Panel Discussion – Leadership in the City, Thursday 11th March

Members of Birmingham Future and Forward gathered at Bevan Britten for the first panel discussion event of 2010 – the subject – Leadership in the city.

Chair Anthony McCourt (Birmingham Development Company) was joined by panellists Nick Venning (PwC), Karen Yeomans (AWM) and John Hemming (Lib Dem MP for Yardley).

Asked whether the coalition council had worked John Hemming argued that it had, although conceded that there had been issues – not least the £200million back pay agreement that their predecessors had failed to resolve. Does the current structure of Birmingham City Council deliver? – not according to the members of the audience. Karen Yeomans talked about the Joint Strategy Investment Board which brings together local authority and business and hopes to unblock delivery of new initiatives. But the question remained, are there just too many boards/councils/committees and is the whole process too complicated?

Karen Yeomans said that the biggest challenge currently facing the region was the 40% worklessness rate, well above the national average and argued that only if the public and private sectors some together can the decline be reversed. Nick Venning argued that the division between the sparkling city centre and the disassociated surrounding areas was Birmingham’s most serious issue.

Elected mayors divided opinion. Nick Venning asked whether an elected mayor be a political figure or just somebody who beats the drum for Birmingham. Probably both. John Hemming was against. The floor was 50/50.

Other key issues discussed were the loss of manufacturing, the decline of Cadburys, the class of 09 who have graduated and left because there are no jobs, and, of course, High Speed 2. Earlier that day the government announced investment of £17billion for a new high speed rail link bringing the journey time between Birmingham and London down to 49 minutes. The room agreed that this could only be a positive thing for the region but the enthusiasm was tinged with concern that we might not see it happen.

The evening was rounded off with a show of hands on the key issues. On support for Birmingham Library there was an overwhelming majority, opinion towards the future of AWM was split 50/50. When asked who thought leadership in the city was strong one or two people tentatively raised their hands.

The resounding opinion on the leadership of Birmingham as a city we need much clearer direction and a much stronger voice. Whether that comes in the form of an elected mayor or otherwise remains to be seen.

Kirsty Mack
Chair, Debate Sub-Committee

Head of Stakeholder Relations
University of Birmingham

The Colmore Business Improvement District is go go go…

The Colmore BID is being led by Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future, supported by Birmingham City Centre Partnership and was launched last week at an event hosted by PwC.

The BID Prospectus lists the ten BID pledges, details the key actions that will be undertaken, provides a detailed breakdown of the first year’s budget and explains the voting process for early 2009.

The Colmore Business District is Birmingham’s premier concentration of professional and business service firms and home to some 500 companies that employ almost 24,000 people. The area welcomes many of the city’s business visitors and is due to play a major role in the development of the city centre as detailed in the Big City Plan.

This is the first UK BID with such a high concentration of commercial occupants at over 90%.

A part of the BID’s key pledges is a promise to promote a clear identity for the district and to deliver a high quality and user friendly “streetscape.” Also contained within the prospectus are pledges to make the area safer and cleaner. It is also hoped that the BID will bring a collective voice for the business community within the area and opportunities to network and engage with neighbours.

Within the specific actions detailed by the BID is the recruitment, during the first year, of a team of “street wardens” to provide both meet and greet in addition to safety and security services to staff and visitors alike. There is also a commitment to improve safety with upgraded lighting and other physical improvements and to initiate a range of street and IT based signage and information media.

The BID will be financed by an annual levy being collected by Birmingham City Council. All business sectors will be included and a 1% levy of rateable value will be charged on all properties with a rateable value in excess of £10,000 per annum. The largest occupiers in the district will have their contributions capped.

As part of the prospectus the BID team presented the first year’s spending priorities from an anticipated budget of £680,000. Of this £170,000 (25%) will be allocated to improving the streetscape and public realm environment including the commissioning of sculpture, greening, floral displays and festive lighting.

£160,000 (23.5%) will be set aside to finance the full time uniformed street wardens.

£40,000 (5.9%) will be allocated for the BID caretaker service to ensure maintenance and cleaning is kept up to standard.

At the launch, the team confirmed the BID Ballot timetable.  The Ballot will be conducted by Independent Scrutineer, Electoral Reform Services.

• January 9^th 2009 – Notification of the ballot will be sent out to all those businesses eligible to vote.

• January 19^th 2009 – Ballot papers will be dispatched

• February 27^th 2009 – Ballot will close at 5 pm

• March 2nd 2009 – The result will be announced and if it is in favour, the BID will formally be established for a five year term on April 1^st.

 A not-for-profit company will be formed to run the activities of the BID with a voluntary Board made up of representatives from different sectors of the business community taken from firms situated within the BID area and from other strategic partners. The BID will be run by a dedicated manager and a small support team based in the BID area.

