Advantage West Midlands is the regional development agency (RDA) for the West Midlands. We are one of nine RDAs in England established to transform the English regions through sustainable economic development.
The government announced in June 2010 that RDAs will cease to exist beyond March 2012 and that economic development and regeneration will be led by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). Details about the form, function and funding of LEPs are expected with the publication of a government White Paper later in the year.
In addition government funding for RDAs has been cut significantly by £300 million nationally. For Advantage West Midlands this means we are required to make approximately £40 million of savings from our planned expenditure for this year (2010-11).
The size and speed of the cuts to our budget means that we are currently working with our partners to undertake a review of all the projects we fund. We are not in the position to consider any new applications for funding .
Advantage West Midlands will continue to administer European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) until new arrangements are in place. ERDF funding remains available to support new projects that do not require public sector match funding (eg when there is private sector match funding).
Local Authorities and business leaders currently have the opportunity to propose where and how LEPs should be created. We are working with key partners to help ensure the transition to the new arrangements are handled as efficiently as possible.
Advantage West Midlands is committed to supporting economic recovery and the future growth of the West Midlands and we will endeavour to minimise the impact of the abolition of our organisation.