Historic devolution agreement reached for the West Midlands

From West Midlands Combined Authority
Senior politicians and business leaders across the West Midlands are hailing the country’s biggest devolution deal to date. The proposed agreement with government will see it make an annual contribution worth £40 million for 30 years to support an overall investment package worth £8 billion, which alongside the creation of up to half a million jobs. 
The proposed deal will give the emerging West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), working  across the geography of the three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the funding and the powers to further grow the regional economy and focus on the issues that really matter to the people and businesses of the region; transport, jobs, skills and homes.
To read the full press release visit the WMCA news page here
You can read the Devolution Agreement Key Points Summary here

From Healthwatch Birmingham – reflecting on the announcement
Healthwatch Birmingham’s role is to ensure patients, public, service users and carers’ experiences of local health and social care services in Birmingham are captured. We use this information to identify avoidable health inequities and to ensure service redesign and improvements reflect the needs and wants of local people.
Key points of the Devolution Agreement include the investment priorities for the region, developments in housing and plans to improve jobs, skills and training. Importantly for health and social care is the transformation of public services, which sees a primary focus on mental health and new approaches to supporting those with multiple support needs.
Candy Perry, Interim CEO, noted the update on the progress of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA):
“The proposed deal should enable the new Authority to focus on important issues like homes, jobs and skills – all of which play a part in improving the health and wellbeing of Birmingham people. We are keen to work with system leaders to ensure the public are at the heart of service redesign more now and in the future as a result of this deal.”
How would you like to be consulted?
We will be asking relevant members of the WMCA about the consultation process to ensure plans are made with peoples’ views in mind.
Share your thoughts with us:

• How do you think you and/or your community will be affected by WMCA plans?
• How would you like the WMCA to consult and engage the public in the development of plans and services?
• How would you like to be consulted about impacts of the WMCA on the health and social care services in your community?

Have your say by getting in touch:
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Via Email:
info@healthwatchbirmingham.co.uk