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Economic Development Programme 2000/01

Birmingham - A World Class City

The City Council's vision is that of a world class city with a strong economy that offers all its citizens the opportunity for work and a secure, prosperous future. We want a thriving, multi-racial international City based on a healthy, growing economy.

What is the Economic Development Programme?

The Economic Development Programme details the planned City Council economic development activity and related expenditure for the financial year in support of the Birmingham Economic Strategy Vision and the wider objectives of the West Midlands Regional Economic Strategy approved by Government in January 2000.

City Council Priorities in 2000/01

This year's Programme continues the City Council's efforts to create a successful inclusive approach to Birmingham's regeneration and to ensure a world class city which offers its residents new opportunities and a secure and prosperous future.

The announcement of the disposal of Rover by BMW in March 2000, and its sale to the Phoenix Consortium is a major challenge to the City's economy. The City Council will work closely with the Phoenix Consortium to secure a long-term future for transportation manufacturing. The City Council will also work hard to deliver with key partners, the key recommendation in the Interim Report of the Rover Task Force of a new Technology Corridor.

The Programme therefore contains measures to ensure that Birmingham's regeneration continues successfully. With this in mind, the City Council is determined to continue tackling head-on the economic issues that face our communities, our businesses and our visitors during another challenging period in the City's history.

This year's Programme supports these actions by setting out the steps which the City Council will take to re-shape the provision of economic development and regeneration services in Birmingham to make them more effective and meaningful to our communities. Key actions in this year's programme include:

• Continuing with the regeneration of the City Centre's Eastside, pushing ahead with the Bull Ring re-development, with the construction of Millennium Point and with the other exciting projects that will complete Birmingham's transition into a truly world class city.
• Developing clear strategic outcomes and targets which will have a positive impact on all parts of the City and on the lives of Birmingham residents.
• Paving the way for the revision of the Birmingham Economic Strategy in 2000/01

Budgets and priorities allocated for the development of the Key Areas in 2000/01?

Key Area One: Birmingham's unemployment rate is still more than twice that of the West Midlands Region and the UK as a whole. Much of this problem can be attributed to a lack of relevant qualifications and skills in the local labour force. These problems can be alleviated by training local labour in the skills required for new employment opportunities in the City. Working with partners, for greater impact, the City will take action in the following areas.

Key Area Two: The City Council's Priorities for Key Area 2 recognise that the introduction of the Euro has had a significant impact on the competitiveness of local business, particularly given that Birmingham has a high proportion of businesses in the manufacturing sector. Importance is also attached to the need to further diversify the City's economic activities, particularly given the dual pressures of globalisation and the single currency.

Key Area Three: Modernisation of the local economy is constrained by an inadequate supply of quality land and building stock suitable for the demands of modern business. Importance is attached to attracting back businesses that have relocated out of the City as well as to modernising local transport and communications infrastructure to cope with the demands of modern commerce.