1. Walsall Enterprise Partnership – A draft proposal March 2011

2. Current Context for Regenerating Walsall HMG focus on Business led recovery & growth. Abolition of AWM by April 2012 – reduced role WRC closed in September 2010. HCA reviewing its future approach. Walsall Partnership reviewing future structures. Approval for a Black Country LEP in Dec 2010. Walsall Council Regeneration directorate service review to complete in Spring 2011. Consistent view that Walsall needs a new Partnership to oversee recovery & growth

3. Focus of future Partnership working Shaping the right conditions/removing the barriers for business led economic recovery & growth in Walsall. Improving business performance. Ensuring Walsall people benefit from existing & future job opportunities. Understanding the ‘added value’ role of public sector partners. Promoting & supporting social enterprise Improving Walsall’s external profile.

4. Components of new approach Private Sector led Board & approach - with majority on the board. Direct relationship to the Black Country LEP Acceptance of LEP priorities and focus on our delivery against them – ‘one agenda’ Clear framework for partner and business engagement – possibly through POWER POWER PEG re-focussed on knowledge & performance role to ensure evidence led model Clear lead delivery role for Walsall Council ‘Lean’ partnership model - no additional costs.

5. Role of Walsall Enterprise Partnership Board Overseeing the development of an integrated, Framework and Plan for Walsall’s economic recovery & growth – consistent with LEP agenda and Local Economic Assessment (LEA) Holding partners to account for delivery of key elements. Ensuring maximum value from mainstream & bespoke investment – ‘Think Walsall’ Tactically & pro-actively raising profile of Walsall Commissioning knowledge and intelligence to inform future approaches & track performance.

6. Focus for Walsall Enterprise Partnership (draft – to be determined) 1. Walsall contribution to LEP priorities: Planning & Transport – ‘business friendly’ development management; sites; infrastructure Developing International Trading opportunities ‘Right’ support for business & access to finance Skills, education and employability Enhancing perceptions – ‘sell’ the BC offer 2. Enabling Activity Strong and diverse housing markets Influencing ‘Quality of life’ factors Flexible, creative use of existing assets

7. Key Success Factors Ensuring right representation on the Board – from target sectors “Sector champions” and our strategically important companies. Partners prepared to be influenced & to ‘align’ their plans & resources to deliver priorities. Effective engagement processes for non-board members. Walsall businesses/wealth creators see value in the partnership approach. Retaining a strategic focus – not operational.

8. Implementation Timetable ActivityProposed Dates ‘Soft’ testing of proposal with partners February/March 11 Walsall Partnership Board consultation March 2011 Informal consultation with Cabinet April 2011 Refine ProposalsApril/May 2011 Walsall Council Cabinet approval June 2011 Launch of new PartnershipJune 2011

9. Appendix 1 Walsall Enterprise Partnership Organisational Diagram (Under review - February 2011) Children’s Partnership Policy Context Local Growth white paper BC JCS & Delivery Plan BC LEA WALSALL PARTNERSHIP BOARD WALSALL LEA & Action Plan Walsall LIP, Town centre framework etc. West Midlands LEP’s Co-ordination Refreshed SCS Partner/Business Engagement Approach (inc POWER) ABCA Health & Wellbeing Board Neighbourhoods & Communities Walsall Enterprise Partnership BC LEP Data, intelligence & performance (formerly PEG ) LEP Walsall Enterprise Partnership - remit Walsall centric approach to supporting Business and skills Strategy/Policy Overview – Housing; Transport; Development Raising the profile of Walsall

10. Appendix 2 Proposed Walsall Enterprise Board Membership Business/Private Sector representatives – ideally sourced from LEA target sectors and strategically important companies Walsall Council – ‘Lead’ member(s) for Regeneration Key Partners – HCA; JCP Education/Skills – sector representative Housing - sector representative Third Sector/Social Enterprise – sector representative Advisors to the Board Walsall Council senior accountable officer POWER Manager Other partner officers BCC Ltd/BC LEP officer liaison