Laying the Foundations for a New APPG Year

As we begin a new parliamentary session, we wanted to take the opportunity to share an update on some of the work taking place across the APPG and, in particular, the significant activity that has been happening behind the scenes over recent months.

While Parliament was in summer recess, the APPG's work continued at pace. The Secretariat, Vice-Chairs and Advisory Board have been working closely together to prepare for the year ahead, develop our programme of activities and expand opportunities for members to engage with the Group's work.

Building the Foundations for the Year Ahead

A major focus throughout the summer was the development of the APPG's work and events programme. Working alongside our Vice-Chairs and Advisory Board, we have been identifying priorities, shaping workstream objectives and developing a programme of activity designed to address some of the most important opportunities and challenges facing the West Midlands.

Alongside this, considerable effort has gone into planning and scheduling meetings for the year ahead. This has included coordinating meetings for the APPG itself, the Advisory Board and each of our four policy workstreams, helping to provide members with greater visibility of upcoming activity and allowing organisations to plan their involvement well in advance.

We have also been focused on growing and strengthening our Advisory Board membership. Over recent months, we have engaged with a range of organisations from across business, academia, local government and the wider public sector, bringing additional expertise and regional representation into the APPG's work. The strong level of interest we have seen reflects the appetite across the region to contribute to discussions on the future of the West Midlands.

Education and Skills Workstream Meets at Aston University

One of the first major stakeholder engagement activities of the new year took place on 23 September, when the APPG convened a strategy session at Aston University as part of our Education and Skills Workstream.

The session brought together representatives from across education, business and the public sector to consider the implications of the Milburn Review and discuss how the region can continue to improve educational attainment and skills outcomes.

The discussion also explored the potential development of a West Midlands Baccalaureate, drawing on lessons from the successful model introduced in Greater Manchester. The session generated a range of valuable ideas and perspectives which will now be taken forward through the workstream as it develops its programme of work over the coming months.

Advisory Board Returns Following Summer Recess

Later that day, members of the Advisory Board met for the first time since the summer recess.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on feedback received during the APPG's inaugural year, discuss priorities for the months ahead and consider how the Group can continue to strengthen engagement with stakeholders across the region.

As always, the Advisory Board plays an important role in helping to inform the APPG's work, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives and expertise from organisations operating across the West Midlands.

Shaping the Regional Conversation

Representatives from the APPG also recently attended the West Midlands Growth Summit, where leaders from across business, academia and the public sector came together to discuss the region's future growth prospects.

The event provided valuable insight into the key opportunities and challenges facing the West Midlands, including skills, infrastructure, investment and economic growth. These discussions will help inform the APPG's own priorities and workstreams as activity ramps up over the coming year.

Expanding Opportunities for Engagement

One of the key themes emerging from conversations with members has been the importance of ensuring that opportunities to engage with the APPG are accessible and clearly communicated.

In response to this feedback, we have been working to provide greater visibility of planned activity, with meetings scheduled further in advance and a clearer programme of engagement opportunities throughout the year.

We are also committed to ensuring that more of our activity takes place in the West Midlands itself. By holding meetings and events across the region, we hope to make it easier for organisations to participate in discussions, share their expertise and contribute directly to the development of policy ideas and recommendations.

Looking Ahead

The coming months promise to be a busy and exciting period for the APPG. With our workstreams now underway, a growing Advisory Board and a programme of activity already taking shape, we are well positioned to build on the success of our inaugural year.

We look forward to continuing to work with parliamentarians, businesses, universities, local authorities and community stakeholders from across the West Midlands as we champion the region's interests and support its long-term prosperity.

Further updates on recent parliamentary activity and the APPG's plans for the year ahead will be published shortly.