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Economic Development Programme 1999/00

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 contains details of all the economic development activity and related expenditure for each financial year. It supports the Economic Strategy's Vision for economic and social development in the City as adopted by Birmingham City Council and its Partners in 1998, and the wider objectives of the Regional Economic Strategy to be published in October 1999.

What Budgets are allocated for the development of the Key Areas and their Priorities in 1999/00?

Key Area One: The City Council recognises that 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 will have 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: The City Council's Priorities for Key Area 3 recognise that the 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.