Birmingham regeneration put under new corporation's control

Local TV

A new Mayoral Development Corporation has been launched to oversee Birmingham’s biggest regeneration projects. Leaders say it will cut red tape, unlock billions, and create tens of thousands of jobs. But questions remain over delivery, accountability, and whether local people will see the benefits.

Transcript

00:01The West Midlands has been handed a new vehicle for growth.

00:05A Merrill Development Corporation will take charge of some of the region's biggest schemes.

00:10From the £2 billion Smithfield site to the new HS2 station at Curls of the Street,

00:16the Knowledge Quarter and the Sports Quarter and Dickbutt's Creative Hub.

00:21The promise is simple, cut bureaucracy, unite land and funding under one roof

00:25and bring projects forward in speed.

00:28Leaders say this will give investors the certainty they demand

00:31and unlock billions for the local economy.

00:34The slags are high. The Mayor claims the corporation will create tens of thousands of jobs

00:40that drive growth that communities will actually fill.

00:43The council leader calls it a once in a generation chance

00:46to make Birmingham one of the most investable cities in Britain.

00:50But the questions are obvious. Speed and certainty sound good on pay-bub,

00:55big regeneration projects here have a record of stalling.

01:00A body that pulls the planning powers away from councils could be efficient,

01:04but who gets the final sight if residents oppose parts of the scheme?

01:08And then there's the jobs. Will they go to local workers?

01:12With fair pay and training or will outside contractors take the lion's share?

01:18The Government has put its way behind the plan, with the Chancellor calling Birmingham

01:22the host of the first regional investment summit.

01:25Ministers say confidence is rising, private sector growth is back

01:29and Britain is ranked as the top destination for global investment.

01:33On the ground though, delivery will be the test.

01:36Billions may be in the pipeline, but the measure of success will be

01:40where the ordinary pits sit in their pockets.

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