Today’s Spring Budget (Wednesday 15 March) saw, amongst a wide ranging set of measures, a new devolution deal launched that provides further additional funding and flexibilities for the local authorities that make up the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said:
“The budget contained a number of measures to help people and business in the region and I am pleased that, working with government, we have been able to bring more funding and devolved powers to the West Midlands. These measures will boost growth, protect jobs, help to protect our environment and support improved health and wellbeing.
"I am particularly pleased that we have been given approval to create Levelling-up Zones, including one for East Birmingham and North Solihull (including Arden Cross), as this is something that I have been championing for some time.
“Along with approval to retain our business rates growth and additional funds for regeneration and housing, this is a great deal for the West Midlands.”