Budget will tackle biggest challenges, says mayor

The biggest economic challenges in the West Midlands will be tackled following approval of the region's latest budget, mayor Richard Parker says.

A £1.2bn budget for 2025/26 was agreed by members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board a meeting in Wolverhampton, on Friday.

Parker said the plan would help drive economic growth, lead to more social and affordable housing being built, improved transport links and enable people to develop the skills they need to land good quality jobs.

"It will help tackle some of the biggest challenges we face as a region so we can begin to change thousands of lives for the better," he explained.

This year's budget includes £389m as part of the government's Integrated Settlement, which gives the authority power, funding and responsibility for local priorities.

Money has been committed to key transport schemes, including £34m towards railway services and stations on the Birmingham Camp Hill and Walsall to Wolverhampton lines.

Birmingham Eastside Metro extension has been allocated £33.4m, while £84.8m has been committed to the construction of the Black Country Metro tram extension.

Capital spending includes £234.5m for both the WMCA and local councils to deliver work such as highway maintenance, very light rail, cycle and walking schemes and other sustainable travel projects.

Millions will also be committed to supporting the bus network to ensure services are maintained at their current level.

The transport revenue budget includes £61.1m for concessionary travel for older people, children and people with disabilities, as well as £6.9m for accessible transport.

Around £204m will be spent on jobs, skills, training and apprenticeships, £67.7m for new housing, £37.8m on retro-fitting homes and £55.7m to drive economic growth.

Parker had previously confirmed there would be no precept in this year's budget and operational cuts to the WMCA will be made to save £5m.

"Since being elected I have taken action to tackle youth unemployment, secured a £5.5bn Investment Zone to drive economic growth, funded hundreds of new social and affordable homes and made swift progress to bring our buses under public control," he said.

"It is these things – good jobs, affordable homes, efficient public transport and thriving businesses – that matter most to people and that's why they are my priorities."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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