Economic development Future Foundations
Regeneration zones
Regeneration Zones are one of three key mechanisms through which Advantage West Midlands (AWM) will ensure that the Regional Economic Strategy is delivered. The main thrust of the Regeneration Zones is to connect communities of need with opportunity, through working with a variety of partners including local authorities, Learning Skills Councils, Business Links, Employment Service and the voluntary and community sector. The Zones are envisaged as a long-term initiative, with programmes of action up to 15 years in duration.
There are six regeneration zones in the West Midlands. The concept was launched late in 1999 and in the intervening period much work has been undertaken to map the zone, develop strategies and action plans, and set up the governance arrangements that will oversee the development of the zones over the coming years.
The Walsall Wolverhampton South Staffordshire Regeneration Zone
Why is there a Regeneration Zone in the North Black Country?
The Walsall, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Regeneration Zone has been identified as one of the region's six zones to deliver new and improved social and economic conditions to the area. Local consultations and recommendation led to the agreement of the exact boundaries for the Zone in October 2000 (See map of zone).
The Zone covers areas of Walsall, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire. The Southern area of the Black Country is included in another Zone (West Birmingham and South Black Country). Strong relationships and synergies have been developed between the two Zones in order to ensure that maximum benefit is felt by all living and working in the Black Country.
What are the aims of the zone?
The Zone strategy aims to
"Promote and drive forward - prosperity, entrepreneurship and wealth creation, at the same time as ensuring social inclusion and support for the most vulnerable communities within the Zone."
In order to reflect the regional agenda the strategy has been developed around the four pillars of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES):
| Objectives | Lead organisation | |
| Pillar 1 | Diverse and Dynamic Business Base Promoting diversification into higher growth/key sectors and clusters | Black Country Chamber and Business Link |
| Pillar 2 | Learning and Skilful Region Ensuring that the skills base is in place to maximise 1 and 2 | Black Country Learning and Skills Council |
| Pillar 3 | Creating Conditions for Growth Realising premium opportunities for new economic activity | Wolverhampton City Council |
| Pillar 4 | Regenerating Communities Ensure that the preparatory work is undertaken in local communities to help people access new opportunities (short/medium term) whilst also addressing the long term structural problems of many communities in the Zone area | Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council |
The strategy builds on a number of existing plans in addition to the RES including; the Black Country Regeneration Framework, the Black Country LSC Strategic Plan, The Black Country Chamber and Business Link (BCCBL) Business Plan, Council Economic Development Strategies, Black Country Investment Strategy and other local development plans.
Other key emerging agendas being pursued in the region, led by AWM, are the promotion of a cluster agenda and the development of high-tech corridors.
Further information can be obtained from the Future Foundations web site (External Link)