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Businesses and organisations from across the Marches have come together to help shape the next stage of work to strengthen the region’s long-term resilience, economic growth and environmental security.
The Marches Business Resilience Coalition (MBRC), established through the Marches Forward Partnership, met to review progress made since its inaugural meeting in March.
The coalition brings together public and private sector partners with a common interest in ensuring that investment, infrastructure, environmental management and economic growth are aligned to the region’s future needs.
The discussions focused on how organisations can work together to remove barriers to delivery, unlock investment and build greater resilience for businesses, communities and the environment.
Coalition members received updates on the strategic framework being developed through the partnership, including more detail on the proposals for a regional delivery vehicle, opportunities for greater policy and regulatory flexibility, and how the region can position itself with government.
The emerging outcomes of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme, which is being proposed as the first integrated investment programme through which the partnership can test and demonstrate a new approach, were also shared.
Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said:-
“The meeting gave us an opportunity to explore how a programme of live projects will help build momentum, test new ways of working and create the foundations for larger-scale investment over time. We are keen to find out whether the current priorities are the right ones and what additional requirements need to be considered to support business resilience and economic growth.”
Glyn Preston, Powys County Council Cabinet member with responsibility for economic growth, added:-
“This meeting allowed us to demonstrate what the partnership can deliver for their organisations and to discover where their key assets and risks lie, and how future investment could better align with a regional approach.
“The discussions allowed us to focus on the data, insight and leadership that organisations can bring to support future investment decisions and strengthen our collective case to government.”
The coalition concluded its meeting with agreement on the key messages and priorities that partners want to champion, helping ensure the partnership speaks with a stronger and more coordinated voice on the opportunities and challenges facing the region.
