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In these testing economic times it is even more crucial that local government works together to support their communities. Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands has an important role to play in providing support to authorities in order to be able to respond to the recession. In particular, our role is about sharing best practice, supporting capacity building, and promoting learning.
This area of our website is a dedicated resource, highlighting the best ideas and initiatives that authorities in the West Midlands are using to help their communities through these difficult times. Access both national and regional guidance below.
National Guidance and Case Studies
Global slowdown: local solutions II - councils helping people and businesses
The LGA and IDeA have launched this publication to coincide with the first free regional conferences in Exeter and Bradford on the council role in the recession. The collection of case studies shows that councils are still the key players in developing an innovative and effective response to the current economic climate, and that they are already preparing people and businesses to be best placed when the recovery starts. Download a copy of Global slowdown: local solutions II here.
Multi billion pound recovery plan unveiled
A series of proposals which will see councils investing billions of pounds in local economies, and people and small businesses being helped through the recession, have been unvieled by council leaders. In a letter to Hazel Blears, the Local Government Association has set out a ten point plan containing a series of measures which will see councils taking a central role in kickstarting local economies and helping people and businesses through the tough economic climate. Read more.
 Survey of the impact of the economic slowdown on local authorities 2008
This survey was conducted by the LGA Analysis and Research team for the IDeA, LGA and LGE in partnership with the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE). The purpose was to establish an early assessment of how the current economic downturn climate is affecting the people and localities that councils serve, and therefore councils themselves. The results provide a start point in building a national picture of how councils are experiencing the impact of economic downturn in their localities on a consistent basis by examining these experiences as we enter an uncertain period of economic austerity. View the survey.
Economic development and regeneration
The IDeA investigate new forms of partnership working between local authorities and other bodies. They showcase best practice and explore the underlying rationale for intervening in the local economy. View the website here.
Communications in a Recession
An area on the IDeA website which looks at some of the effective ways communication teams can respond to the recession. Read more.
A green way out of recession
With national indicators and the forthcoming Carbon Reduction Commitment, the pressure is on local authorities to cut CO2. And now there’s a recession. Hounslow’s Head of Environmental Strategy Rob Gibson tells Juno Baker why there’s never been a better time to get buy-in for tackling climate change. Read more.
Backing communities: local solutions
Backing communities:local solutions is a joint report by LGA and NCVO highlighting work that local authorities are doing with third sector partners to support local people through the recession. View the report here.
Economic diagnostic tool
While councils focus on dealing with the impact of the recession, it is equally important that they have strong foundations for recovery and longer-term prosperity. This new diagnostic tool is designed to help local authorities promote economic development and fulfil their leadership role in place-shaping. Access it here.
No council of despair, recession guide and checklist
The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) has produced a new guide to help councils develop a coherent, strategic response to the local impact of the recession. It emphasises the value of planning for the long term as well as the medium and short terms.You can download the IDeA guide – no council of despair here.
Supporting the Third Sector in the Recession
A dedicated website set up to support charities and third sector organisations through the recession. Acces the site here.
Vast local differences in impact of recession revealed by new report
The recession has hit blue collar workers in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and South Wales whereas London and the South East have been hit much harder by white collar job losses, according to new research published by the LGA. Read more.
Regional Guidance and Case Studies
Responses to recession - Addressing the social impacts on our communities
A collection of responses to the recession prepared by IEWM's Learning to Deliver Programme. View the links here.
European Economic Recovery - Actions to support the West Midlands’ economic recovery
A short briefing prepared by West Midlands in Europe on the additional funding available from the EU since the economic recession. View the briefing note here.
Support West Midlands
The West Midlands Taskforce, led by Regional Minister Ian Austin, is working to minimise the impact of the current economic downturn on our businesses and our communities. A key priority of the taskforce is to ensure all individuals and businesses in the West Midlands region are aware of the support available to them during the economic downturn. As part of this a new website: www.supportwm.co.uk has been developed to act as a signpost to existing regional and national support.
Economic Update report from the West Midlands Task Force
The West Midlands Taskforce works with stakeholders across the region to produce a monthly economic update. The report summarises key trends and issues in the national and regional economy. The economic update is used by the taskforce to inform partners' responses to the economic downturn and to provide Government Ministers with updates on the key issues faced by the region's businesses and communities. Find the update here.
Telford & Wrekin Borough Council Dealing with the Recession
A case study on how Telford & Wrekin Borough Council's ‘Aspirations’ health and fitness suites are seeing a rise in membership as consumers look for cheaper ways to keep fit. Read more.
Tamworth Borough Council Dealing with the Recession
In September 2008, Tamworth Borough Council’s Corporate Management team commissioned an internal impact assessment on the economic downturn. This was before the full impact of the global financial crisis had become apparent. Read more.
Solihull Housing schemes
The economic downturn is having an adverse effect on affordable housing projects around the country, but Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is looking for the silver lining in the cloud. Read more.
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Tackling Debt
A tackling debt action plan has been developed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and its local partners. Read more.
West Midlands Jobs
The West Midlands Recruitment Portal provides opputunities for careers in local government. Visit www.wmjobs.co.uk.
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