Key to the effectiveness of the Black Country Economic Recovery prospectus is the way it links national and regional priorities with action at a local level. It aims to communicate a coherent Black Country narrative in the context of the priorities set by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Key to shaping the prospectus was a policy awayday involving the Black Country LEP Board and leaders, chief executives and directors of regeneration from the four Black Country Councils. As were a series of interviews with key stakeholders leading up to the awayday.

At the core of the document is a five-point plan linked to a programme of interventions and investments designed to drive economic recovery. The five points are: Back Black Country Business; Deliver Skills for Today and The Future; Nurture Green Growth; Create Vibrant, Safe and Healthy Places; and Mobilise Devolution and Public Service Reform.

Shared Intelligence supported the process by facilitating the conversations and awayday; articulating the policy alignment; and crafting the overall narrative.

Shared Intelligence has recently worked on various projects that have aimed to support local authorities develop green jobs, green skills, and the green economy, as a crucial contribution to their efforts in achieving Net Zero and tackling the climate crisis.

Shared Intelligence was commissioned by Friends of the Earth to produce research which defines the action that should be taken by councils to stimulate green jobs. Through identifying the practical tools, challenges, best practice, and gaps in provision of local councils in delivering green jobs and skills, the research produced a set of six recommendations that build on a core set of actions. These include building a green workforce and green job opportunities, publishing local data and evidence on the green economy, and building skills and knowledge among council staff. Our work involved producing a literature review, facilitating conversations and roundtables, and engaging with the reference group and wider stakeholders.

Shared Intelligence has also worked with Barking and Dagenham Borough to produce a comprehensive analysis and review of it’s potential to further develop the green economy. This review covered the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the borough’s approach to the green economy and provided a set of recommendations for development. Shared Intelligence has also completed work for Gloucestershire County on a Local Investment Framework, which brings together evidence on where investment is needed, and identifies the priorities required for achieving carbon reduction and building a greener economy.