Agenda item

Report of the Director of Finance and Resources

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered a report of the Director of Finance and Resources, that set out details of the proposed changes to the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub in order to establish a new West Midlands Growth Hub.

The Committee noted that the report would also be considered by the Coventry Shareholder Committee at its meeting scheduled for 17^th March 2026.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub (CWGH) was established in 2014 and was integrated as part of a successful Coventry and Warwickshire economic area, providing a one-stop centre for local businesses, with advice and guidance on the most appropriate support for their needs.

During the closure process of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) in 2023, the LEP Board, including the Local Authorities across the sub-region, determined that the CWGH should continue as a legacy of the CWLEP.  As a result, the joint (50/50) shareholders of the CWGH are Coventry City Council (CCC) and Warwickshire County Council (WCC).

An Economic Development Functions Review for the West Midlands was undertaken, following agreement at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board meeting in November 2024.  This was driven by concerns about the West Midlands business support landscape being fragmented, making it confusing and ineffective for business. It was proposed that a new model would rationalise public funded support and connect it to the rest of the business support ecosystem.

Key recommendations from the review were agreed at the WMCA Board meeting on 14^th November 2025, which included the formation of a new Economic Delivery Vehicle providing a new consolidated, networked approach to economic development, designed to avoid duplication, overlap and fragmentation.

A key part of these proposals was the establishment of a new West Midlands Growth Hub (WMGH) to lead delivery of a new service for up to 1,500 business in the region with high growth potential.  Given the strength of the CWGH it is proposed that the organisation is best positioned to be the platform for the WMGH, which would continue to be based in Coventry.

It was emphasised that Coventry businesses would still receive the support they require and that knowledge and best practice developed at the CWGH would be applied across the West Midlands.

Similarly, Warwickshire businesses would still benefit from a Growth Hub service in Warwickshire and, by continuing close working relationships between the teams at CCC and WCC, the important Coventry and Warwickshire business geography would still be served in a coherent way.

The report further set out details of the proposed changes required to CWGH in order to establish the new WMGH along with proposed delegated authority to complete due diligence and make the required changes.

The Committee sought and received clarification that the service to Coventry businesses would not deteriorate as a result of the expansion across the West Midlands area and that an annual report on the service would continue to be submitted to the appropriate Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee consider and note the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub transition proposals and confirm that there are no additional recommendations for the Coventry Shareholder Committee.