Commenting on the launch of the BID Prospectus, Gary Cardin said; “This is a very exciting initiative for one of the city’s most prestigious business areas. If the BID is successful we will, through the BID company and by working with partners such as Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police, change dramatically the environment and atmosphere of the Colmore Business District.  During the five year term of the BID we are able to invest just under £3.5 million pounds into this important area of the city centre that will significantly improve the landscape for the firms and their staff who work here and also provide a more welcoming and pleasant place for our visitors.”

The ten Colmore Business District BID pledges:

·       Promote a clear identity and profile for the District and the businesses within it.

·       Deliver a high quality and user friendly ‘streetscape’ throughout the District.

·       Achieve enhanced environmental cleaning and maintenance standards.

·       Provide a safe and welcoming business environment.

·       Improve the District’s accessibility and wider city centre connections.

·       Promote local business networking and community  engagement.

·       Operate as an effective business led ‘voice’ with the resources to make things happen.

·       Engage with and support businesses

·       Deliver visible improvements and get things done – it will not be a talking shop.

·       Deliver projects and services that are additional to those provided by Birmingham City Council and others.

Being Future Chair – Matt Taylor

This month, the Birmingham Future Blog welcomes Matt Taylor, of Headline Communications, and Future’s current chair to reflect on taking on the role as chair, and on the Future…

It’s been almost four month’s since I took on the mantle of chairman of Birmingham Future, and as the Christmas season approaches I thought this would be an appropriate time for me to reflect on my time as chair so far.

It was towards the end of July that I suddenly became aware of an overwhelming sense of fear, anticipation and nervousness as the big day approached. No, I’m not talking about the start of the new Premiership season and West Bromwich Albion’s first game against the Arsenal all stars, but rather the Birmingham Future AGM, when I would officially be sworn in, so to speak, as the new chairman.

With more than 100 people expected to be in attendance, including the great and the good of Birmingham, anticipation soon gave way to nausea as my first public appearance as chairman drew closer.

As the clock ticked down 7pm, it was almost time for me to face my worst fear – public speaking. My slot was after Alex Bishop, who I knew would be a hard act to follow, and as the rapturous applause rang around the room signalling the end of Alex’s speech, it was my turn to take centre stage. The next ten minutes would either make or break me.

As I started speaking I could feel the fear and nausea start to subside, the nervousness disappeared and I actually started to enjoy it, sort of. After a few more minutes I was in full swing, delivering my lines like I was back in front of my mirror practicing. Even my jokes seemed to go down well. Then it was over. Applause. I had done it.

That was four months ago, and a lot has happened between then and now. For starters I got married, which meant leaving Birmingham Future in the capable hands of my deputy chairman, Amanda Shearer, while I jetted off to enjoy my honeymoon.

Sadly, while I was away I missed our second ‘Welcome to Birmingham’ event for new graduates, which this year managed to attract more than 250 people at the Council House, and a special roundtable discussion, organised by Future, with senior shadow cabinet member Oliver Letwin MP.

This was an opportunity for us to discuss serious issues that affect our members with one of the Tory Party’s key policy makers. Although I wasn’t there, I’m reliably informed that Mr Letwin left the event feeling very positive, later remarking that we were a “remarkable group of young people”; a statement I wholeheartedly endorse.

 One of the things that has impressed during the four months I have been chairman of Birmingham Future is the enthusiasm and commitment of our members, and of young professionals generally. They are extremely passionate about the city and want to see it thrive and flourish, and are prepared to get stuck in to make this happen.

As the head of an organisation that represents young professionals in Birmingham I feel immensely proud and priviledged and I look forward to the next eight months in office.

Public speaking will still be my least favourite part of the role, but sometimes you just have to get on with it.

And we couldn’t let Matt go without asking him his QuickFire Questions:

What brought you to Birmingham?

Opportunity. When I graduated from Wolverhampton University, Birmingham had a thriving PR and marketing sector, and still does for that matter, so I decided to look for a job in the city. My first role was a junior account executive at an agency called Bertram Gough, which unfortunately is no longer in business. From there I joined Headline Communications, where I have been for six years and am now an account director.

Favourite place in the city?

Depends on what time of year it is. I really enjoy Christmas in Birmingham. There is a real festive feel to the city, particularly with the German Market, which is always a crowd pleaser.

One thing you would change about the city?

It would be unfeasible, but I would pedestrianise Broad Street and have more outdoor markets, such as the farmers market, and outdoor cafés and bars, like in Europe. 

One item to take to a desert island?

Not strictly an ‘item’, but I would take my wife. She’s far more practical than I am.