Council leader Phil Davies led the council's delegation, including Tory leader Jeff Green and Lib Dem Tom Harney to present a show of political unity to the Chinese investors.

Cllr Davies said the signing 'is a milestone in the development of the international trade centre.'

Speaking from China yesterday, he said: "This afternoon I spoke to over 100 Chinese businesses who are already demonstrating real commitment to locating in Wirral. This demonstrates our ambitions for proactively pursuing Chinese investment and will yield direct benefits for our local economy and the people of Wirral."

The £200m ITC project will be a 50-50 equity partnership between Peel Holdings and Sam Wa Minerals and is thought to be the biggest Chinese investment in a scheme of this type in the UK.

Stella Shiu, described as 'a high ranking member of the Chinese government' as well as chairman of Sam Wa Minerals, said: "The timing of this project is excellent as Chinese businesses are being encouraged to move out and invest overseas."

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...#ixzz1wF8sWcXC