Member Article

Plan of action for C&W economy post-Covid

A bold approach to implement Coventry and Warwickshire’s plan for growth has been developed to reset and recover the area’s economy post-Covid.

Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (CWLEP) proposals to boost the economy are outlined in a new Implementation Plan which highlights the strategic priorities to continue to make Coventry and Warwickshire a safe and attractive place to live, work, study and invest.

The Implementation Plan is built on six pillars of delivery – good jobs and levelling up opportunities, leading innovation, a green sustainable future, bold approaches to enterprise, reimagining communities and forging global connections, and transforming infrastructure – which will shape activities and be the basis for bidding for funding from Government, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine.

Marion Plant OBE, Chair of the Reset Taskforce, Board Director and Chair of the Productivity and Skills Business Group at CWLEP, said partnership-working would be key to the success of the Implementation Plan.

She said: “We are still clearly counting the cost of the pandemic in terms of health and business but there are reasons for optimism, even though there remains many uncertainties and challenges ahead.

“We need to look at how we can help businesses get back on their feet through the help and support which has already been established by the CWLEP Growth Hub, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, our local authorities, and initiatives such as the CW Employment Solutions website.

“A great deal of much-needed and well-received activity has already taken place but there is much, much more to be done.

“The Implementation Plan will help us to drive forward our ambitions and monitor our progress. This is a time of great change and turbulence as well as opportunity and I think Coventry and Warwickshire can face the future with optimism as we build on our strengths and show our innovative skills.

“The collaboration that has been instrumental in securing funding from Government since the CWLEP was formed in 2011 will continue to be pivotal.

“The strong and focused partnership working between all parts of our local economy that has led to the resilience, creativity and agility shown in Coventry and Warwickshire since last March, compared to many other areas, will be vital as we head towards the recovery phase which will be monitored through this Implementation Plan.

“This is a plan that applies to businesses located in all areas across Coventry and Warwickshire and our success will be dependent on strong partnerships to ensure we re-set the economy.”

The CWLEP’s business groups – which are all working to the Strategic Reset Framework – will constantly review the Implementation Plan and report progress back to the LEP’s Board.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .