East Midlands Combined County Authority

Vision unveiled for hundreds of thousands of jobs, new homes and £4.6bn economic boost in the East Midlands

Hundreds of thousands of jobs, a £4.6bn boost to the regional economy and 52,000 new homes are at the heart of Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward’s roadmap for growth to be launched this week.

The new vision for development across the East Midlands is being revealed at UKREiiF in Leeds, the UK’s biggest investment and infrastructure expo, which attracts more than 15,000 delegates from business and government.

It joins the dots between a series of massive development opportunities across the region covered by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The Vision also includes the UK’s only inland freeport and incentivised enterprise zones in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Together, the developments in the new East Midlands Spatial Vison will:

  • Create 100,000 full time jobs
  • Deliver 52,000 new homes
  • Boost the East Midlands economy by £4.6 billion
  • Unlock 4.2 million square metres of commercial space

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am proud of the region the East Midlands is. We are – simultaneously – a £55 billion economy, a world-leading centre for manufacturing and technology, a place of astonishing natural beauty, and a region of internationally resonant heritage.”

“However, pride is not passive, and our Vision for Growth shows what this region has the potential to become. This potential will be realised through a set of substantial commercial development opportunities that we will be sharing at UKREiiF.

“We are focusing on three in particular: the Trent Arc, which connects Nottingham and Derby, the Canal Corridor, which spans Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and the Supercluster, which focuses on three of our decommissioned power stations. These opportunities are a path to prosperity that builds on our existing, unique assets – and I look forward to sharing them with you.”

The Vision has been drawn up with the support of Areli Group, the investment and development specialist whose team has delivered a series of successful landmark schemes across the UK, including the internationally-renowned regeneration of Battersea Power Station in London.

Areli Group CEO Rob Tincknell said: “This is the most significant vision project we’ve been involved in. When you look at the East Midlands’ industrial strengths, the development assets it has, and the fact that it’s now got a Mayor leading from the front, then this is one of the UK’s most deliverable growth opportunities.

“The UK needs to think bigger than ‘development-as-usual’ and that’s exactly what the East Midlands is doing – taking 14 individual investment opportunities and turning them into one connected project broken down into 14 parts.”

Since her election a year ago, Mayor Claire Ward has announced ongoing investments in the East Midland economy totalling £538m including transport, regeneration projects, investment zones and an investment fund.

With the Spatial Vision, the Mayor, Areli and EMCCA have come up with a total of 14 growth opportunities covering energy, industry, transport, placemaking and the region’s growing visitor economy. They include:

  • Canal Corridor – Chesterfield town centre and its mainline rail station, Explore Park Investment Zone, Markham Vale Enterprise Zone, Hartington & Staveley investment zone.
  • Trent Arc – covering Nottingham and Derby city centres, Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Willington power station sites, South Derbyshire Growth Zone, Infinity Park Investment Zone near Rolls-Royce, East Midlands Intermodal Park near Toyota, and the Toton & Chetwynd area.
  • Supercluster – West Burton Power Station (which will host the pioneering nuclear STEP Fusion pilot) and Cottam and High Marnham power station sites.

The Vision also includes emerging proposals for the sustainable expansion of the visitor economy around the Peak District National Park and the Derbyshire Dales, a new destination for leisure, living and business near the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, renewal projects in the towns and village at the heart of the region, and The Loop – a 150-mile trail connecting the East Midlands’ landscape, character, culture and heritage.

Amy Harhoff, CEO of EMCCA, said: “This vision brings forward a series of logical and coherent development opportunities and a joined-up approach to delivery where we will support investors, partners and developers all the way.

“The East Midlands economy has the advanced manufacturing and clean energy opportunities that are going to be vital to the UK’s future growth. Were ready to harness that heft and work with partners to deliver.”

Mayor Claire added: “With the EMCCA team, I’m at UKREiiF to start conversations with development partners who can help us deliver on the huge potential of a hyper-connected region that will have a major role to play in the UK’s future economic growth.”

A delegation of leaders from Chesterfield is currently joining EMCCA at UKREiiF to outline the town’s £2 billion regeneration story. Find out more about investment opportunities in Chesterfield here.

View the latest Chesterfield investment map.

Business leaders give presentation at business and investment conference

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East Midlands Mayor to launch brand new vision for investment at UK’s biggest real estate development showcase

The East Midlands will use the UK’s biggest development and investment event to launch a brand-new vision for the future of the region’s economy.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, will lead a team of partners from across the East Midlands when she unveils the new vision at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds from 20-22 May.

And the region will come together for the first time in a new East Midlands Pavilion, where investors, developers and businesses can meet the Mayor, talk to inward investment teams and hear about a series of major commercial opportunities.

Partners from across the East Midlands will stage a series of events at UKREiiF which will showcase major commercial development destinations like the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Investment Zone.

One of the sites outlined for the East Midlands Investment Zone will be based in Staveley, which aims to bring investment and jobs to the area in advanced manufacturing and green industries.

There will also be a spotlight on the region’s status as a national tourist destination via the new Visit East Midlands initiative, which highlights the Peak District, Sherwood Forest and key visitor attractions.

Its two vibrant cities, Derby and Nottingham, will also be holding investment showcases, highlighting their role as national destinations for advanced manufacturing, life sciences, creative industries, food production and advanced logistics and distribution centres.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The East Midlands is a hidden gem – but it won’t be hidden for much longer. When you join us at UKREiiF, we will be telling this story with a brand-new East Midlands spatial vision – bringing to life the potential for investment, business, and development.

This will be bolstered by a long-term plan for regional growth that’ll give businesses and investors the certainty they need. So come and meet me, my team, and our partners and colleagues from across our region at the East Midlands Pavilion at UKREiiF.”

Mayor Claire will lead an East Midlands team which also includes the leadership team from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), East Midlands Freeport, Marketing Derby, Invest in Nottingham, Invest in Derbyshire and Destination Chesterfield.

Chesterfield is located in the centre of England, next to the M1 motorway. Leading companies in manufacturing, engineering, professional services and construction are already seeing the strategic benefits of locating their businesses in our town.

Find out more about becoming part of Chesterfield’s thriving business community at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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£385 million budget plans approved by the Mayor of the East Midlands

Leaders have approved the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) budget, with a planned total spend of £385 million over the next year.

This funding includes £120 million in extra money the region wouldn’t have received if it didn’t have the Combined County Authority.

Devolution has enabled the creation of EMCCA and a Mayor, which has meant that the region is getting millions more to invest in improving the lives of people who live, work and visit the area.

The bulk of EMCCA’s budget spending will be on public transport and highways maintenance. This includes £66 million to fund major transport projects, £12.8 million to support smaller transport schemes and over £40 million to support and improve bus services across the area. There is also over £75 million to give to local councils to fix their roads, that’s £21.7 million more than the region has had before.

EMCCA is also investing in the region’s future and its workforce, with funding to help boost employment and upskill workers. This includes helping low earning adult learners to get the training they need to develop in their careers, plus it supports projects that helps those with disabilities or health conditions to get into work.

This year’s budget will also help projects that work to improve the economy and make the region greener, whilst boosting advanced manufacturing – like the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ).

There’s also funding going towards improving the visitor experience across the region, support the work to make the East Midlands a great destination to visit and stay.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “We are committed to investing money into areas and projects that make a real difference and are important to local people. This year’s budget shows that devolution is working for the East Midlands as we are getting an extra £120 million that we wouldn’t have received if EMCCA didn’t exist.

“I know that public transport and fixing the state of our roads is hugely important to people, which is why I have allocated over £75 million to our county and city councils to get the potholes filled. We want to make it easier and cheaper for you to get around the region on public transport and we want to give adults and young people the skills they need to get jobs and progress in their careers.

“In the face of financial challenges, I want to ensure we are working with our local council partners to make sure they are getting the fair share of regional funding and that they use this funding to benefit everyone.

“We have ambitious plans for our region and this budget will help us deliver that throughout the next year and beyond.”

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Mayor of the East Midlands invites expressions of interest from voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, is inviting expressions of interest from the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in a new Associate Board member role.

This role is designed to give organisations working in the VCSE a stronger voice in shaping inclusive growth across the region.

The Associate Board Member will:

  •  advocate for the VCSE sector
  •  promote inclusion and support under-represented groups
  •  provide expert insight to inform key decisions

The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I’m focused on driving inclusive growth in our region that benefits everyone. I’m really keen to ensure that the voice of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is heard loud and clear on our Board and I encourage members of our VCSE sector to consider putting themselves forward for this very important role.”

The purpose of this important new role on the EMCCA Board, chaired by Mayor Claire, will be to help ensure the voice of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the East Midlands region is represented on the Board.

The VCSE Associate Board member will be responsible for advocating for the sector, promoting inclusion and addressing the needs of under-represented groups. They will also be expected to draw on their sector expertise to inform decision-making by the EMCCA Board which is chaired by the Mayor.

Through partnerships with key stakeholders across the region, EMCCA has developed a comprehensive set of investment priorities aimed at creating jobs, growing businesses and infrastructure improvements across the region. Its areas of focus will be transport, infrastructure development, housing, delivering on Net Zero goals and economic development. Find out more about the key priorities here: https://www.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk/what-we-do/

The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 31 January. Find out more information and how to apply here

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Business Advisory Board for the East Midlands meets for the first time

Business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the region have been appointed to the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) Business Advisory Board.

Following an extensive recruitment process, 11 business representatives have been recruited to the board, and they met earlier today for the inaugural meeting of the Business Advisory Board, which took place at Bolsover District Council in Derbyshire.

The Business Advisory Board, chaired by David Williams, Chairman of Geldards and EMCCA’s Associate Member for Business, will provide strategy, advice and guidance to the EMCCA Board.

The purpose of the Board is to strengthen the connection between EMCCA and local businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It will help ensure the experience and knowledge of regional businesses, large and small, is harnessed when making decisions on the economy, skills, transport, housing and the transition to net zero.

At the inaugural meeting, members were provided with an overview of EMCCA’s recently launched Inclusive Growth Commission and discussed how the Business Advisory Board will inform its work. The advisory board members also discussed the current investment strategy and pipeline of development currently underway in the region, providing their input and feedback to the plans outlined.

Two Destination Chesterfield Board Members are also represented on the EMCCA Business advisory board; Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber and Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director, Devonshire Group.

David Williams, Chair of the Business Advisory Board said: “I was delighted to welcome members of the Business Advisory Board to our inaugural meeting earlier today. We had an excellent discussion and heard great contributions from our members, who provide good representation from across our region in terms of sectors, geography, and small, medium and large businesses.”

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The Business Advisory Board is an important part of our collaboration with our local businesses and I look forward to hearing the views of board members going forward as we progress our work on the Inclusive Growth Commission, and our investment pipeline for our region.”

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