West of England Combined Authority (WECA)

Home , Combined authority, West of England

Richard Howroyd Head of Strategic Procurement & Commissioning – B&NES Background

• The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is made up of three of the local authorities in the region – Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. • Working with partners including the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, North Somerset Council and other local service providers to deliver economic growth for the region • Address some of the challenges, such as productivity and skills, housing and transport. Population

Area Population %of area Bristol 449,328 40.16%

South Gloucestershire 274,661 24.55%

North Somerset 209, 944 18.76%

B&NES 184,874 16.52%

TOTAL 1,118,807 100

Note: North Somerset Council part of West of England LEP The Mayor – Tim Bowles Business

• Integrated and locally relevant inward investment and trade services, led by Invest in Bristol & Bath • Support for developing the West of England Growth Hub • More local control over alternative funding sources, such as the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Skills

• Responsibility for the Adult Education Budget (19+ years) from 2018/19, helping the West of England ensure that adult skills provision meets the needs of local businesses and learners. • Co-design with DWP of the new Work and Health Programme (successor to the Work Programme) focusing on supporting those with a health condition or disability and the very long-term unemployed. Bringing forward a pilot scheme to offer intensive support for those furthest from the labour market. • Closer working with central government on the design of local careers and enterprise provision, such as the Careers and Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service. • Developing a local Employment and Skills plan for the West of England. Infrastructure

• £1 billion of investment to deliver infrastructure to boost economic growth. Government will provide £30m a year over a 30-year period. Decisions on which projects to fund will be based on both economic growth and sustainable development principles and will be determined by the WECA Board. • Devolution of multi-year transport budgets, enabling the area to deliver transport projects. • Further powers over transport, including responsibility for a Key Route Network of selected local roads. • The fastest place to find solutions to your business challenges and discover ways to make the most of new opportunities. • First port of call for all businesses looking to engage with any publicly funded business support project. The range of services includes; finance assistance, support for high growth businesses, access to skills packages, manufacturing, innovation and research advice and export support. • Through one innovative, intuitive web portal, you have instant access to an extensive, connected network of business knowledge and skills partners. • Based on a fundamental ethos of community and relationships, the West of England Growth Hub offers benefits to both support providers and businesses looking to grow, establishing a stronger local economic region. [email protected] Procurement Arrangements

• Legally a successor body • Covered by the Public Contract Regulations 2015 • WECA will have its own Contract Standing Orders • In process of setting up Pro Contract which will be accessible via www.Supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk Any Questions?