The CPH Economy, Business & Skills Decision Session was scheduled to convene on Monday, 8 September 2025, to discuss the Solihull Economic Strategy Delivery Plan. The meeting was expected to cover progress made against the three-year delivery plan, and consider the related outcomes framework. A recommendation was made to accept additional funding and approve the development of a new delivery plan.

Solihull Economic Strategy Delivery Plan Update

The CPH Economy, Business & Skills Decision Session was scheduled to receive an update on the Solihull Economic Strategy Delivery Plan. The report pack included an overview of the ten-year Economic Strategy, with a focus on Themes A and B, which relate to business, employment and skills.

The report noted that the devolved funding model has allowed prioritisation of projects and programmes that directly support the Strategy and Solihull's business base, with flexibility to adapt to changes in demand.

The report pack stated that there had been progress against 'moonshot' projects, designed to harness the potential of the area. These include the SCALE project, part of the £150 million Connected Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme, and securing 'Growth Zone' status for two sites, at Arden Cross and land next to Damson Parkway.

The report pack also stated that there had been activities to support the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community, predominantly through the commissioned Growth Hub account manager service, alongside specialist programmes that have addressed innovation, sustainability, exporting and creative industries.

The Growth Hub has consistently scored over 80 as its Net Promoter Score (ranging from -100 to +100, over 80 considered excellent). This is a customer loyalty metric that measures the willingness of customers to recommend a company's products or services to others.

Solihull Economic Strategy Delivery Plan Update

The report pack stated that Solihull had continued to commission the 'Enterprise for Success' programme across Solihull and Birmingham. It also noted that an additional sum of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) had been allocated to each local authority, supporting a Mayoral Market Fund to support start-up businesses with opportunities to trade at local markets and support local towns and centres.

The report pack stated that there had been a comprehensive programme of support for businesses responding to climate change, with specialist advisors supporting sustainability action plans, linking to energy audits, Net Zero grant funding for capital investment and commissioned programmes around circular economy¹ and sustainable supply chain development.

The report pack stated that employment and skills delivery relies on external funding from a range of sources to deliver against agreed priorities. It noted that the council's team has established its unique position to support some of the borough's more vulnerable residents to access employment, education and training, whilst enabling employers to recruit inclusively and upskill their workforce.

The report pack stated that the preferred approach has been for direct delivery through the council's Employment and Skills team, with limited commissioning/spot purchasing of interventions where bespoke activity was more appropriate. It noted that double devolution to local authorities from the WMCA² has enabled the council to direct support to where it is most needed, and where there are gaps in provision.

The report pack stated that Employment and Skills projects have consistently over-performed and achieved outputs which are above contractual requirements. It noted that since 2024, quality service standards have been introduced for residents and businesses, and officers are constantly exploring ways to improve and develop the service to meet the changing needs of the labour market and customer needs.

The report pack included a recommendation that Councillor Heather Delaney, Cabinet Portfolio Holder - Economy, Business & Skills, should note the progress and achievements of the Economic Strategy Delivery Plan within the areas of business and skills over the past two years, accept the £22,000 additional devolved UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) as part of the Mayoral Market Fund, supporting start-up businesses and local market activity, and approve that a new draft Delivery Plan covering the period 2026-2028 be developed and brought back to a future decision session for consideration.

The report pack stated that the highlights, opportunities and challenges of the Delivery Plan would be considered in full at Economic Development, Managed Growth and Skills Scrutiny Board, later in September.