The Benefits Further information European and International Affairs of Being in Birmingham City Council Council House B1 1BB Europe for T 0044 (0)121 303 4670 Birmingham E [email protected] W distinctlybirmingham.com Recycle after reading Greater Birmingham European and International Strategy 2013–2016 3 “ B irmingham has attracted more than £4 billion worth of foreign direct investment since 2003” SIR ALBERT BORE Leader of Birmingham City Council Contents Foreword 3 1. European funding…transforming Birmingham 4 2. European funding… boosting the local economy by 6 helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow 3. European funding…getting people into work 8 4. European funding…tackling climate change 10 5. European funding….boosting research and innovation 12 6. European funding…helping creativity to flourish 16 7. Europe...a market of 500 million people on our doorstep 18 8. Europe…bringing jobs and investment 20 to Birmingham 9. Where to go…helping us plug in to Europe 22 The Benefits of Being in Europe for Birmingham 1 Foreword The post 2014 funding Co-operating across a Europe without period will potentially see borders also opens perspectives, challenges our thinking and provides us with solutions to EU investment in the city new problems. This takes many forms, such as the development of trade opportunities, college students undertaking work top the £1 billion mark experience abroad, or the discovery of a new breakthrough in scientific research. It is important not to underestimate the impact such projects have beyond their immediate All too often, we hear about the perceived goals. At an individual, human level these drawbacks of EU membership. This are deeply enriching experiences, supporting publication aims to redress the balance by people to develop a wide-range of skills highlighting a series of practical examples of that are specific to their area of work, as European investment and co-operation, and well as equipping them with more practical how this has benefited Greater Birmingham skills necessary in our globalised society. and the West Midlands. Such skills are crucial to our future economic Birmingham’s engagement with Europe prosperity. has been instrumental in helping regenerate This publication highlights three key the city; create trade and investment benefits our engagement in Europe is opportunities for our businesses, as well bringing to Birmingham: as giving numerous people, professionals, students and members of community • European funding – the post 2014 organisations, the opportunity to engage funding period will potentially see EU with new ideas and fresh thinking. investment in the city top the £1 billion The counter-argument some would make mark to Birmingham receiving EU investment • Trade and export – In 2003-2013 nearly is that we are merely accessing money half of all West Midlands exports by which the UK has already paid into the EU. value went to EU countries However, this is arguably far too simplistic a • Inward investment – Birmingham has picture. We have seen that public sector cuts attracted more than £4 billion worth of in the UK have had a disproportionate and foreign direct investment since 2003, adverse impact on cities such as Birmingham. with the creation of more than 15,500 By contrast, the distribution of EU Structural jobs – more than any city outside Funds in the UK, which is overseen by the London. European Commission, has been far fairer, meaning that cities like Birmingham have It is successes like these that this not missed out. Moreover, UK government document celebrates. My ambition is that funding is often only awarded in short we should further harness the connections, funding cycles and by contrast European ideas, and, yes, the funding, that Structural Funding allows, and encourages, membership of Europe can offer to the city. longer term planning with seven year funding cycles. Working with European partners is also enabling our businesses and universities to compete globally. For instance, collaboration with European universities and private sector organisations on research and development is enabling us to more effectively compete against the immense economies of the Sir Albert Bore United States and China. Leader, Birmingham City Council The Benefits of Being in Europe for Birmingham 3 1. European funding… transforming Birmingham Millennium Point European funding building a European Regional Development modern, dynamic city Funding in numbers to date: European funding has injected fresh energy £25.6 million for Millennium Point, the UK’s into the physical landscape of Birmingham. largest ERDF funded project in the period Principally through the use of the European 1994-1997. Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the city council and partners have been able £9.1 million to redevelop Masshouse Circus to build a dynamic 21st century city. This (2001-2003), opening up several commercial physical infrastructure is complemented development sites and removing the inner by a demography which sets Birmingham ring road to improve connectivity in the city. apart: it is a young city, bucking the trend nationally, with 46% of its population under £50 million investment for the International 30 and a super diverse city (42% being Convention Centre (ICC), opening in 1991 from ethnic groups other than white) 1, and now hosting over 350 events and more perfectly placed to tap into Birmingham’s than 300,000 delegates each year. strong entrepreneurial tradition. This entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in the way £3 million to renovate the Town Hall, the city has used EU funding to revive our helping it regain its former splendour, historic buildings, build new ones, increase reopening in 2007 and receiving 150,000 the city’s connectivity and act as a stimulus visitors in 2013. The total project spend to private sector investment. was £33m. One well-known example of funds pump-priming investment is the canal side £30 million invested in the NEC which had development in Brindley Place adjacent to 2.2 million visitors (excluding the LG Arena) the ERDF funded International Convention and hosted 531 exhibitions and conferences Centre (ICC). Following an initial £50 million in 2013. ERDF investment in the ICC, private sector money flowed in and the area is now a Over £6 million invested in Innovation vibrant, high quality business district home to Birmingham – the UK’s 3rd largest science 25 businesses including blue-chip companies park – soon to host the Digital Plaza and some 8,500 employees. Development. 4 The Benefits of Being in Europe for Birmingham Over £3 million invested in the city’s and it’s great that the current revitalisation Hippodrome, Alexandra and Repertory and improvement programme means that theatres. Birmingham will have yet another excellent venue.” Spotlight on: What’s happening next? Millennium Point…boosting the knowledge economy The next EU funding period, post-2014 At the centre of Birmingham’s Eastside potentially will see EU investment in the city District, Millennium Point is at the heart of top the £1 billion mark with a number of new, the city’s learning and innovation quarter. significant investments to further support It is operated by Millennium Point Property Birmingham’s renaissance. Limited on behalf of Millennium Point Trust, whose charitable aims include furthering The new ERDF programme supports three learning and engagement through science, key priorities: business, modern and future technology. • Innovation and research and development Opened to the public in 2001, it was seen • Stimulating business and enterprise as a European path breaker in the drive • Developing low carbon communities towards the development of the knowledge economy. It is a mixed-use technology, ERDF will be used to support the Greater education and visitor-based facility and Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise has become a thriving hub with more than Partnership Sustainable Economic Plan one million visitors every year. The initial and Growth deal and in particular its investment has acted as a catalyst to further game changers which include a focus investment. It now hosts the Think Tank on the opportunities arising from High Science museum, faculties of Birmingham Speed 2 (HS2), a fast rail link connecting City University and the fashion and design Birmingham and the north to London. studios of Birmingham Metropolitan College. In turn, this has stimulated further investment Two HS2 stations are proposed in the Greater in the surrounding area, including the Birmingham area, and the wider benefits of construction of new educational facilities. the UK Central initiative are: £25.6 million of European funding provided • UK Central in Solihull, with an estimated a vital contribution to the total overall cost of 100,000 new jobs and £19.5bn in Gross £114 million for the build. Value Added (GVA) by 2040 Town Hall…European funding • Birmingham Curzon in Birmingham city supporting redevelopment for tourism centre with an estimated 50,000 new jobs £3 million of ERDF funding contributed and £2bn per annum by 2031 to a funding pot of £33m to re-animate Birmingham’s Town Hall which had been This Sustainable Urban Development Plan closed due to the building structure being will have direct economic impacts including: unsafe. The vision behind the funding was • Low carbon and ecological gains for clear: upon reopening in October 2007, communities the Town Hall would be firmly placed as a • The creation of new jobs dynamic and distinctive local and national • Increased connectivity and economic performance venue for a range of cultural, gains for urban and rural communities civic, business and community uses for the people of Birmingham. The ERDF funding contributed to the refurbishment costs leading to job creation, an increase in visitor numbers and expenditure, and environmental enhancements 2. 1 Birmingham City Council census 2011 The importance of the Town Hall was 2 Combined Business Plan Birmingham Town Hall and underlined by Sakari Oramo, Music Director Symphony Hall March 2004.