The four Black Country Leaders have signed up to the Black Country LEP’s Economy of Together Action Plan 2030.

Unique to the Black Country the Economy of Together Action Plan has been developed to use the power and strategic position of the LEP to turbo-boost the Black Country’s social economy, and to drive inclusive economic growth.

The plan defines the Black Country’s collective and ambitious vision and collates the short, mid-term and long-term actions the Black Country LEP, Local Authorities and other key partners are undertaking to make a real difference to communities by the end of the decade.

Kevin Davis is the Board Lead for Social Mobility and Inclusive Growth for the Black Country LEP and CEO of The Vine Trust Group. He said:

“I am extremely proud of the action-oriented, collaborative vision we are setting. In particular our collective aims are to realise: a more equal and equitable Black Country; a better educated Black Country; amore enterprising Black Country, with greater social responsibility; and a healthier Black Country that is environmentally friendly.

“Every organisation and every individual have a role to play in achieving these aims in the next decade. I am particularly delighted that our close partners the four Black Country local authorities and Active Black Country support our Economy of Together 2030 plan. The LEP looks forward to working with them, and many other organisations, closely to help make it a reality.”

A prosperous economy should be beyond the financial, characterised by an equality of inclusive opportunity for all its diverse citizens. The four pillars of focus for the Economy of Together 2030 include:

• Equalities: Enabling equality of opportunity and local institutions that all reflect the diversity of our population, while championing economic growth that is inclusive and drives equitable outcomes.
• Education: Integrating diversity, fairness and equal opportunities into the LEP’s educational involvement, including outcomes from local educational institutions.
• Enterprise: Investing responsibly and locally, enabling the growth and success of social enterprises and entrepreneurs. 
• Environment: Creating a healthier, active Black Countrythat delivers on net-zero ambitions and tackles structural inequalities within physical and mental wellbeing.

The collaborative Action Plan is built around the 4 E’s, building on existing work and new ideas across the sub-region. Importantly, these pillars will intersect each other in the local ecosystem, rather than operating in silos. The Black Country LEP have also highlighted one specific area – health – as having a particularly important cross-cutting influence. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, added:

“I am delighted on behalf of Dudley Council to give my backing to this. It will see the four Black Country authorities working closely together to improve the lives of residents in the boroughs and towns where we live.

”This will tie in nicely with our own plans for Dudley where nearly £1 billion is being invested in regeneration schemes over the next few years.”

The Black Country Economy of Together Action Plan 2030 is available to read and download at blackcountrylep.co.uk.